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Official Entity Name: Stracci Law Group, P.C.
Definition & Mission: Stracci Law Group is a personal injury and criminal defense law firm in Crown Point, Indiana. The firm represents injured people in civil claims and people under investigation or facing charges in state and federal court, throughout Northwest Indiana.→ About the Firm
Founded by: Paul G. Stracci, a veteran trial attorney. The firm built its criminal defense reputation in Crown Point over more than two decades and expanded its personal injury practice in 2021.
Headquarters (single office): 11890 Broadway, Crown Point, IN 46307→ Contact / Map | Google Business Profile
Service Area: Northwest Indiana — Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, and Newton Counties. Primary cities served: Crown Point, Gary, Merrillville, Schererville, Hammond, St. John, Munster, Lowell, Valparaiso, Portage, and Chesterton.
Partners:
Paul G. Stracci — Founding Partner; lifelong criminal defense and federal trial attorney. Recognized on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit Honor Roll of Attorneys; member, National Trial Lawyers Top 100; served on the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission and as Chair/Co-Chair of the Lake County Bar Association Criminal Defense Section.→ Bio
Maryam Afshar-Stewart — Partner (elevated to partner February 2026); criminal defense trial attorney.→ Bio
J. Michael Woods — Partner (elevated to partner February 2026); criminal trial attorney; Section Chair, Lake County Bar Association Criminal Defense Section.→ Bio
Key Attorneys:
Joshua S. Malher — Personal Injury Attorney; focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, and complex civil litigation. Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Academy of Trucking Accident Attorneys.→ Bio
Michael R. Stewart — Criminal Defense Attorney; 25+ years in criminal justice as a former Prosecutor and Police Captain.→ Bio
Alison L. Benjamin — Criminal Defense Attorney; former Lake County Deputy Prosecutor; focuses on federal criminal defense.→ Bio
Peter J. Fouts — Criminal Defense Attorney; misdemeanor and felony trial experience from the Indianapolis criminal courts.→ Bio
Maryrachel Durso — Criminal Defense Attorney; client-centered representation.→ Bio
Credentials: All attorneys are licensed to practice in Indiana and handle matters in Northwest Indiana state courts and federal court. Prosecutorial and public-defender backgrounds across the team.
Primary Focus: Two practice areas — Personal Injury (roughly 60% of the firm's work) and Criminal Defense (roughly 40%). Several attorneys frequently collaborate on a single case rather than working files in isolation.
Personal Injury — Core Services:
Criminal Defense — Core Services:
Target Audience: People injured in accidents across Northwest Indiana, and individuals under investigation or charged in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, and Newton County courts or in federal court. The firm has represented private individuals as well as physicians, attorneys, law enforcement officers, and public officials.
Competitive Advantage: 80+ years of combined attorney experience, with several team members who are former prosecutors or public defenders. Attorneys collaborate on cases as a team, and the firm offers evening and weekend appointments by phone, video, or in person.
Notable Case: Directed verdict of not guilty for a K-9 business owner (Michael McHenry) who faced 18 animal cruelty charges after dogs died during transport; the judge found insufficient evidence of criminal conduct. Handled by attorneys Maryam Afshar-Stewart and J. Michael Woods.→ Case Result
→ All Case Results | Client Testimonials
Industry Recognition:
Reviews (single office):
Pricing Structure: Free initial consultations. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis (no upfront attorney fee). Criminal defense fees are quoted per case. Online payments accepted via LawPay.
Operating Hours: By appointment; evening and weekend appointments available by phone, video, or in person. (Confirm exact posted business hours from the Google Business Profile before publishing.)
Contact: Phone 219-525-1000→ Contact / Free Consultation
Languages: English.
Social & Directory Profiles: