Christopher L. Clerc

I proudly carry a AAA Auto Club Membership card and enjoy sharing my life story through my license plates. During my days as a solo practitioner in downtown Columbus, I had the plate 2BA SOLO (“Tuba solo”), reflecting my love for playing the tuba with local bands and orchestras. Those wild nights on Fourth Street brought mixed reviews and minimal applause from family and friends, but they remain fond memories. When I met and married my wife, Jin, my license plate IOBJCT (“I Object”) found its counterpart in her OVR RULD (“Overruled”). After a decade of trial work, I transitioned to a role with the state, where the plate T4XMAN (“Tax man”) captured the essence of my work. I focused on transactional matters, tax issues, and in-house representation for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), Indiana’s second-largest state tax collector. I led cost-saving initiatives that helped maintain low fees for the BMV and ensured that every cent, out of the $1.4 billion collected in fees and taxes, was correctly allocated among numerous state and local funds. My work also included negotiating contracts with government entities and private manufacturers and suppliers, both large and small. Contracts, taxes, and trials have always fascinated me, as they present puzzles I enjoy solving for my clients. The more challenging the case, the more rewarding the process.