Amy Commean

Founder, Attorney

Educational Background

When you choose Amy Commean Law for your criminal defense or family law case, you get an experienced attorney with 20 years of experience. For a free consultation, please call or text today. Amy Commean was born, raised, and educated in Northwest Indiana. She graduated from La Porte High School and then attended St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame. She majored in French and Political Science. She spent her sophomore year in France at the Universite Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France, through the University of Notre Dame’s SUNDEF Program. She also spent the first half of her senior year at American University in Washington, D.C., on their Tenley Campus as part of St. Mary’s College’s Washington Semester Program. There, her focus was on Freign Policy. In addition to a full course of studies, she interned at the World Jurist Association of the World Peace Through Law Center, previously a branch of the American Bar Association. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College, Amy accepted an offer to attend St. Louis University’s School of Law. While there, she joined the International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi. She attended the biennial convention in Washington, D.C. during law school. After graduation, she was appointed Province President, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Legal Honor Society at four regional law schools. She also held an internship at the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Missouri with Judge McDonald. Outside of her classwork, Amy worked as a law clerk for two different firms in St. Louis focusing on civil practice.

Experience as an Attorney

After earning her Juris Doctor, Amy worked in St. Louis with a lawyer who specialized in family-based immigration law in St. Louis, Missouri. She also spent a significant part of her time volunteering with the Immigrant & Refugee Service Project at St. Pius V Catholic Church. She worked directly with families who fled their war-torn nations of Bosnia and Afghanistan. In 2004, Amy was admitted to the Missouri Bar and took a position with the Missouri State Public Defender System in their Jackson Trial Office. From 2004 to 2020, Amy worked as both a senior public defender and as a deputy district defender, co-managing the office of 12 lawyers and 5 support staff, while at the same time maintaining her own full caseload. Amy represented clients charged with criminal offenses ranging from misdemeanors to non-capital homicide cases. She represented more than 4,000 clients during her time at MSPD. Amy’s core values that fundamentally impacted her representation of her clients are that all clients deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and equity. Amy practiced a client-centered, client-led model of representation that ensured all clients received zealous advocacy and ensured their rights were well protected.

In late 2020, Amy decided to move back home to NW Indiana. She joined Attorney Richard Busse in Valparaiso, Indiana. In March 2021, Amy was admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. In June 2021, the Indiana Supreme Court admitted her as a member of the Indiana Bar. Amy is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section and serves as a member of its Council. She is also a member of the Solo and Small Firm Section.

Amy’s Law Practice Focuses On Both Family Law And Criminal Defense. Her Family Law Practice Includes Divorce, Modifications Of Child Support, Determinations Of Paternity, Etc. She Also Works As A Part-Time Deputy Public Defender For La Porte County, Ensuring That All Clients, Regardless Of Their Ability To Pay, Are Given The Highest Quality Legal Representation.

Areas of Practice

In late 2020, Amy decided to move back home to NW Indiana. She joined Attorney Richard Busse in Valparaiso, Indiana. In March 2021, Amy was admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. In June 2021, the Indiana Supreme Court admitted her as a member of the Indiana Bar. Amy is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section and serves as a member of its Council. She is also a member of the Solo and Small Firm Section. Amy’s law practice focuses on both family law and criminal defense. Her family law practice includes divorce, modifications of child support, determinations of paternity, etc. She also works as a part-time Deputy Public Defender for La Porte County, ensuring that all clients, regardless of their ability to pay, are given the highest quality legal representation.

Family Life

Amy is married, and she and her husband have three young daughters. As a family, they enjoy hiking, rock scrambling, climbing the dunes, traveling, and spending as much time with friends and being outside as possible.

• St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame
• Majored in French and Political Science
• St. Louis University’s School of Law Year
• J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence