01/04/11 After months and months of planning, the newly formed law firm of Lukenbill & Lukenbill is right on schedule to open this month. Attorneys Kenneth Lukenbill, father, and Adam Lukenbill, son, erected new signage at their offices at 501 E. Jefferson Street in Plymouth last week. They are opening a general civil practice with an emphasis on estate planning and business planning, according to Adam Lukenbill.
Kenneth Lukenbill is excited about partnering with his son, but admits that he never thought it would happen. Kenneth said, “I thought Adam would want to be in larger community.” Actually, Adam had planned on experiencing as much of the world as he could. At one point, he was accepted into the Navy Jag program pending passing the physical exam. However, during the routine entrance physical, doctors discovered that he had a perforated eardrum that prohibited his joining the service. As Adam contemplated his next move that might have landed him in a state or federal position, he began working in the law firm of Stevens, Travis, Fortin, and Lukenbill to gain some experience. He has now been with the firm for the over three years.
As fate often happens, Adam reconnected with a school mate, married and he and wife Sarah (Peacock) can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Ironically, Kenneth had moved to Plymouth from a larger city. He left his hometown of Indianapolis where he was a deputy attorney general working in the highway division after local attorney George Stevens asked him to interview here and relocate. In June of 1972, he did just that and has been a part of the firm for nearly 40 years.
Kenneth said he had always wanted to be a civil engineer, but began seriously thinking about the law during his sophomore year at Indiana University Bloomington. After graduating with a degree in government, he decided to enter Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.
Adam said he never thought about having a career in anything but law, with the exception of a short-lived fantasy of being a fireman when he was eight-years-old. After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1999, he completed a double major at Purdue University in history and political science graduating in 2003. The lure to see the world led him to completing a master’s degree in 2004 at Cambridge University in England. In 2007, he graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington.
Both father and son believe their unique skills compliment each other well. Adam said he sees opening the new offices as an opportunity to propel them into the 21st century using technology. Kenneth brings years his years of experience and business sense to the table.
Joining the Lukenbills will be legal assistants Ellen Hummel and Darlene Hlavacek. Adam Lukenbill said, “I’ve learned a great deal from both of them.” “We are very fortunate to have them make the move with us.” Kenneth said.
Their gratitude also extends to their spouses Penny Lukenbill, Marshall County auditor, and Sarah Lukenbill, who recently left a position in real estate management to return to college. Adam said, “My mother and my wife are very excited for us.” Kenneth’s mother Helen moved to Miller’s Assisted Living Plymouth a few years ago and joins in extending her well wishes for the future.
Kenneth said, “It was a difficult decision to leave Stevens, Travis, Fortin and Lukenbill, but I wanted to see Adam established with his own vision.” Adam said, “I want to continue working with my dad.”
Kenneth is a former Plymouth City Councilman, adjunct instructor at Ancilla College and very active in the First Presbyterian Church and Lions Club. Adam is on the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce Board, the Marshall County Council on Aging Board, Marshall County Historical Society Board, Clerk of Sessions for the First Presbyterian Church and is an adjunct instructor in business law at Ancilla College.
