Douglas R. Adelsperger, Fort Wayne, Fourth District, is a partner with Adelsperger & Kleven. From 1988-90, he clerked for Judge Robert E. Grant, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. After that, Doug went into private practice. He received his B.S. in Finance from Indiana University (1985) and his J.D. from I.U. Maurer School of Law (1988). Doug was born in Richmond, Ind.

Legal memberships include Allen County (past president) and Indiana State bar associations; American Bankruptcy Institute; and American Board of Certification (Business Bankruptcy).

Doug is a past board member, Indiana Golf Association; past president, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana; and member, Covenant United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne.

Professional enjoyment: What I enjoy most about the legal profession is helping people solve problems. Most clients come to a lawyer with a problem or multiple problems that need to be addressed and solved. The day the client sees the lawyer for the first time is generally not his or her best day. To clients, they are reaching out for help on what could be the most important issue in their life at the time. Lawyers can never lose sight of that perspective. Helping the client resolve, or better yet solve, the problem is most satisfying.

Your inspiration: When I began college, I wanted to be either a golf pro or follow my father into banking. As an answer to a later question will address, banking was the safer bet. At the time, the fastest way to progress in banking was to come up through the trust department. My thought was that having both a finance degree and a law degree would be impressive on a résumé. As it turns out, instead of going into banking, I became an insolvency lawyer. Go figure.

Why bar association involvement: Over the past 30+ years, I have benefited from membership in the ISBA by taking advantage of services it makes available to members. I have also benefited from the connections that are made while being directly involved with the bar association. Now it’s time for me to attempt to “pay back” the State Bar for these benefits – with my time.

If not a lawyer: professional golfer (if only I could putt)

Fav hobbies: golf, fishing and spending time with family.

Fav book or author and current reading: While all in my immediate family are avid readers, I am not. I tell them that the first year of law school did me in, but that excuse does not work on my 2-year-old grandson when he hands me a book to read to him.

Fav vacation spot: anywhere on or near water (fresh or salt) with family.

Fav food or restaurant: I am a “meat & potatoes” guy. Any good steak or BBQ joint will do.

Top of my bucket list: play Augusta National, Pebble Beach or the Old Course with my dad.