On Friday, September 26, 2025, the Indiana Supreme Court suspended attorney Zachary S. Kester from practicing law for 60 days, effective October 1, 2025, due to professional misconduct. The order stems from Kester’s actions while he was the managing attorney, executive director, or chief executive officer of Charitable Allies, Inc. (CA), a company marketing itself as providing affordable legal services to nonprofits.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Zachary S. Kester,” with case no. 24S-DI-153.

The case originated from CA’s representation of the Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana, Inc. (DSA) in 2019. DSA hired CA to recover funds misappropriated by its former executive director. A dispute arose over CA’s billing practices, with DSA raising concerns about the high fees. After DSA terminated CA’s services in October 2021, Kester filed an attorney fee lien in January 2022, seeking over $56,000, representing the alleged difference between billed fees and fair market value. The lien was filed without prior notice to DSA.

DSA’s successor counsel moved to remove the lien, and Kester responded by attempting to disqualify the successor counsel. The trial court sided with DSA, a decision Kester appealed. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision and ordered Kester to pay DSA’s appellate attorney fees. Kester also sued DSA’s successor counsel, a suit he later dismissed. DSA subsequently sued Kester and CA, which was settled for $75,000.

The Indiana Supreme Court found Kester violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules, including charging unreasonable fees, asserting positions without a non-frivolous basis, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

Kester is barred from taking on new legal matters between the order’s service and the suspension’s start date, and must fulfill the duties of a suspended attorney. Following the suspension, Kester will be automatically reinstated, provided no other suspensions are in effect. He is also responsible for the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.

According to Avvo.com, Mr. Kester is a tax attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended the Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, graduating in 2009. He acquired his law license in Indiana in the same year.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.