ERIK LAURENTZ AUFDERHEIDE MS. JD., founded the firm after practicing under the guidance of several experienced trial attorneys and after operating his private practice, AUFDERHEIDE LAW OFFICES LLC. For an additional two years Erik managed the partnership of AUFDERHEIDE & LEEPER LLC attorneys at law. Erik has 20 years experience owning, operating, and managing: commercial, industrial, and residential real estate. Simultaniously, Erik completed twenty - five years of aviation service in the US Air Force Reserves and is now a "full bird" Colonel. Before joining the Air Force, and while working on his undergraduate degree, Erik earned an Indiana Real Estate Sales license in order to buy, sell, and manage real estate during college.

While on active duty with the Air Force, Erik completed a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science and later, after separating from active duty, he earned a law degree from Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis. During law school Erik became the captain of the trial litigation team and competed in out-of-state trial level competitions. Erik additionally managed cases for the criminal and civil defense clinics, assisted prominent Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys where he successfully defended C felonies in Marion County. Erik currently owns a real estate development company consisting of commercial, industrial, and residential real estate; flies military jets on the weekends, and practices Business litigation, Real Property and Family Law during the week. Colonel Aufderheide is married to his wife Kati and they have two sons. 

Erik is a member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, The Indianapolis Bar Association, a certified civil mediator, and certified to practice law in the Northern District of Indiana Court and Southern District of Indiana Court.

MILITARY EXPERIENCE

Erik is currently the Vice Wing Commander of the 914th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) Niagara Falls NY. Colonel Aufderheide is an Instructor and Evaluator pilot in the KC-135R Stratotanker. He is additionally a multi-rated fixed-wing jet and helicopter pilot with over thirty-five hundred total hours flying time. Airframe experience include the T-41, T37, AT-38C, UH-1, HH60G, and KC135R. Colonel Aufderheide has flown for Air Force Special Operations Command (HH60 school house) and later Air Combat Command in Iraq (Operation Norther/Southern Watch "no-fly-zones" over Iraq). After separating from active duty Erik joined the Michigan Air National Guard at Battle Creek. As a member of the 172nd Fighter Squadron Erik flew the AT-38C Talon, a super sonic fighter trainer. Shortly thereafter the MI unit was dissolved by order of the state. Erik then joined the Air Force Reserves at Grissom Air Force Reserve Base in Indiana (434th ARW). and began flying the KC135R; a multi-engine air-refueling jet. While at Grissom ARB, Colonel Aufderheide led overseas missions to Iraq, Afghanastan, Kuwait, Qatar, Germany, Guam, Italy, England, Spain, Australia, etc.. He served the 434th ARW as a Flight Commander, 72d ARS Squadron Commander, and 434th Deputy Operations Group Commander. As the current Vice Wing Commander, Colonel Aufderheide is the second in command of Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base NY where he helps oversee the operation of a 3000 plus personnel (military, civil service, and contract employees). Additionally, Colonel Aufderheide is the acting Operations Group Commander where he is overseeing the conversion of airframes from the C130 to the KC135R.