John D. Waller

Partner

John protects the interests of parties when businesses default on loans of all kinds, including; commercial real estate, loans secured by multi-family projects, senior nursing/assisted living facilities, agricultural operations and small businesses. This includes serving as an advocate during the work out of underperforming loans; filing and defending lawsuits to enforce promissory notes, guaranties, and other written contracts; foreclosing mortgages and enforcing personal property security interests; applying for court-ordered receiverships; protecting lien rights in bankruptcy court; purchasing or selling distressed loans; and representing court-appointed receivers.

His practice also includes representing mortgage loan servicers and the corresponding trusts/investors in consumer finance litigation, including contested residential foreclosures, title insurance claims, regulatory violation cases, tax sale disputes, and compliance matters. John also asserts the rights of parties in complex, real estate-related and title litigation and represents companies and individuals in contract disputes.

John completed a week-long professional training program in trial skills presented by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

Since 2006, John has published the blog Indiana Commercial Foreclosure Law. 

Credentials

Education

Indiana University School of Law (J.D., 1993)

DePauw University (B.A., 1990)

Bar admissions

  • Indiana

Court admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Affiliations and memberships

  • Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Indiana State Bar Association

Distinctions

  • Peer Review Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Indiana Super Lawyer® (2004, 2011 – 2025)
  • Best Lawyers®
    • Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law (2015, 2016, 2019, 2022-2024)
    •  Commercial Litigation (2022-2024)
    • Commercial Transactions/UCC Law (2022-2024)
    • “Lawyer of the Year” for Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law (2022, 2024)

News
  • August 21, 2025

    260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch

  • February 18, 2025

    Seven Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Indiana Super Lawyers, Rising Stars

  • August 15, 2024

    250+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers ®, Ones to Watch

  • February 28, 2024

    Seven Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2024 Indiana Super Lawyers, Rising Stars

  • August 17, 2023

    200+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers®, “Ones to Watch”

  • August 17, 2023

    26 Dinsmore Attorneys Named Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyer of the Year”

  • February 28, 2023

    Indiana Super Lawyers Honors 11 Dinsmore Attorneys

  • August 18, 2022

    2023 Best Lawyers® List Recognizes 190 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys

  • February 24, 2022

    12 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys Named to Indiana Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Lists

  • August 19, 2021

    23 Dinsmore Attorneys Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ by Best Lawyers®