About Zakrocki Law Firm

steve-zakrocki

A native Hoosier, my wife, Amanda, and I moved to St. Augustine, Florida in 2007 to be closer to family and, if we’re being completely honest, to get away from those miserable Midwestern winters.

But how did I get here, to a practice that helps families and business owners find peace of mind?

Law school had been a consideration since I took a class in high school called “Street Law,” which was an introduction to our legal system.  I really enjoyed that class, and thought that I might want to pursue a career in the law one day.

I attended Indiana University-Bloomington and graduated in 1994. Law school was still a goal, but I decided that I wanted some “real world” experience. So I took some time off from school. 

I worked for a non-profit economic development organization, and then used that experience to transition to the private sector, working with companies with locations in economic development zones.

 

I also began attending graduate school, with the intention of ultimately switching to law school, which I did in 1998 when I was accepted to Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis. 

While in law school I clerked for a large firm in downtown Indianapolis and decided that I wanted to pursue a litigation practice.

Following graduation in 2001, I began my litigation career in earnest, fully intending to follow in the footsteps of Perry Mason, Jake Brigance, and other great litigators from books, television and the movies. 

I started out in labor and employment law, litigating discrimination and harassment matters in state and federal courts for both plaintiffs and defendants. 

Next, I decided to try my hand at other types of civil litigation, and was exposed to numerous areas, including insurance defense and commercial litigation.

However, something was missing. I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of litigation, but I thought that there must be a better way to serve clients and help them avoid problems in the first place.

Then, in 2009, just four months after my son was born, I had a major health scare that helped push me in the right direction. One that led me to opening my own practice. 

I still remember, lying in the hospital bed and thinking “how did I get here?” And what would happen to my family if I wasn’t around anymore. Both emotionally and financially.

It was, obviously, a stressful time. Luckily, though, I had done some planning to ensure that if I wasn’t around any more, my family would be taken care of. 

That gave me peace of mind to focus on recovering, rather than dealing with the stress of leaving them behind without any assistance.

I fully recovered (and remain in good health), and returned to practicing litigation.

And finally decided that it was time to try something different. 

This decision was a long time coming, and my health scare had made me realize that, ultimately, I needed to do something different.

I also came to the realization that there was a way that I could help people before they got into a mess and needed a litigator.

What I really wanted to do was help people avoid litigation.

In November 2011, I opened my own firm and began to transition my practice away from litigation, and focused on estate planning and transactional business matters. 

My mission is to help families and business owners find peace of mind through proper planning before a problem arises. And with my litigation background, I’m able to steer clients in the right direction, and away from a problem that could end up in court.

So, that’s how I ended up where I am today.

Amanda, and I have two kids, Luke and Emma, and a dog, Luna (Lu-Lu for short), who will love you to death.

On the weekends you can find me at basketball tournaments with my son and the rest of the family, cheering on the Hoosiers or just enjoying the company of my family.

And, in case you’re wondering how to pronounce my last name, let me assure you it’s not as difficult as it looks. It’s pronounced: Zak-rock-ee. Or, as I tell many people, “Zack” without a “c” and “Rocky” with an “i.”

If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I will help in any way I can.

Steve Zakrocki