Ulmer Pendergast, Karen

General Background:

Attorney LaTulip was born in East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana in 1974, and grew up in Northwest Indiana. His parents, and generally, entire family are working class, blue collar people affiliated with the trades (Operator Engineers Union Local 150; Laborer's Union Local 81) Attorney LaTulip is a vested member of the Laborer's Union Local 81, out of Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana.

Education, Experience, Distinguishment and Awards:

Attorney LaTulip attended Elementary and Secondary Schooling in Lowell and Hanover Central, in Cedar Lake, Lake County, Indiana. After High School, Attorney LaTulip maintained his home roots and attended college at Indiana University, Northwest Campus in Gary, Lake County, Indiana. Coming from his background, Attorney LaTulip was able to support himself while attending college by working construction as a Union Laborer. Attorney LaTulip, as his always remembers where he has come from, and where he has been when representing clients.

While attending Law School, Matt served as Production Editor for the Indiana International & Comparative Law Review.  Additionally, Matt served as the President of the Criminal Law Association.  Matt also worked with the Lake County Prosecutor's Office, the United States Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office; and Lake County Community Corrections Work Release/Alternative Placement Kimbrough Center as an Intern.

In 1996, Matt received his Bachelors of Science Degree majoring in Criminal Justice, and minoring in Sociology, with a core grade point average of 3.7 out of a 4.0. While in attendance at Indiana University Northwest, he became a member of Alpha Phi Sigma (a National Criminal Justice Honor Society) and Phi Alpha (a National Honor Society for Public Affairs & Administration). Further, while in college Matt gained experience and worked as an Intern with the Lake County Indiana Prosecutor's Office, and, The Lake County Sheriff's Work Release Center.

After graduating from undergraduate college, Matt attended Law School at Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. While attending Law School, he accrued many honors and accomplishments. For example, in 1999 Matt became the recipient of the Glenn D. Peters Scholarship for Academic Excellence. Further, he was President of the Criminal Law Association (99-2000), Member of the Moot Court Society, and Executive Board Production Editor for the Indiana International and Comparative Law Review, a journal of scholarly writings subscribed and referred to by many local and national jurisprudence. During Law School Matt gained additional experience by interning with the United States Attorney General's Office, Department of Justice, and clerking with the law firm of Baldwin and Dakich, in Indianapolis, Marion County Indiana.

Matt graduated from Indiana University-School of Law within the top twenty (20%) percent of his class, and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in May of 2000. Thereafter, he continued his legal career with the law firm of Spangler, Jennings, and Dougherty, where he remained employed until forming his own law offices in Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana.

Since then, Matt has had the experience and pleasure of representing individuals, businesses, and municipalities both in prosecution and defense of claims involving personal injury, motor vehicle/ automobile accidents, defense of those accused of crimes, discrimination, harassment, civil rights violations, premises liability/ premises injury, traffic offenses, and many other areas requiring legal counsel and help. He has handled cases and represented clients from the inception of cases, all the way to The Indiana Court of Appeals, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.  Matt has been appointed and served as Judge pro tempore in the Lake County Superior Courts, and as well as, the Lake County Superior Courts, During his service as Judge Pro tem, Matt has heard and ruled upon numerous legal issues. As an attorney helping clients resolve legal problems in Northwest/ Indiana, and the Chicago land area, Matt has been admitted to practice in all of the Superior and Circuit Courts within the State of Indiana; the Federal District Courts for the Southern and Northern District of Indiana, and the Federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit which encompasses Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Nonetheless, given his roots to the Northern Indiana area (Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, St. Joseph and Starke Counties) a larger percentage of his case load is focused in these areas.

Memberships and Personal Activities:

On a professional note, Matt is a member of the American College of Inns of Court, and The Indiana Public Defenders Council. On a personal note, Matt is an avid outdoorsman, conservationist, dedicated family man, and devoted Christian. As such, Matt is a member and presiding officer (Secretary) of the Cedar Lake Gun and Conservation Club, as well as a sustaining sponsoring member of Ducks Unlimited. Further, Matt, his Wife and three children all attend and substantially contribute to the Church of Christ that meets in Lowell, Lake County, Indiana.