Hannah Kaufman Joseph

Hannah Kaufman Joseph has carved out a distinguished reputation in Indiana, Indianapolis, as both a visionary entrepreneur and a devoted legal professional. As a partner at Jeselskis Brinkerhoff and Joseph, LLC, she channels her own experience running multiple small businesses into comprehensive legal counsel for business owners and emerging enterprises. Whether guiding clients through the sale or acquisition of a company, structuring a new venture, negotiating contracts or navigating employment issues, she applies rigorous legal analysis to protect her clients’ interests and drive their commercial success.

In 2014, Ms. Joseph brought her unique blend of practical insight and policy acumen to the Indiana Governor’s office, where she identified arcane statutory hurdles that hampered small business access to capital. Rather than simply flagging the problem, she helped craft and champion reform legislation – positioning Indiana at the forefront of modern, flexible business law and opening the door to innovative equity crowdfunding initiatives.

Ms. Joseph’s clientele spans local startups and national enterprises across industries as varied as food and hospitality, software and technology, manufacturing, professional services, and the arts. She also advises high net worth individuals and professional athletes exploring entrepreneurial opportunities. Her command of securities and insurance law is affirmed by Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses, underscoring her credentials as both a stockbroker and a registered investment adviser.

Honored in 2013 as one of the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40,” Ms. Joseph earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and Juris Doctor from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Early in her career, she co-founded a Carmel-based firm dedicated to business law and served as corporate counsel for a major American retail chain, honing her ability to balance ambitious commercial goals with prudent risk management.

Admitted to practice in Indiana since 2004 and before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, Ms. Joseph continually deepens her competence. She now shares that knowledge as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, regularly shaping the next generation of lawyers.

A sought-after speaker and panelist on topics ranging from contract negotiation to business financing and employment law, Ms. Joseph also contributes articles to the Indianapolis Business Journal, the Indiana Law Blog and Indianapolis Monthly, offering thought leadership that reflects her commitment to both the legal profession and the entrepreneurial community.