Limo Service in Zionsville, IN

April 2024

This month, we are pleased to feature Church Church Hittle + Antrim on our cover.

Established as the oldest and most esteemed law firm in Hamilton County, CCHA Law has been a cornerstone of legal expertise since its founding in 1880. Now forging a new alliance with longtime Zionsville residents and founders of Burrus & Sease, Roger [Burrus] and Beth [Sease], CCHA Law emerges as a comprehensive legal powerhouse in Zionsville and beyond, with over 200 years of collective experience.

With the esteemed counsel of CCHA Law, and Roger and Beth joining CCHA Law as Of Counsel, the firm continues its legacy of leadership, augmented by CCHA Law’s full spectrum of legal services.

Four members of CCHA Law’s 56 attorneys shared some details about their professional backgrounds, and reasons why they see the merger as an opportunity for their clients as well as their firm.

ROGER L. BURRUS

For over 41 years, Roger Burrus has provided legal counsel in estate and trust planning, real estate and business law. Following in his father’s footsteps, Roger joined the Zionsville law firm in 1982 after graduating from Valparaiso University School of Law. Roger’s father, Otis Burrus, who was also a prominent member of the community, founded the firm in 1952.

In 2011, the firm became Burrus & Sease, LLP, before merging with Church Church Hittle + Antrim (CCHA Law) in 2023, combining over 70 years of history. Active in the Zionsville community, Roger has held leadership roles and decades of active membership in organizations like the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Club. Roger and his wife Danielle helped establish Christ Lutheran Church of Zionsville in 1984 and have been involved in its leadership. They have three sons and three grandchildren.

Outside of law, Roger enjoys family time, cycling, woodworking and traveling.

Roger recounted the origins of Burrus & Sease and the firm’s journey to a pivotal moment, prompting Roger and Beth to seek out a compatible firm for a merger, enhancing their ability to meet the needs of an expanding clientele.

“Beth and I had talked with a couple of firms about the prospect of merging,” Roger shared. “Andrew Manna, who I’ve known and worked with, came to me asking about renting an office for their attorneys working with local clients. That’s what started the whole conversation.”

Roger continued, “I’d been involved with a couple of significant cases with CCHA Law and knew they are a highly respected and good [law] firm. So, the more Beth and I talked with Andrew, and when we learned that CCHA Law wanted a presence in Zionsville, we said we’d give them more than a ‘presence’ … we’d give them two experienced lawyers who’d like to transition, and it’s been a match made in heaven. Within the CCHA Law group, they have a lot of smart and talented people. Everybody’s working together as a team to get things done for the benefit of our clients.”

BETH A. SEASE

Beth has been practicing law since 1986. She joined CCHA Law after establishing her practice in Zionsville with Burrus & Sease, focusing on estate and trust planning and administration for clients in central Indiana. With a background in tax from her time at Price Waterhouse, Beth crafts personalized plans tailored to each client’s goals for asset growth, protection, and transfer. Her expertise extends to tax considerations, advance directives, charitable giving and end-of-life issues, ensuring comprehensive planning conversations.

Beyond work, Beth enjoys staying active through exercise, reading and organic gardening. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce, contributing to the Advocacy Committee.

Additionally, she chaired the committee to establish Young Life College at DePauw University, her alma mater. Beth and her husband, Dan, reside in Zionsville, actively engaging in the local community where they raised their children.

“There are so many people at CCHA Law [who] are not only skilled thinkers, but they’re also great people who care about clients, just like Roger and I have tried to do here,” Beth stated. “Over the years, we’ve aimed to and have really enjoyed the privilege of being able to get to know our clients, many of [whom] we’ve had long decades of relationships with. There is so much growing in Zionsville and Boone County, so the timing [of the merger with CCHA Law] could not have been more perfect. Roger and I have been thinking about how we were going to help our clients transition one day to somebody else, and I wanted to be able to equip that next attorney with the tools and information to be able to serve my clients well and without a hitch. That was my motivation for the merger. I’m an estate planner, for heaven’s sake. I needed my own succession plan, so this [merger] is a natural next step. What I love about CCHA Law is the model of the firm … they are truly a family. They all collaborate with each other, and the clients benefit from this culture.”

ANDREW A. MANNA

Andrew is entering his 21st year of law practice, with most of that time consisting of K-12 public education services to schools working on behalf of school boards. He specializes in labor and employment law, particularly focusing on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and defending school corporations against claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other constitutional matters.

With a background in education, including teaching social studies in both rural and urban districts, Andrew brings a unique perspective to his legal practice. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University and later interned in the Office of the Governor on education policy while attending the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis.

A sought-after speaker, Andrew presents on various topics at both state and national levels, covering areas such as reasonable accommodations, special education, and workplace issues. He is also an active member of the National School Board Association’s Council of School Attorneys. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys family time, running and watching football.

“It has been a neat synergy working together and bringing the two firms together,” Andrew expressed. “Roger and Beth are involved in the community, and it’s a similar approach to advocacy and engagement that the CCHA Law folks have. Whether it’s the Lions Club or Zionsville Youth Football Program or Team Nebo Ridge bicycling club, our attorneys and all of our CCHA Law employees tend to be involved in all these different networks, churches and community organizations.”

Andrew added, “We enjoy helping schools and not-for-profits in all different areas. The attorneys we have living in the Zionsville and Whitestown areas will get involved with whatever they choose to get involved with, and I’m sure we’ll have CCHA Law sponsorships and engagements with local groups and organizations just as we’ve enjoyed in Hamilton County and in the other communities where we have CCHA Law offices in the state.”

ISAAC PETERSON

Isaac, an associate attorney at CCHA Law, specializes in estate planning, business services and personal injury law. His expertise spans estate planning, probate and trust administration, contract drafting and disputes, corporate formation, and personal injury cases. A Zionsville native, Isaac graduated from Zionsville Community High School in 2016 and earned his Bachelor of Science from Indiana University Kelley School of Business. He later graduated from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he excelled in Phi Delta Phi honor society and Moot Court.

Outside of work, Isaac enjoys traveling with his wife, Bailee, attending Traders Point Christian Church, playing soccer, exploring local restaurants, and attending concerts. He’s also a licensed U.S. soccer referee and an enthusiastic fan of various sports teams, including U.S. soccer, the Hoosiers, the Colts, the Pacers and Indy 11.

“I cannot emphasize enough how thankful I am for Zionsville Schools,” Isaac stated. “I just got married in November, and we hope to raise a family here. Something I love about our firm, especially as a new associate, is the firm’s willingness to let you join in on a project or client meeting, and everyone is happy to have you help and learn. When I was a clerk for CCHA Law, they did a rotation program where you basically sample all the different types of law, and that’s something that I don’t think a lot of other firms allow their clerks to do. I think that CCHA Law is very unique in that all of our attorneys tend to be very well-rounded.”

As we near another end-of-year school cycle, the discussion of preparing college-bound children for life as legal adults is prevalent among Isaac’s clients and fellow Zionsville residents. Isaac shared that it is important for new and existing clients with children who are turning or have turned 18 years old to start thinking about estate planning, and, more importantly, about having a Health Care Advance Directive or a power of attorney for health care in place, especially before they leave for college.

“The beauty of meeting with us is that we can plan for tomorrow, today,” Isaac said. “For young adults going off to college, if you get sick or hurt, the doctor can’t legally tell your parents any of the healthcare-related details because you’re 18 or older. You can come here to our office and get those documents in the event something happens, and your parents will be able to be involved and advocate on your behalf if necessary.”

CCHA Law fulfills every legal need with a holistic approach. CCHA Law’s expanded offerings encompass a breadth of legal expertise, including estate planning and administration, family law, personal injury, business services, real estate and mediation. Rooted in CCHA Law’s commitment to its neighbors, CCHA Law stands prepared to address all your legal needs and anticipate the challenges of the future.

CCHA Law extends its reach across Indiana with offices in Fishers, Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Noblesville, Tipton, Westfield and now Zionsville. Whether you seek guidance in complex legal matters or support in navigating personal affairs, CCHA Law is here to serve you with excellence and dedication.

For more information on Church Church Hittle + Antrim, visit the website at cchalaw.com or call the CCHA Law Zionsville office at: 317-873-2150.

A Zionsville resident has created a “one-stop shop” for busy moms.

A mom of one daughter, Vikki Duke founded Insomnia Mom in the fall of 2023 with the goal of helping busy women and moms “organize, balance and direct” their lives.

“I started coming up with the idea about six years ago,” Duke said. “I myself was a busy mom and would have loved a place or company to go to with things I needed to relieve the mental load of everyday stressors.”

Insomnia Mom is a Zionsville-based business that caters to busy moms and women across Indiana. The company has an array of consultants who help with tutoring for children, offer college advice, financial education, share small business expertise and more. Each consultant specializes in a different area regarding different needs.

“We have over a dozen consultants helping support parents through multiple life challenges,” Duke said. “From kids with ADHD or a neurodiverse diagnosis to college readiness. We can help with aging parents, organization — all sorts of things that range everywhere from personal needs to help with family support for women. We’re the stop for every age and stage of life.”

Consultants Kathy BeMiller and Sarah Benneyworth were in moms groups with Duke and decided to get involved with the business.

“I’ve recruited them to help me collaborate and perfect this model once I decided we’d launch,” Duke said.

BeMiller, a communications expert who works in communications for Insomnia Mom, said she was “immediately intrigued” when Duke told her about the idea for the company.

“To be a part of a business whose goal it is to provide resources and support to all women excites me,” BeMiller said. “I understand the demands our busy society puts on women and the demands we put on ourselves. Providing communications expertise to spread the word about

Insomnia Mom and our consultants, through print and digital media, brings me so much joy.”

Benneyworth, an organized life facilitator and Insomnia Mom’s resource director, said she is honored to work with the company.

“Knowing Vikki and her tenacity and history of successful endeavors, I knew this would not fail,” Benneyworth said. “My absolute favorite part about this company is that we truly are women helping women. We are here to lift women up, not only our clients but also our consultants who are women with their own small businesses that need support, encouragement and guidance.”

Insomnia Mom will hold the grand opening for its office space at COhatch at 75 N. Main St. in Zionsville at 4 p.m. March 20. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce will take place on the front steps of the building.

“We had our soft launch, which is super common for startups or any company,” Duke said. “We did it to get recruitment and clientele and to sharpen our services. The hard launch is to do more of the public relations part. We are ready to say we’re launching. We’ve got our model and want to extend our services. We figured spring was a great time to do that.”

Duke said a company like Insomnia Mom did not exist when she became a mom. She has spent several years designing it and conducted a soft launch last fall.

“We want to help with the mental load of things to keep lives moving smoothly so that we can help women focus on what truly matters, like finding time for ourselves, our friends and our families,” Duke said.

Duke, who has lived in Zionsville for 12 years, said the name Insomnia Mom is derived from the stressors that keep moms up at night.

Outside of her work with Insomnia Mom, Duke is a full-time Realtor at Schuster Duke Realty Group. A Chicago, native, she attended DePaul University and St. Xavier University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.

Duke is still applying her college knowledge to her work at Insomnia Mom.

“I was a schoolteacher and then moved to Zionsville and opened a tutoring company, which I had for many years,” Duke said. “I became a full-time Realtor and decided to take the tutoring company and put it under the umbrella of Insomnia Mom with all of our other services.”

Duke believes her business will also cater to women seeking to learn more about the small business community.

“It (connects) women in our community who own small businesses with the women in our community who need those small business services,” Duke said. “There’s really no model like that where we are bringing together women small business owners with women who need those services, and also giving them a hub and communication to offer personalized, flexible local support and resources within our community.”

Insomnia Mom will hold community events throughout Zionsville and at COhatch several times a year. Events include live workshops, virtual meetings and on-demand and digital libraries.

For more about the company and events, visit insomniamom.com.

What: The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Insomnia Moms will include an open house to meet consultants.

When: March 20

Time: 4 p.m.

Where: COhatch at 75 N. Main St. in Zionsville.

*Paid for and authorized by Friends for Jane Burgess*

Exceptional leadership and a passion for community service are two of Jane Burgess’ many qualities that make her not only a remarkable member of the Zionsville community but also the ideal candidate for mayor.

Jane’s background in education and volunteerism combined with her experience in community leadership are precisely what Zionsville needs … and deserves.

A PROVEN LEADER WITH A PASSION FOR ZIONSVILLE

Jane was elected to and served on three Zionsville School Boards from 2008 to 2020 and helped the school system successfully navigate significant financial challenges. She is an Elder at Zionsville Presbyterian Church and has been married to her husband Claude for 31 years.

Together, they are parents to two adult children: Kristin and Thomas.

The relationships that Jane has forged over the past two decades have provided deep roots throughout the community as well as a greater level of awareness of what people need and expect from their local elected officials in terms of knowledge and leadership.

“As mayor, I will be a champion of the community,” Jane expressed. “My 20+ years of experience leading organizations and boards has taught me valuable skills that I will bring to this office. For 12 years I was an elected member of the Zionsville School Board, serving as President and helping solve challenges that have kept our Zionsville schools receiving the Blue-Ribbon awards they deserve. I will put this same determination to work for our community — every day.”

SECURING ZIONSVILLE’S FUTURE

In addition, Jane has posted detailed plans to her campaign website that explain her goals for immediately improving the town’s financial status, its bond rating, and our overall reputation. “I am running for mayor because I want to make sure that what makes Zionsville unique and special endures,” Jane stated. “And because I believe Zionsville deserves better. If I have the honor of being elected as mayor, my first order of business is to get our financial house back in order. We need to restore the trust, transparency, collaboration and cooperation between the town council, the town departments and the mayor’s office in order to move Zionsville forward.”

Jane has outlined plans [available for review on her website] for economic development, public safety, infrastructure and the implementation of critical training, such as cybersecurity for all town employees. Jane plans to strengthen not just the town’s internal communications but also its in-house processes — specifically financial — to ensure better practices, accountability and transparency of its financial positions going forward.

“Without a doubt, the town’s leadership needs to be working together and working efficiently in the spirit of growth and prosperity,” Jane emphasized. “I will bring the vision to get us moving forward in the right direction again.”

Jane added, “While it is important to preserve our thriving Main Street and the charm that makes Zionsville special and unique, I recognize the importance of smart economic development and diversifying our tax base. We will focus on filling Creekside Corporate Park and we will explore the many other areas in our 67 square miles — including the land surrounding the airport and Perry Township — to bring good jobs and improve our quality of life. Zionsville IS open for business.”

While Jane is ready to take immediate action on day 1 if elected mayor, she is also looking beyond the horizon with an understanding that this election will have lasting effects on Zionsville’s future.

“I am excited for what lies ahead for Zionsville and for what it can become,” Jane said. “It is such an amazing place, and with smart economic development, planning, transparency and collaborative efforts, we can make Zionsville an even better place to live, learn and work — a place that our kids and young people will want to come back to and raise their families.”

For more information on Jane Burgess for Zionsville Mayor, including in-depth details on her Plan for Smart Development & Jobs, Public Safety Support, The Gateway Project and Beyond, Traffic and Infrastructure and more, visit janeforzvillemayor.com.

Since opening her clothing store in the Zionsville village in 2009, Lesley Jane Hunt has been heavily involved in the local business community, particularly in helping solidify Christmas in the Village as a monthlong annual tradition.

With her impending retirement at year’s end, Hunt said she knows she will miss her time along the bricks of Main Street.

“I went into it not thinking that I was ever going to make a million dollars out of this. I just wanted to make a comfortable living, that’s it,” Hunt said. “I also just love the interaction with people. I thrive on that because it’s been a part of my career forever.”

In 2002, Hunt purchased Captain Logan, a home goods and antiques shop that used to occupy the storefront. She ran the business until 2009, when she incorporated Lesley Jane. After a long career in marketing and advertising, Hunt said she decided it was time to get back into the fashion industry.

Erica Carpenter, owner of Fivethirty Home and president of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce, said Hunt has been a mentor and an inspiration to her since her business opened in Zionsville in 2012. However, Carpenter said the impact Hunt has had in the community has gone far beyond her mentorship.

“When I was in (Lesley’s) store the other day, a woman came in and thanked Lesley for all the joy that she had brought for all these years,” Carpenter said. “I really think that’s true. I think that Lesley has done so much, not just for our merchants, but for the entire Zionsville community.”

Through her contributions to the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce and Zionsville Education Foundation Board, employing young people in the community and providing guidance to other business owners, Carpenter said Hunt has touched many lives.

Hunt joined the chamber in 2009, and in 2013 served as the chair of the Christmas in the Village Committee within the chamber. During that time, Hunt played a significant role in helping lay the bricks to make Christmas in the Village a monthlong event instead of a weekend festival as it had previously been.

“It was a no-brainer for me to join the chamber,” Hunt said. “It takes a village and merchants to really bring about change, and we need to support each other, so that’s why I got involved.”

Hunt said at first, there weren’t enough financial resources to make Christmas in the Village a monthlong event. The Town of Zionsville and the Boone County Visitors Bureau provided the chamber funding to promote it, she said, and eventually Zionsville merchants provided the funding necessary to make all the events possible, including the parade, trolley rides, horse and carriage rides, carolers and other features.

Carpenter said the efforts the community made to turn Christmas in the Village into a monthlong celebration sowed the seeds for traditions that Zionsville enjoys to this day.

“This reimagination of Christmas in the Village 10 years ago helped to set it up as a way to honor the old traditions while also helping create the new traditions,” Carpenter said. “Here we are, 10 years in almost, and the same people are participating in it. It’s exactly what we envisioned at that time come to life, so it’s really fun to watch.”

Hunt said it has been exciting to see how supportive residents have been of area businesses and seeing the new faces that have come to Zionsville because of Christmas in the Village.

“I realize people are going to shop for the holidays, anyway, but it is so wonderful that we’ve created a fun experience all the way through the month and attracted people from other communities,” Hunt said.

Above all, Hunt said she is grateful to have had the opportunity to be welcomed into the community and to have built a strong camaraderie with fellow business owners and area residents. The hardest part about retiring, Hunt said, will be missing out on interactions with the Zionsville community.

“I really think the key to Zionsville’s success is its residents. If there was ever any doubt that residents would support the businesses here, COVID proved how supportive they could be,” Hunt said. “These people have given as much, if not more, to me than they say I’ve given to them.”

Lesley Jane Hunt recalled ways that the town of Zionsville came together to help revamp Christmas in the Village in its transition to a monthlong event during her time on the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce, while also recalling past Christmas in the Village events.

Fun facts:

Fishers, Brownsburg and Noblesville also made the list.

Credit: Derek Stauder for WTHR

INDIANAPOLIS — Carmel, Zionsville and Westfield were named among the top 10 small cities in America in a recent study.

WalletHub compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 to find which small cities outshine the rest. A panel of experts took into account 43 indicators of livability ranging from housing costs to school-system quality to restaurants per capita.

Nearly half of Americans (43%) say they'd prefer to live in the suburbs. The study found Carmel, a suburb north of Indianapolis, is among the best of the best.

MORE: WalletHub's full list of Best Small Cities in America

Carmel was ranked the second-best small city in America, falling just behind Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which took the top spot.

At 7th place, Zionsville was not far behind. The study gave Zionsville a well above-average score for quality of life, economic health, education and safety.

Westfield was named the 10th best city in the country. Like Zionsville, it had a high quality of life score. Westfield was also named the best suburb to move to in 2021 by Homes.com.

RELATED: Westfield ranked best suburb to move to in 2021

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Fishers, Brownsburg and Noblesville also made WalletHub's list.

Fishers placed 26th, with high scores for quality of life, economic health and education.

Brownsburg was named the 56th best small city in America. Brownsburg had similar high scores for economic health, education, quality of life and safety.

And, Noblesville made the list at 74th. It boasts high scores for economic health and quality of life.

Although Indianapolis didn't qualify for WalletHub's study, it's worth noting that the Circle City made TIME magazine's list of "World's Greatest Places of 2021" and last year it was ranked the second most affordable vacation hotspot in the U.S.

RELATED: TIME magazine lists Indianapolis as one of 'World's Greatest Places of 2021'

RELATED: Indianapolis ranked 2nd most affordable vacation hotspot in the US