MaryEllen K. Bishop

Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wagner & Trimble
MaryEllen K. Bishop
Lewis Wagner & Trimble

Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation; view more

Licensed in Indiana since: 1983

Education: Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2026
Free Consultation

Lewis Wagner & Trimble

1411 Roosevelt Ave
Suite 102
Indianapolis, IN 46201 Visit website
Details

MaryEllen K. Bishop is a seasoned attorney at Lewis Wagner & Trimble, in Indianapolis, Indiana, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to her practice. She is experienced in handling a variety of matters pertaining to estate planning, wills and trusts, and probate and estate administration.

Holding a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, earned in 1979, Ms. Bishop secured a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, completed in 1982. Her legal journey began with her admission to the Indiana Bar in 1983, followed by her admission to the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern District Courts of Indiana. In 1989, she further expanded her credentials with admission to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ms. Bishop's legal career is marked by her commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes. Her peers have recognized her outstanding legal abilities and ethical standards, as evidenced by her AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell, a testament to her high level of professional achievement.

A Board-Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Ms. Bishop brings both expertise and empathy to every client relationship. Her dedication to service extends far beyond her legal practice. She served for 12 years on the Indiana University Board of Trustees and remains actively involved in local legal and charitable organizations—all driven by her enduring commitment to helping others thrive.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Bishop is actively involved in various professional organizations and community initiatives, contributing her time and knowledge to support and uplift her community. Her career reflects a blend of professional dedication and community service, making her a valued member of both her firm and the broader legal profession. She serves as Co-chair for ICLEF's Midwest Estate Tax and Business Planning Institute.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

Practice areas

Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation

Focus areas

Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Will Contests, Wills

  • 80% Estate Planning & Probate
  • 20% Estate & Trust Litigation

First Admitted: 1983, Indiana

Professional Webpage: https://lewiswagner.com/employees/maryellen-k-bishop/

Bar / Professional Activity

  • U.S. Tax Court, 1983
  • Chair, Estate Planning and Administration Section, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2006
  • Co-Chair, Written Publications Committee for Res Gestae, Indiana State Bar Association
  • Member, Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis
  • Indiana, 1983
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Member, Indiana University Women's Colloquium Planning Committee, 2008 - Present
  • Executive Council, Probate and Trust Section, Indiana State Bar Association, Real Property, 2006 - Present
  • Member, Indiana Probate Code Study Commission, 2001 - 2005
  • Secretary to the Board of Visitors, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law 
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
  • Co-Chair, Planned Giving Committee, Indiana University School of Medicine, 2008 - 2011
  • Vice President, Board of Managers, Indianapolis Bar Association, 1999
  • Member, Probate Review Committee, Indiana State Bar Association, 2005 - Present
  • International Chair, Indiana University Alumni Association, 2007 
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana

Special Licenses / Certifications

  • Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer, Trust and Estate Specialty Board Serve on Testing Committee for Trust and Estate Specialty Board, 2007

Pro bono / Community Service

  • Past National Chairwoman, Indiana University Alumni Association, 2006
  • Member of Steering Committee for the Indiana University Indianapolis Women's Philanthropy Conference, 2018
  • Past Secretary, Kiwanis Club of Meridian Hills
  • Member of the Steering Committee, Indiana University Women's Colloquium
  • Board of Directors, Visiting Nurse Foundation, 1996 - 1997
  • Former Alumni representative on the Indiana University Athletics Committee
  • Former Member, Board of Visitors for the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
  • Member, Alpha Chi Omega
  • Elected Member of the Indiana University Board of Trustees

Educational Background

  • Indiana University Kelley School of Business, B.S., 1979

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

  • Master Chair, "Probate Skills", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), 1994
  • Master Chair, "Probate Skills", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), 2006
  • "Recent Legislation and Cases in Estate Planning & Probate", Hoosier CLE- Indiana Law Survey, Presenter, 2018
  • "What's New in Estate Planning and Administration", Indianapolis Bar Association, 2002 - Present, Presenter, 2018
  • Program Chair, "Basic Will and Trust Drafting", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), 1999
  • Program Chair, "Basic Will and Trust Drafting", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), 2001
  • "The Long and Winding Road to Probate Court", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF)
  • "Planning Your First Probate Administration", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF)
  • Program Chair, "Practical Probate", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF)
  • "Basic Probate", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF)
  • "Indiana Law Update", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), 2004 - Present
  • "Elder Law", National Business Institute
  • Co-Chair of the Midwest Estate, Tax & Business Institute, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), 2012 - Present, Presenter, Co-Chair, ICLEF, Law, Accounting, Financial Advising And Trust, 2018

Honors

  • Member of the Board of Trustees for Indiana University
  • AV Preeminent* rating through Martindale-Hubbell
  • Fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Council (ACTEC)
  • FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager (SM), 2009 - Present
  • Master Fellow, Indiana Bar Foundation
  • The Best Lawyers in America in Practice Area of Estates and Trusts and Trust and Estate Litigation, 2006 - Present, Best Lawyers in America
  • Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation

Industry Groups

  • Board Certified Indiana Trust And Estate Lawyer By The Trust And Estate Specialty Board
  • Fellow Of The American College Of Trust And Estate Counsel

Office location for MaryEllen K. Bishop

1411 Roosevelt Ave
Suite 102
Indianapolis, IN 46201

Phone: 317-505-1323

Selections

23 Years Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2026

Top Lists

Top 50: Indiana Super Lawyers: 2025 Top 25: Women Indiana Super Lawyers: 2009 - 2011, 2025

Attorney resources for MaryEllen K. Bishop

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