Planning Ahead	In Crisis	Special Needs	Advocacy

Meet the Attorneys

Severns & Stinson focuses on the needs of families confronting issues with health care with a special emphasis on long-term care issues. The firm has three attorneys and three paraprofessionals who understand the sensitive nature of elder care. For over 30 years, Severns & Stinson has provided much more than legal counsel - they empower those who care.

Scott R. Severns, CELA

Known by many in Indiana as the “Father of Elder Law,”  Scott Severns is a founding member and Past President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the senior partner of Severns & Stinson. He graduated cum laude from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis in 1979. His professional career has focused on legal and health care issues that confront older adults and people with disabilities.

Mr. Severns has been Certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. A Past President of the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform and a former policy analyst for United Senior Action, he has successfully lobbied for nursing home reform laws and was a primary architect of Indiana's home health care legislation known as the CHOICE program.

Mr. Severns has been named a Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and Indianapolis Monthly magazine for the past 7 years.  He is a regular faculty member for the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, the American Bar Association, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.  He is sought after as a speaker and is often quoted in news stories for his expertise in the law of health care, public benefits, and other issues affecting senior citizens and others with special needs.

His articles have been published in Res Gestae, The Compleat Lawyer and The Long Term Care Handbook. His law practice has appeared on NBC's TODAY program and has been featured in Indianapolis Monthly Magazine, the New York Times and several other national publications.

Scott met his wife Trish at Lawrence Central High School in 1968. They enjoy dancing, visits with their two grandchildren, and are active members of Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church.

Jeffery D. Stinson, CELA

Jeffery Stinson is the managing partner of Severns & Stinson and has been with the firm since 1998.  

Jeff’s practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, long term care planning, Medicaid planning, Veteran’s Administration benefits planning, special needs planning, guardianships, and estate administration.

He is a 1998 graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with Highest Distinction. Jeff graduated from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis in 2002. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Indiana State Bar Association. He is a Past President of the Indiana Chapter of NAELA and Chair-Elect of the Elder law section of the Indiana State Bar Association. Jeff was named Outstanding Member of the Indiana Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys in 2010. Jeff has also been Certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, a distinction held by only a handful of lawyers in Indiana. In 2011, Jeff was named as one of the State’s “Rising Stars” in Super Lawyer magazine. Jeff enjoys educating both clients and the public at large regarding issues effecting the elderly and disabled and speaks at both public and professional seminars.

Jeff is a member of Century Lodge No. 764 F&AM.  He is married to Jennifer Suba and they have two young children, Josie and Jonah.

Anna M. Howard

Ms. Howard was admitted to the Indiana State Bar in October 2009.  She received her law degree from Barry University in Orlando in 2009.  In addition, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science, from Indiana University Bloomington in 2000. Anna is a member of the American Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association, and the Indianapolis Bar Association.  Anna grew up in Kokomo, Indiana and has now relocated to Indianapolis.  Anna has been married for 10 years to her husband Scott Howard and has a 10 year old son, Scotty
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