Doneaka V. Brooks

Doneaka Brooks joined our Indianapolis office with a strong, diverse background spanning civil defense, criminal law, regulatory compliance, and legal education. Her practice focuses on civil defense and insurance matters, where she brings a detail-driven approach and a deep understanding of investigations and regulations.

Before entering civil defense, Doneaka served as the Assistant Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.  Next, she served as defense counsel in both state and federal criminal courts, with a focus in federal court handling a range of complex matters including money laundering, Hobbs Act Robbery, fraud, child exploitation, firearms cases and large conspiracy drug distribution cases. Her extensive experience navigating high-stakes criminal cases strengthens her ability to analyze risk and assess exposure. As a member of the federal Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) panel she served as the national representative for the Southern District of Indiana, 7^th Circuit representative and as the Co-Chair of the Defender Services Advisory Group (“DSAG”) in Washington, D.C. As the Co-Chair of DSAG she represented over 10,000, CJA federal criminal defense attorneys nationally regarding policies, procedures and legislation.

Doneaka also worked in the Office of Corporation Counsel, where she interpreted and enforced rules and regulations related to zoning in the City of Indianapolis. She ensured compliance by local businesses and contractors, advised on regulatory obligations, and handled civil witnesses and complaints involving ordinance violations.

From 2019 to 2021, she served as an adjunct professor at the IU McKinney School of Law, teaching and mentoring future legal professionals.

When she is not at the office, she supports programs like Center for Leadership Development (CLD”), TeenWorks and Summer Work Experience in Law (“SWEL”). For fun she enjoys travel, fitness, attending artist exhibitions, performances, and a little adventure; she has skydived more than 5 times!