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Samuel D. Hodson
- E shodson@taftlaw.com
- T (317) 713-3557
- F (317) 715-4532
Summary
Sam’s practice focuses on debt restructuring, refinancing, workouts and bankruptcy. With extensive experience representing debtors, creditors, trustees and receivers inside and outside bankruptcy, Sam’s work has included numerous Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 bankruptcies for entities and Chapter 7 and 13 for individuals impacted by business distress. Sam also represents companies and individuals in disputes with state and federal taxing authorities, as well as the municipalities and organizations with which they do business. His experience includes general obligation bonds, tax increment financing bonds, private/public partnerships, utility rate adjustments, annexation, redevelopment grants and general regulatory matters.
Sam is a member of Taft’s Distressed Company Task Force which was created to assist borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Taft team assists borrower clients in navigating negotiations with their lenders, suppliers, taxing authorities and stakeholders. Sam is also board certified in business bankruptcy and serves on the board of directors of the American Board of Certification, the organization which certifies bankruptcy lawyers. He also serves as president of the Indiana chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA Indiana).
Committed to helping his Indianapolis community, Sam currently serves as a director on the boards of Music for All, a national music advocacy organization based in Indianapolis and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Indiana. He has also advised, on a pro bono basis, Art With A Heart, the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Partners in Housing and Trusted Mentors. Sam has helped several not-for-profit organizations obtain 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. He regularly helps boards and board members of troubled charities navigate their problems while protecting their officers and members.
Sam is recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights, Insolvency and Reorganization, Tax Litigation and Controversy and Banking and Finance. He was honored by Best Lawyers® as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Indianapolis market: in 2018 for Litigation-Banking and Finance, in 2017 for Litigation-Bankruptcy, and in 2016 and 2023 for Litigation and Controversy-Tax. He has been recognized in Indiana Super Lawyers for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights since 2010. He has also earned an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and was recognized in 2017 as “Platinum Client Champion.”
Awards
Honoree, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers®, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Indianapolis
(2016, 2023, 2025)
Taft Pro Bono Honor Roll Award
(2022)
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Honoree, Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Litigation (2018)
Honoree, Lawyer of the Year, Indianapolis, Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy Litigation
(2017)
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America (2012 – present)
-
Honoree, Indiana Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights, Business and Finance
(2010 – present)
AV Peer Review Rated (Preeminent), LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell
-
Certified Business Bankruptcy Specialist, American Board of Certification (2006 – present)
All Service Areas
All Practices
All Industries
Education
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (1986)
- Indiana University Kelley School of Business (M.B.A., Finance) (1990)
- Indiana University (B.A., Political Science) (1982)
Admissions
- State - Indiana
- Federal - Northern District of Indiana
- Federal - Southern District of Indiana
News
Twenty-Eight Taft Attorneys Named Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" 2025 News
Three Hundred Sixty-Three Taft Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2025 News
Twenty-Five Taft Attorneys Recognized in Indiana Super Lawyers 2024 News
Three Hundred Six Taft Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2024
Past Events
Professional Affiliations
- Turnaround Management Association
President, Indiana Chapter
- Indianapolis Bar Association
Member
- Indiana State Bar Association
Member
Chair, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Section (2016) - American Bankruptcy Institute
Member
- AV Peer Review Rating (LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell)
- American Board of Certification
Director
- Indiana Association for Corporate Renewal
Treasurer
Community Involvement
- Indiana University
Adjunct Professor, Political Science Department
- Music for All
Director
- Trusted Mentors
Counsel
- Art With A Heart
Counsel
- Myers for Greenwood
Campaign Chair
- Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Director and Secretary
- Midwest Clinic for Band and Orchestra
Director