Founding Member

John Hess was a founding member of Hess Hess & Donnelson LLP. A native Hoosier who graduated from Indiana University in 1965 and from Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington in 1968. From 1968 until 1972, he served in the U.S.. Navy on active duty as a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps. During this time, he tried many court-martial cases and had significant experience representing injured claimants before Physical Evaluation Boards – a precursor for his many years in handling disability cases.

After active duty, John continued to serve in the U.S.. Naval Reserve, retiring in 1989 with the rank of Captain. John was also a former Indiana Deputy Attorney General where he was involved in significant civil and appellate litigation. He had extensive trial experience in numerous areas of the law including: personal injury, product liability, probate, contracts, guardianships, adoptions, divorce and domestic matters.

For 15 years, John concentrated his practice in the areas of Social Security Disability (including SSI cases), probate, wills, and estate planning and administration.