In 1937, R.M. Kroger and John E. Gardis founded a law firm on a handshake and a shared philosophy of fairness and integrity. “Our word was our bond, never anything in writing, as we trusted each other implicitly.”  Don and John would split their fees evenly and when there was an odd penny, it went to Don one week and to John the next.  In 1945, they were joined by William J. Regas, and they began practicing as Kroger Gardis & Regas locating their offices on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana where it is still located today.

More than seven decades later, Kroger Gardis & Regas is among Indiana’s most well-regarded and longstanding law firms, employing a team of professionals who are experienced and recognized in their fields of law.   Our firm’s commitment is to uphold our founders’ vision of providing our clients cost-effective results in an atmosphere of professional excellence and integrity.

As the firm grew in the 1970’s, it expanded its practice into all facets of business law in Indianapolis and surrounding communities, including complex commercial and business litigation, financing (including TIFF financing and other means of public/private economic development activities), and banking representation in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana. It later expanded its practice to include municipal representation, providing counsel and litigation support to Indiana cities and towns, and special service districts.  Our attorneys regularly serve as counsel to local Boards and Commissions, and offer frequent lectures on government law to assist government officials, decision makers and employees. On a daily basis we assist our clients with general municipal law issues, economic development (to include redevelopment, zoning, annexation, and redistricting disputes), as well as labor and employment, public access laws and questions of governmental liability and immunity.

Our attorneys’ knowledge, experience and working relationships enable us to maintain the reputation we have earned throughout the state.

McDonald Kroger (1912-2002) was born in Indianapolis, IN on June 3, 1912. He was admitted to the bar in 1935 in Indiana and in 1956 in the U.S. Supreme Court. He was educated at Indiana University, and he received his law degree from the Indiana Law School. He was also a past chairman of the Indianapolis Bar Association as well as a member of the Indiana, Federal, and American Bar Associations. He also was the treasurer and a member of the Lawyers Association of Indianapolis.

John E. Gardis (1909-2001) was born in Tripoli, Greece on March 20, 1909. He was admitted to the bar in 1937 in Indiana and in 1956 in the U.S. Supreme Court. He received his preparatory education from Northwestern University and from the Indiana University School of Business Administration (B.S. 1935). He received his legal education from Indiana University’s School of Law. He was a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana, and American Bar Associations as well as the Lawyers Association of Indianapolis and the Commercial Law League

William J. Regas (1918-2015) was born in Michigan City, Indiana on August 19, 1918. He was admitted to the bar in 1942 in Indiana and in 1956 in the U.S. Supreme Court. He received his preparatory education at Indiana University (B.S. 1940), and his legal education from Indiana University. He was a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana, and American Bar Associations as well as the Commercial Law League of America.