Ameen Najjar’s path to the law began in a police uniform rather than a classroom. Right after graduating from Michigan State University, he entered the Indianapolis Police Department Training Academy. As an officer, he worked alongside civil and criminal lawyers whose work he admired, and that inspired him to pursue a legal career. He went on to earn his J.D. from Indiana University McKinney School of Law and was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1992.
Today, Ameen defends clients in first- and third-party automobile liability matters, and his approach begins with listening to and understanding their expectations. He calls the first meeting with a new client especially rewarding, since clients often arrive intimidated, even afraid of the legal process. He takes pride in easing those concerns by explaining what lies ahead, and he keeps clients informed as their case progresses. Technology and persuasive writing matter, he says, but neither can replace practical judgment and plain, direct communication.
His police background still shapes his work. He once represented three IMPD officers in a federal civil rights case. Accustomed to serving as officers rather than defendants, they had to adjust to a new perspective, so he worked closely with them to prepare for trial. After a multi-day federal trial, the jury found in their favor on every count.
At Kopka Law Group, Ameen looks forward to growing into more complex vehicle cases and bad faith work, and to returning to civil rights defense. He chose Kopka for its reputation across Indianapolis and the Midwest, and for a culture that pairs the resources of a large firm with a collaborative feel. He also hopes to mentor younger attorneys and support staff.
Outside the office, Ameen calls his passions the three Fs: family, faith, and fitness. He and his wife, Liz, raised four children in Indianapolis, and all four went through St. Simon the Apostle School and Bishop Chatard High School before graduating from Indiana University. St. Simon is also the family’s parish, where they’ve been active since 1996. Ameen cycles with Central Indiana Cycling, logs plenty of miles outdoors, and moves indoors to Lifetime Fitness in winter for cycling, weights, and the occasional yoga class.
He also serves on the all-volunteer board of Horizons West, a condominium community on Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida. When Hurricane Helene flooded the complex in September 2024, he saw firsthand how much a group of dedicated volunteers and staff could accomplish to rebuild it.