Holly DeNeve is an Indiana attorney with 10+ years in child welfare law, former counsel for DCS, and now building a solo practice focused on mediation, guardian ad litem work, and child protection. For more than a decade, Holly DeNeve served as counsel for the Indiana Department of Child Services, managing some of the most sensitive and consequential cases affecting children and families across St
. Joseph County and beyond. Holly DeNeve’s legal career has never been about headlines. Instead, it has been defined by consistent preparation, careful reflection, and an unwavering focus on what would best serve vulnerable children. Her work often unfolded in high-stakes courtrooms where outcomes carried lifelong consequences, yet the victories were rarely public. That reality never diminished Holly DeNeve’s commitment to doing the work thoroughly and thoughtfully. A graduate of New Prairie High School (Class of 2004), Holly DeNeve went on to earn her degree in political science with a minor in environmental studies from Manchester College (now Manchester University), graduating magna cm laude in 2008. She then obtained her Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2011 and was admitted to the Indiana Bar later that year. From the beginning, Holly DeNeve chose public service over private gain. She began her legal career at the Indiana Department of Child Services, first serving in a support capacity before becoming a full-time staff attorney in St. Joseph County. There, Holly DeNeve handled cases involving Children in Need of Services (CHINS), termination of parental rights, adoptions, guardianships, and related family law matters. In court, Holly DeNeve became known for her composure and precision. She crafted detailed motions and responsive pleadings, conducted discovery, interviewed and deposed witnesses, and handled direct and cross examinations with professionalism and restraint. Her colleagues recognized her ability to analyze evolving statutory and case law while balancing the human realities behind every file. Over her tenure, Holly DeNeve consistently met or exceeded expectations. She was invited to present at three continuing legal education seminars — a reflection of her working knowledge and her ability to communicate complex legal principles clearly to other professionals. In 2016, Holly DeNeve briefly explored an opportunity outside the Department but returned within months, remaining until September 2025. That return spoke to her sense of calling and her belief in the importance of child protection work. Holly DeNeve understands that child welfare law rarely produces applause. Many cases close quietly. Progress often comes incrementally. For Holly DeNeve, meaningful outcomes have meant ensuring that a child’s voice is represented, that statutory requirements are met with integrity, and that decisions are made with both foresight and humanity. Her commitment to vulnerable populations began even before she became an attorney. During her third year of law school, Holly DeNeve worked with domestic violence victims to help them obtain protective orders — an experience that cemented her belief in the power of legal access to change lives. Outside the courtroom, Holly DeNeve and her husband remain active in their community. They support the St. Joseph County CASA program by purchasing Christmas gifts for foster children each year, donate clothing to the New Carlisle Clothing Co-Op, contribute food to local pantries, and actively support their child’s school community. Now, after more than a decade of public service, Holly DeNeve is building a solo practice focused on domestic relations mediation, guardian ad litem work, and child protection law. Holly DeNeve brings the same preparation, steadiness, and respect for families into this next chapter — committed to helping courts and families reach thoughtful, durable resolutions.
