Attorneys and Staff
Richard J. Lesniak
Richard J. Lesniak
Mr. Lesniak was born in East Chicago, Indiana
(1939), graduated from Bishop Noll High School
(1957), obtained his A.B. from Wabash College
(1961) and received his law degree from Indiana
University (1964).
Mr. Lesniak is a life long resident of Lake County,
Indiana, presently residing in Schererville. His
family has been in business in Lake County,
Indiana, for 100 years.
Mr. Lesniak was admitted to the Indiana Bar in
1964. He has worked as a title examiner and
(1939), graduated from Bishop Noll High School
(1957), obtained his A.B. from Wabash College
(1961) and received his law degree from Indiana
University (1964).
Mr. Lesniak is a life long resident of Lake County,
Indiana, presently residing in Schererville. His
family has been in business in Lake County,
Indiana, for 100 years.
Mr. Lesniak was admitted to the Indiana Bar in
1964. He has worked as a title examiner and
William A. O'Rourke
Mr. O’Rourke is a life long resident of Lake
County. Born in East Chicago, raised in
Hammond, he is now a resident of Munster. After
graduating from St. Joseph’s College he enrolled
in Chicago’s Loyola University where he obtained
his Masters Degree in Urban Planning. While a
student at Loyola, he received a graduate
fellowship from the University and was hired as an
intern in Richard J. Daley’s Department of
Economic Development. Shortly after his
graduation from Loyola he was hired by the City of
Hammond and within three years was named
director of Planning and Redevelopment for the
County. Born in East Chicago, raised in
Hammond, he is now a resident of Munster. After
graduating from St. Joseph’s College he enrolled
in Chicago’s Loyola University where he obtained
his Masters Degree in Urban Planning. While a
student at Loyola, he received a graduate
fellowship from the University and was hired as an
intern in Richard J. Daley’s Department of
Economic Development. Shortly after his
graduation from Loyola he was hired by the City of
Hammond and within three years was named
director of Planning and Redevelopment for the
city. This educational and occupational background have lead to one his specialties, zoning and
related land use matters. He has practiced before virtually every plan commission in the county.
While employed by the City of Hammond he enrolled in and graduated from De Paul University’s
School of Law. Upon graduation from De Paul he tendered his resignation to the City of
Hammond and entered the practice of law in 1978.
Among his clients are several local school corporations. He has represented the Lake Station
Community School Corporation since 1992, the School Town of Munster since 1988 and he has
provided labor counsel to the School City of East Chicago for a period inexcessive 15 years. He
has served as chief negotiator for management at the collective bargaining table in both the public
and private sectors.
For a fourteen year period (1991-2004) he presided over the Criminal Court call in Hammond City
Court. In that capacity he presided over thousands of traffic and criminal misdemeanor matters
including driving while suspended and operating while intoxicated. He presently represents
clients in all criminal misdemeanor matters.
He is admitted to practice in both Indiana and Illinois as well as the United State District Courts for
both the Northern and Southern Districts. He is a member of the Lake County Bar Association
and the prestigious Calumet American Inn of Court. A state certified mediator, he is frequently
called upon to both mediate and arbitrate pending disputes.
For the past ten years he has represented Lake County Board of Commissioners. He represents
Advance Financial Federal Credit Union and Unicorp Federal Credit Union.
related land use matters. He has practiced before virtually every plan commission in the county.
While employed by the City of Hammond he enrolled in and graduated from De Paul University’s
School of Law. Upon graduation from De Paul he tendered his resignation to the City of
Hammond and entered the practice of law in 1978.
Among his clients are several local school corporations. He has represented the Lake Station
Community School Corporation since 1992, the School Town of Munster since 1988 and he has
provided labor counsel to the School City of East Chicago for a period inexcessive 15 years. He
has served as chief negotiator for management at the collective bargaining table in both the public
and private sectors.
For a fourteen year period (1991-2004) he presided over the Criminal Court call in Hammond City
Court. In that capacity he presided over thousands of traffic and criminal misdemeanor matters
including driving while suspended and operating while intoxicated. He presently represents
clients in all criminal misdemeanor matters.
He is admitted to practice in both Indiana and Illinois as well as the United State District Courts for
both the Northern and Southern Districts. He is a member of the Lake County Bar Association
and the prestigious Calumet American Inn of Court. A state certified mediator, he is frequently
called upon to both mediate and arbitrate pending disputes.
For the past ten years he has represented Lake County Board of Commissioners. He represents
Advance Financial Federal Credit Union and Unicorp Federal Credit Union.
Douglas L. Shaw
industry before pursuing his lifelong desire of becoming an attorney. In 2003, Doug graduated
from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in History and Political Science. During his time at Pitt,
Doug also studied Elementary Education and served as a substitute teacher while completing his
studies. Upon graduation from Pitt, Doug moved to Indiana and attended Valparaiso University of
Law where he received his J.D. in December 2005.
While attending law school Doug served as Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Judge Julia Jent in
Porter Superior Court and also worked with Federal Defenders for the Northern District of Indiana,
Lake County Felony Public Defenders as well as the Office of the Porter County Prosecutor.
Upon finishing his J.D., Doug was admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern
Districts of Indiana and the Indiana State Bar. Doug is also a member of the American Bar
Association and the American Association for Justice.
Prior to joining Lesniak O'Rourke, Doug was a Staff Attorney for the State of Indiana Department
of Child Services. In addition to his practice, Doug has also served as Pro Bono Attorney for the
Indiana Bar Association.
Doug's practice consists mostly of Traffic/OWI and Criminal Defense, Family Law, Juvenile Law,
Education Law, Civil Litigation and Bankruptcy.
Doug currently resides in Crown Point, with his wife Tara and daughter Caroline.
from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in History and Political Science. During his time at Pitt,
Doug also studied Elementary Education and served as a substitute teacher while completing his
studies. Upon graduation from Pitt, Doug moved to Indiana and attended Valparaiso University of
Law where he received his J.D. in December 2005.
While attending law school Doug served as Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Judge Julia Jent in
Porter Superior Court and also worked with Federal Defenders for the Northern District of Indiana,
Lake County Felony Public Defenders as well as the Office of the Porter County Prosecutor.
Upon finishing his J.D., Doug was admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern
Districts of Indiana and the Indiana State Bar. Doug is also a member of the American Bar
Association and the American Association for Justice.
Prior to joining Lesniak O'Rourke, Doug was a Staff Attorney for the State of Indiana Department
of Child Services. In addition to his practice, Doug has also served as Pro Bono Attorney for the
Indiana Bar Association.
Doug's practice consists mostly of Traffic/OWI and Criminal Defense, Family Law, Juvenile Law,
Education Law, Civil Litigation and Bankruptcy.
Doug currently resides in Crown Point, with his wife Tara and daughter Caroline.
Norma L. Novak
Norma has been the stabilizing force, effecting smooth transitions.
She has a professional attitude, the ability, knowledge and experience, to know what to do. Each
case is given individual attention because it is someone’s concern or problem. Her
organizational skills were recognized early in her career with the firm. Norma was first assigned
the task of organizing and overseeing the administration of personal injuries cases; corporations
and insurance subrogation were soon added to her responsibilities. Now, with more than twenty-
five (25) years experience dealing with insurance subrogation, she is the supervisor and
paralegal for our State Farm Subrogation cases, handling and overseeing every aspect of the
cases from initial intake, filing suit to collection of judgments. The firm presently represents State
Farm in Northwestern Indiana.
Norma puts new meaning into the term “multi-tasking.” In addition to her responsibilities in the
Subrogation Department, she is the firm’s Administrator. As such, she directs our support staff,
organizes the case load, and has responsibilities for all the management activities of the office. In
2004, Norma designed our new Schererville Office, dealt with the contractors and supervised the
move. She is also the firms representative in the Schererville Chamber of Commerce.
Norma is an avid golfer. When not playing golf, gardening, traveling, working-out and home
projects occupy her time. She is a member of St. Maria Goretti Church.
She has a professional attitude, the ability, knowledge and experience, to know what to do. Each
case is given individual attention because it is someone’s concern or problem. Her
organizational skills were recognized early in her career with the firm. Norma was first assigned
the task of organizing and overseeing the administration of personal injuries cases; corporations
and insurance subrogation were soon added to her responsibilities. Now, with more than twenty-
five (25) years experience dealing with insurance subrogation, she is the supervisor and
paralegal for our State Farm Subrogation cases, handling and overseeing every aspect of the
cases from initial intake, filing suit to collection of judgments. The firm presently represents State
Farm in Northwestern Indiana.
Norma puts new meaning into the term “multi-tasking.” In addition to her responsibilities in the
Subrogation Department, she is the firm’s Administrator. As such, she directs our support staff,
organizes the case load, and has responsibilities for all the management activities of the office. In
2004, Norma designed our new Schererville Office, dealt with the contractors and supervised the
move. She is also the firms representative in the Schererville Chamber of Commerce.
Norma is an avid golfer. When not playing golf, gardening, traveling, working-out and home
projects occupy her time. She is a member of St. Maria Goretti Church.
Damaris Escobedo
Damaris Escobedo is a life long resident of Lake
County, Indiana. She was born in East Chicago,
and now resides in Schererville with her husband
and two sons.
Damaris joined the firm, then Richard J. Lesniak
and Associates, in 2000, as its receptionist. The
firm quickly realized Damaris’s talent for
organization and eye for detail. She was
promoted to legal secretary. As the firm’s
subrogation department grew, it became apparent
that a person was needed who could work on her
own, move cases along, handle payments and
County, Indiana. She was born in East Chicago,
and now resides in Schererville with her husband
and two sons.
Damaris joined the firm, then Richard J. Lesniak
and Associates, in 2000, as its receptionist. The
firm quickly realized Damaris’s talent for
organization and eye for detail. She was
promoted to legal secretary. As the firm’s
subrogation department grew, it became apparent
that a person was needed who could work on her
own, move cases along, handle payments and
case inquiries. Damaris was that person and still is a very influential part of the day to day
operations.
Damaris is also busy with her two sons, who are active in the Tri-Town Pop Warner Football,
Indian Wrestling Club out of Lake Central High School, and, Schererville Baseball and Soccer.
Damaris belongs to St. Michael Church.
operations.
Damaris is also busy with her two sons, who are active in the Tri-Town Pop Warner Football,
Indian Wrestling Club out of Lake Central High School, and, Schererville Baseball and Soccer.
Damaris belongs to St. Michael Church.
Lesniak O'Rourke
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escrow agent for Chicago Title Insurance Company and was a Lake County Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney before he went into private practice. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S.
District Court, Northern District of Indiana.
Mr. Lesniak is a former Indiana State Representative, representing Lake County, Indiana, during
which time he also served as the Democratic Caucus Chairman in the Indiana House of
Representatives.
He has over forty (40) years of legal experience. If asked what his speciality is, he will reply that he
is a general civil law practitioner with extensive experience in civil litigation, family law, real estate,
probate and municipal law.
He has represented the School City of East Chicago and the East Chicago Public Library as their
general counsel for over fifteen (15) years and other governmental units. Through this
representation he has had extensive responsibilities in municipal financing and construction
projects involving six (6) schools and two (2) libraries. He has also been involved in marina
projects, waste water treatment projects and river boat construction.
Besides his civic representation, Mr. Lesniak represents individuals in matters such as real
estate transactions, deeds and wills and the more complex issues of real estate taxes,
condemnation, family law, probate, trusts and all types of civil litigation. He also represents the
business community in matters of incorporation, partnerships agreements, leases, construction,
and buy/sell agreements.
Mr. Lesniak is a member of the Lake County and Indiana State Bar Association.
Attorney before he went into private practice. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S.
District Court, Northern District of Indiana.
Mr. Lesniak is a former Indiana State Representative, representing Lake County, Indiana, during
which time he also served as the Democratic Caucus Chairman in the Indiana House of
Representatives.
He has over forty (40) years of legal experience. If asked what his speciality is, he will reply that he
is a general civil law practitioner with extensive experience in civil litigation, family law, real estate,
probate and municipal law.
He has represented the School City of East Chicago and the East Chicago Public Library as their
general counsel for over fifteen (15) years and other governmental units. Through this
representation he has had extensive responsibilities in municipal financing and construction
projects involving six (6) schools and two (2) libraries. He has also been involved in marina
projects, waste water treatment projects and river boat construction.
Besides his civic representation, Mr. Lesniak represents individuals in matters such as real
estate transactions, deeds and wills and the more complex issues of real estate taxes,
condemnation, family law, probate, trusts and all types of civil litigation. He also represents the
business community in matters of incorporation, partnerships agreements, leases, construction,
and buy/sell agreements.
Mr. Lesniak is a member of the Lake County and Indiana State Bar Association.
Attorney Douglas L. Shaw is an Associate at
Lesniak O'Rourke.
Douglas L. Shaw was born in Bradford,
Pennsylvania. As a teenager, his family moved to
Anaheim, California where he attended high
school. After a brief return to Pennsylvania, Doug
again found himself in California while serving in
the United States Navy. Trained as a sonar
technician, Doug served during the period of time
leading up to the Gulf War.
Doug spent nearly a decade in the automotive
Lesniak O'Rourke.
Douglas L. Shaw was born in Bradford,
Pennsylvania. As a teenager, his family moved to
Anaheim, California where he attended high
school. After a brief return to Pennsylvania, Doug
again found himself in California while serving in
the United States Navy. Trained as a sonar
technician, Doug served during the period of time
leading up to the Gulf War.
Doug spent nearly a decade in the automotive
Norma Novak’s early years were spent in Florida
on U.S. Naval Air bases in Pensacola and
Jacksonville, Florida, where her father was a flight
instructor. She graduated from T.F. South High
School in Lansing, Illinois, and attended Purdue
University. Since 1972, she has lived in Dyer.
Norma Novak has over thirty (30) years of legal
administrative experience. She first came to the
original firm in 1974 as the Administrative
Assistant. Since then, the firm has undergone
several name changes and has changed
locations. Through all the changes and moves,
on U.S. Naval Air bases in Pensacola and
Jacksonville, Florida, where her father was a flight
instructor. She graduated from T.F. South High
School in Lansing, Illinois, and attended Purdue
University. Since 1972, she has lived in Dyer.
Norma Novak has over thirty (30) years of legal
administrative experience. She first came to the
original firm in 1974 as the Administrative
Assistant. Since then, the firm has undergone
several name changes and has changed
locations. Through all the changes and moves,