John D. Proffitt (1932-2021)

John D. Proffitt profit was a friend and mentor to the attorneys at Altman, Poindexter & Wyatt LLC before his passing in 2021. Mr. Proffitt graduated from Wabash College in 1954 and received his law degree from the University of Chicago in 1959. He was first admitted to practice law in Missouri in 1959, and then subsequently was admitted in Indiana in 1963. Throughout Mr. Proffitt’s legal career he was recognized by his peers for being not only an exceptional lawyer but also a leader in both the legal profession and his community. Mr. Proffitt was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, The American Bar Foundation and the Indiana Bar Foundation. He also served as President of the Indiana State Bar Association from 1995-1996, and was listed each year in Woodward / White Inc., “The Best Lawyers in America,” since the publication was first published and also in the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Indiana each year since inception until his retirement from the practice of law. In 2007 Governor Daniels recognized Mr. Proffitt as a Distinguished Hoosier, and in 2017 Governor Holcomb appointed Mr. Proffitt as a Sagamore of the Wabash. That same year, Mr. Proffitt was also recognized by the Indiana Bar Foundation as a Legendary Lawyer. Mr. Proffitt’s impact on the legal profession and our community throughout his life will be felt for generations by the people and attorneys he mentored, befriended, or encountered. As memorably stated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “When a great man dies, for years beyond our ken, the light he leaves behind him lies upon the paths of men.” Thank you for everything, Mr. Proffitt. We will miss you.

Bar Admissions

Indiana, 1959
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1959
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1959
U.S. Supreme Court, 1959

Education

• University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, Illinois
  J.D. – 1959
• Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana
  A.B. – 1954

Honors and Awards

• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Indiana Bar Foundation
• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• AV® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell
• Listed each year in Woodward / White Inc., “The Best Lawyers in America,” since the publication was first published
• Listed in Indianapolis Monthly Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Indiana each year since inception

Professional Associations and Memberships

• American Bar Association, Member, House of Delegates, 1993 – 1996
• Indiana State Bar Association, President, 1995 – 1996
• Indiana State Bar Association, President-Elect, 1994 – 1995
• Indiana State Bar Association, Vice President, 1993 – 1994
• Indiana State Bar Association, House of Delegates, 1980 – Present
• Indiana State Bar Association, Treasurer, 1991 – 1992
• Indiana State Bar Association, Board of Governors, 1991 – 1996
• Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, President, 1995
• Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Vice President, 1994
• Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Board of Governors, 1993 – 1995
• Indiana Board of Law Examiners
• Hamilton County Bar Association, President, 1975
• Riverview Hospital Building Committee, Board of Directors, 1982 – 1992
• Carmel-Clay Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, 2002 – 2003
• Carmel-Clay Public Library, President, 2002 – 2004
• Carmel-Clay Public Library, Board of Trustees, 2001 – 2005
• Harbour Trees Golf Club, President, 2000
• Harbour Trees Golf Club, Board of Directors, 1997 – 2000
• Hamilton County Progress Committee, Director and Charter Member
• Carmel Clay Chamber of Commerce, Past President
• St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Administrative Board, 1989 – Present
• Carmel Clay Schools Building Trades Council, Past Director
• Carmel Clay Schools Building Trades Council, Charter Member
• City of Carmel Public Parking Commission, Past Director
• City of Carmel Public Parking Commission, Charter Member
• Carmel Civic Square Building Corporation, Past President
• Sherlock Holmes Society of London, England
• Meadows Country Club, Sarasota, Florida, Board of Governors, 2009 – Present
• First Merchants National Bank of Hamilton County, Chairman
• First Merchants National Bank of Hamilton County, Board of Directors, 2000 – 2005

Past Employment Positions

• United States Army, Veteran, 1954 – 1956
• Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP, Kansas City, Missouri, Associate Attorney
• Campbell Kyle Proffitt LLP, Partner