Stephen D. Bannwart received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Indiana University - Bloomington in 1976. Mr. Bannwart graduated from the Valparaiso School of Law in 1993. Prior to entering law school, Mr. Bannwart was employed in the claims department of a major insurance company and was a claims supervisor in their Chicago and Mishawaka, Indiana offices.

Prior to joining Kopka, Pinkus, Dolin & Eads, P.C., Mr. Bannwart practiced law for twelve years in Hammond, Indiana in the areas of automobile liability, products liability, including asbestos litigation, and worker's compensation in Illinois and Indiana. Mr. Bannwart was also involved in Section 1983 and eminent domain litigation for the City of Hammond. Mr. Bannwart served two years as the attorney for the Hammond Human Relations Commission concerning enforcement of the fair housing statutes. Mr. Bannwart currently concentrates his practice in the areas of automobile liability and products liability in Indiana.

Mr. Bannwart has been married thirty years to his wife, Loretta, and has three grown children. Mr. Bannwart is active in his church. He has served as president of his congregation and helped write the congregation's current constitution.