Attorneys | Michigan City, IN | Braje, Nelson & Janes, LLP

Craig V. Braje, born Melrose Park, Illinois, October 21, 1949; admitted to bar, 1974, Indiana and Illinois.

Education

Western Illinois University (B.A. 1971); Valparaiso University School of Law (J.D. 1974). Corporation Counsel, City of Michigan City, Indiana, 1976-1979. LaPorte County Deputy Prosecutor, 1979-1987. LaPorte County Attorney, 2012-2014.

Member

LaPorte County, Indiana State, Illinois State and American Bar Associations; Indiana Trial Lawyers Association; American Trial Lawyers Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

LaPorte County Chief Public Defender 1994 – Present.

Award

Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award, 1972.

Practice Areas

Civil and Criminal Litigation, Personal Injury Law, Commercial Law, Real Estate Law, Family Law, and Medical Malpractice Law.

William J. Nelson, Jr., born LaPorte, Indiana, January 8, 1965; admitted to bar, 1992, Indiana.

Education

Taylor University (B.A., 1987); Valparaiso University School of Law (J.D., 1992).

Member

LaPorte City, LaPorte County, Indiana State, and American Bar Associations.

American Staffing Association Legal & Legislative Committee

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

LaPorte County Deputy Public Defender, 1994-Current.

Practice Areas

Corporate and Business, Civil and Criminal Litigation, Municipal and Governmental Law, Aviation Law, Administrative Law, and Real Estate Law.

Elizabeth A. Flynn, born in Valparaiso, Indiana on March 22, 1970. She was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1995 and the Indiana bar in 1998.

Education

University of Evansville (B.A., Cum Laude, 1992); Valparaiso University School of Law (J.D., Cum Laude, 1995). Law Review 1994-1995. Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney 1995-1999.

Member

LaPorte County, Lake County, Illinois State, Indiana State and American Bar Associations.

LaPorte County Deputy Public Defender 2000 to present.

U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Practice Areas

Civil and Criminal Litigation, Personal Injury Law, Traffic Law, Creditor/Debtor Rights, Employment Law, Divorce, Child Support, Child Custody, Child Visitation, and Medical Malpractice Law.

Christopher L. Willoughby, Born Michigan City, Indiana, July 17, 1970; admitted to bar, 2002, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

Education

North Central College (B.A., 1994); Valparaiso University School of Law (J.D.,2001). Phi Delta Phi.

Member

LaPorte County, Porter County, Indiana State and American Bar Associations. National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Practice Areas

Estate Planning, Probate Law, Business Law, Real Estate Law, Municipal Law, Zoning Law, and Commercial Law.

David K. Payne has experience representing clients in criminal defense, landlord/tenant, and civil litigation in both State and Federal Court. He is a current LaPorte County Deputy Public Defender as well as a federal public defender under the Criminal Justice Act for the Northern District of Indiana. He has experience in appellate work and has argued before the Indiana Supreme Court.

Education

Purdue University NC – B.A. Liberal Studies

Indiana University NW – M.B.A.

Valparaiso University School of Law – J.D.

Member

LaPorte County, Indiana State and American Bar Association

Practice Areas

Civil and Criminal Litigation, Traffic Law, Family Law, Juvenile Law, Personal Injury Law and Bankruptcy

Jack R. Walton (born April 17, 1998, from Peoria, Illinois) is an associate attorney licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Indiana. Jack first joined the team at Braje, Nelson & Janes in September 2025, initially serving as a law clerk until being sworn in to the Indiana Bar in January 2026. As an attorney, Jack now focuses his practice on civil and criminal litigation, commercial law, real estate law, and municipal law. Before joining the firm, Jack earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Economics & Finance (2020) and Master of Public Administration (2021) from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He then received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2025.

He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Indiana Public Defender Council.

Jack is committed to working closely with his clients to develop practical legal strategies which align with their individual goals.

Braje, Nelson & Janes, LLP Attorneys in Michigan City, IN

Craig V. Braje

William J. Nelson Jr.

William Janes

Elizabeth A. Flynn

Christopher L. Willoughby

David K. Payne

Jack R. Walton

Paralegal Staff