Circle City Conversations Alexander Limontes

Stacie Porter Bilger is the Founder and President of Proof Digital, a business growth-marketing agency that blends modern marketing tools with traditional sales funnel processes. She spent the first 20 years of her career working with businesses to strategize development and connect them to investors. Before founding Proof Digital, Stacie worked for several Chambers of Commerce and startups like the Indiana Venture Center.
In this episode… In an era defined by technological advancement and shifting consumer behaviors, the avenues through which people search for legal services have shifted dramatically. A robust digital marketing strategy not only ensures visibility in these spaces but allows law firms to establish credibility, cultivate trust, and effectively communicate their expertise to a wider audience. 
Experienced marketer Stacie Porter Bilger advocates for a holistic approach to digital marketing, incorporating elements of authenticity, ethics, and client satisfaction. Emphasizing the importance of data-driven insights, she highlights the significance of SEO, content development, and web optimization in enhancing brand visibility and driving customer engagement. Her forward-looking perspective anticipates emerging trends such as AI and video marketing while underscoring the timeless value of problem-solving and community building. With a focus on personalized strategies and leveraging AI for cost-effective solutions, Stacie empowers businesses, especially smaller firms, to establish a formidable digital presence.
In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes sits down with Stacie Porter Bilger, the Founder and President of Proof Digital, to talk about navigating the evolving digital marketing landscape. Stacie reflects on her early days as an educator and her journey into the digital marketing space. She highlights the crucial role of data-driven marketing, explores digital marketing strategies for small businesses, and provides insights on staying ahead of industry shifts. 

Nicholas (Nick) Huang is a Partner at Frost Brown Todd, a full-service law firm refining the art of client service through technical, industry, and legal knowledge. With expertise spanning international and domestic business litigation, property management, and trust administration, Nick brings a wealth of experience to negotiations and litigation representation. 
His business background, highlighted by years of interaction with corporations and government agencies, offers a distinctive perspective on corporate structuring, regulations, and compliance. His extensive experience includes 10 years at the Marion County Public Defender's office and seven years at Harrison & Moberly, where he specialized in a variety of cases, including criminal, business, and family law. Born in Chicago to Taiwanese parents, Nick graduated with an economics degree before pursuing law at Valparaiso University. 
In this episode… For entrepreneurs, directors of enterprises, and corporate owners, transactional lawyers play a crucial role in your business. Whether in day-to-day or long-term business transactions, how can a reliable transactional lawyer make a significant difference in guiding you through due diligence?   
Litigation lawyer turned legal consultant Nick Huang explains the role of transactional lawyers in the ever-changing business landscape. Unlike litigation lawyers, who spend much time in the courtroom, transactional lawyers advise businesses on regulatory matters and help ensure compliance with legal obligations. Leveraging his business background and years of experience in criminal, business, and family law, Nick acts as a hybrid in-house lawyer, providing legal support to clients without the need for a full-time in-house attorney. By guiding businesses on contracts, agreements, and other negotiations, transactional lawyers like Nick protect your interests and safeguard your assets, reducing risks and avoiding pitfalls that could adversely impact business operations. 
Listen to this new installment of Circle City Conversations as Alexander Limontes hosts Nicholas (Nick) Huang, Partner at Frost Brown Todd. Together, they delve into Nick’s journey into law and his experiences as a transactional lawyer. Nick shares his background as a son of Taiwanese parents growing up in Michigan, building his career through networking and diverse cases, and transitioning from litigation to business law and corporate governance. 

Gregg Keele is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and Managing Partner at Torchlight Resolutions, a team of financial specialists and mediators helping high-net-worth individuals navigate financial and legal situations. He is also a Private Wealth Advisor and a Managing Partner at Clearwater Private Wealth Advisors, owned by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Gregg leverages over 25 years of experience as a financial advisor to analyze settlement proposals and forecast settlement income or growth. His wealth management expertise has earned him numerous accolades, including Forbes Best-in-State 2024 and Five Star Wealth Manager from 2013-2023. Gregg has been featured on Bloomberg Live and co-authored the book Leading Advisor. 
Nate Hacker is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and Mediator at Torchlight Resolutions. As a Registered Domestic Relations Mediator, Nate started his career as a defense attorney before pivoting to family litigation. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, he is dedicated to educating parties in a resolution process to help minimize conflicts and unnecessary litigation. In addition to his responsibilities as an attorney, Nate is a licensed small-sided soccer referee and a volunteer Guardian ad Litem at Kids’ Voice of Indiana. He is a member of the Hamilton Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association. 
In this episode… Mediation is often used for financially complex divorces and other types of settlements, with a neutral third party facilitating the negotiations. Likewise, financial advisors play a crucial role in helping to identify the parties' goals and designing a path to achieve them, helping to reach a settlement that satisfies all parties involved. So, what role do financial advisors play in helping to resolve disputes?
According to Gregg Keele and Nate Hacker, certified financial advisors and mediators, bringing your financial expert to mediation increases the probability of the attorneys and parties having a clear understanding of your finances. In addition to tracing assets and analyzing cash flow, financial analysts can simplify complex tax issues and establish a framework to divide assets. Moreover, a victim who has suffered an injury or the loss of a loved one may need help understanding the financial implications or replacement of lost income. Financial advisors and mediators like Gregg and Nate advise individuals and corporations, helping them meet their long-term financial objectives. They highlight the importance of aligning resources with one’s goals, being proactive about tax implications, and making informed choices in a settlement.
In this latest installment of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes hosts Gregg Keele and Nate Hacker of Torchlight Resolutions. Gregg and Nate delve into the crucial role of financial advisors in mediation and wealth planning for high-net-worth individuals. They discuss financial stability for parties in a divorce, creating a holistic plan in personal injury cases, and the potential risks and rewards of diverse wealth-planning approaches.

Michael Langford is a mediator and arbitrator at The Mediation Group, LLC, a team of experienced former lawyers helping individuals and companies find resolutions for their legal disputes. A multifaceted professional, Michael previously litigated high-stakes civil lawsuits throughout his 27-year career as a trial lawyer, representing individuals, family-owned companies, and Fortune 500 corporations. In recognition of his trial skills, he has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as Chairman of the American College of Transportation Attorneys. When he’s not working, Michael enjoys coaching a high school debate team, attending concerts, performing as a stand-up comedian, and spending time with his wife and three children.
In this episode… In addition to professional fulfillment, a career in law presents opportunities for social impact. It embodies a commitment to societal betterment, leading the population toward the change it needs by advocating for justice. Learn how a former trial attorney impacts the legal industry and his community.
In an open and insightful discussion, Michael Langford, a veteran lawyer turned mediator, unveils his multifaceted career as an attorney, mediator, stand-up comedian, and high school debate team coach. The conversion delves into his early days as a trial attorney and his transition to mediation and arbitration, highlighting the lessons he learned over three decades of practicing law. He emphasizes the importance of credibility, professionalism, and collegiality for litigators or mediators. As the narrative unfolds, Michael reflects on his most impactful cases, including a successful FMLA case that resulted in a six-figure verdict and a tragic car accident that prompted a review of the Dram Shop Act. He highlights intricate trial strategies he employs to achieve positive outcomes and his favorite aspects of litigation. Additionally, Michael shares his passion for coaching a high school debate team, how he overlaps stand-up comedy and law, and his outdoor adventures in Indianapolis.
Join us on this latest episode of Circle City Conversations as Alex Limontes hosts Michael Langford, a mediator and arbitrator at The Mediation Group, LLC. Michael reflects on his law career trajectory, his most impactful cases, and his transition from trial law to mediation. He also highlights the importance of speech and debate teams in high schools, the surprising link between litigation and stand-up comedy, and the unforgettable adventures Indianapolis offers.  

Chris Eskew is the Founding Attorney of Eskew Law, LLC, a boutique law firm specializing in criminal defense, family law, and personal injury cases. With over 15 years of experience advocating for the rights of the accused, Chris is dedicated to handling a broad range of felony and misdemeanor cases. Before founding his law firm, he honed his litigation skills as an attorney for the Marion County Public Defender's Agency. 
Born and raised in Indiana, Chris completed his BA in computer science from DePauw University before receiving his JD from Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He is listed among the Top 100 DUI Attorneys in Indiana by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense and earned the Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award for his dedication to the industry.  
In this episode… In the murky waters of criminal justice, a defense attorney lawyer can be your guiding light. They typically have a lighter caseload than public defenders, access to more resources, and specialized knowledge, enabling them to meet clients’ high expectations. What are some strategies employed by defense lawyers to ensure a fair trial and the best possible outcome for their clients? 
Understanding the dynamics of a jury is one essential element of trial preparation. Seasoned defense attorney Chris Eskew emphasizes that a winning strategy involves taking a deep dive into potential jurors' unique perspectives, biases, and beliefs and assessing the group as a whole during the trial. By doing so, attorneys can tailor their approach and arguments to resonate with the jurors, ultimately increasing their chances of success and eliminating obstructions to a fair trial. He also stresses the importance of being upfront and honest in legal decision-making and having a passion for helping others. As a founding attorney who combines the practice of law with the business of law, Chris underscores the power of cultural fit when hiring new lawyers in a small or midsized firm. According to him, a successful defense team is built on the unique strengths and perspectives that each attorney brings to the firm.
Join host Alex Limontes in this episode of the Circle City Conversations as he hosts Chris Eskew, the Founding Attorney of Eskew Law, LLC, to discuss criminal defense work and trial strategies. They reminisce on their early days as public defenders, reflect on changes in the legal system, and explore the business of law. Chris also highlights the influence of his sports background on his legal practice, the importance of culture fit in hiring practices, and his firm’s expansion plans. 

Emily Guenin-Hodson is a Trial Lawyer at Guenin Law Office, P.C., an award-winning firm operating out of Wabash, Indiana. A renowned personal injury lawyer, Emily focuses on cases involving insurance companies, injury claims, and wrongful death. Born and raised in Wabash, she returned to her hometown to join her lawyer dad in the family practice after graduating from the Maurer School of Law in 2003. Their efforts have resulted in successful outcomes in many types of cases, including car crashes, construction failures, motorist insurance claims, product failures, plant explosions, electrocutions, and fire losses. As an active member of the Indiana law community, Emily serves as Chair of the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education and President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. 
In this episode… Working in a family-owned law firm can be rewarding for relatives despite the complex environment. In addition to collaborating with people you trust and care about, family members usually work toward a common goal. However, like any other business, success in such a partnership requires a foundation of knowledge, open communication, and a shared vision. Trial lawyer Emily Guenin-Hodson shares her experiences navigating the nuanced dynamics of a father-daughter legal team.
Inspired by her father's legal practice and mentorship, Emily joined her family’s law firm after law school and made history as one of the youngest attorneys to argue a case before the Indiana Supreme Court. She has since collaborated on numerous appellate briefs with her father, focusing on civil cases in diverse areas of law. Citing her family's passion for helping friends and loved ones with legal issues as the foundation of the firm’s growth, she describes how these principles influenced her drive to improve access to justice in the small town of Wabash. With her work in trials and appeals leading her to serve on the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association’s Executive Committee, Emily highlights the association’s efforts in advocating civil justice for Hoosiers, continuing legal education programs for attorneys, and its influence in protecting citizens from harmful laws.
In this episode of the Circle City Conversations, Alexander Limontes hosts Emily Guenin-Hodson, Trial Lawyer at Guenin Law Office, P.C., to discuss the intricacies of practicing law in a family-owned firm. Emily shares her experience as a personal injury attorney in her hometown, the differences between appellate work and trials, legal strategies for handling complex cases in a small town, and the intersection of community service and legal practice.