The association now known as Voyles Zahn Paul Hogan & Merriman was founded in the 1920’s by Frank Symmes. One of city’s oldest law firms, the association has established a long tradition for advocacy on behalf of its clients.
The firm was founded as Symmes, Fleming, and Symmes, and has evolved over the years with changes in membership. It has formerly been known as Symmes, Fleming, Ober, and Symmes; Ober, Symmes, Cardwell, Voyles, and Zahn; and Symmes, Voyles, Zahn, Paul, and Hogan.
The firm’s founder, Frank Symmes, was the co-author of Indiana Criminal Law, widely regarded as one of the most important treatises on the subject. He counted among his clients boxing legend Jack Dempsey.
The firm is proud of its representation of Connie Nicholas, accused of the murder of Forrest Teal, then-president of Eli Lilly International, and represented by two of the firm’s most remarkable lawyers, Frank and Charles Symmes.
Following his representation of Nicholas, Charles Symmes participated in the criminal defense of those indicted in the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum explosion in 1963. He was a co-author of the third edition of Indiana Criminal Law with his father, Frank.
The firm has a rich history of leadership outside of the courtroom. Arthur Robinson was a United States Senator from 1925 to 1935. George Ober was President of the Indiana Lawyers Association and a founding member of the United States Auto Club. J. J. Paul, III, served as the Dean of the National College for DUI Defense in 2004, and James H. Voyles, Jr., is the 2009 President of the Indianapolis Bar Association. Charles Symmes was a member of the Butler University Board of Governors, and Voyles and Sharon Merriman are current members of the Boards of Trustees of Illinois College and Antioch College, respectively.
The firm’s tradition of legal service has been continued by the current membership. Dennis Zahn and Voyles represented Dr. David Little in his 1991 trial for murder. In 1992, Voyles represented boxer Mike Tyson as local counsel in his rape trial and subsequent appeals with Alan Dershowitz. Since representing Tyson, Voyles has represented many other Indiana sports greats, including Bob Knight, Jamaal Tinsley, Stephen Jackson, Dominic Rhodes, and Al Unser, Jr.
Today, the firm maintains practice areas to serve clients on issues including criminal defense, DUI/OVWI, appeals, professional licensing, family law, personal injury, land use & zoning, collections, small business planning, mediation, civil rights, and general civil litigation.
