Forty under 40: P. Adam Davis, 31

P. Adam Davis, 31

Managing partner, Davis & Sarbinoff

"I started a business. I know what it's like to work through the trials and tribulations of fostering a business to success," said P. Adam Davis, founder and managing partner of Indianapolis-based law firm Davis & Sarbinoff LLP, of

That approach has helped Davis's firm grow from an office in his home in 2004 to offices at Keystone at the Crossing housing five attorneys. Davis specializes in business law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate law, franchise law and commercial litigation. His firm regularly represents clients who more often are represented by much larger firms. In 2007, Davis & Sarbinoff was awarded WIBC-FM 93.1's Business Excellence Award, honoring Indiana businesses who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to community and superiority in the marketplace.

Davis and his father founded Debbie's Make You Smile Fund to honor his mother, Debbie Davis, who died in June 2005. Debbie Davis was the "Sticker Lady" and supermarket manager for Atlas Supermarket for 30 years. The fund raises money for the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center's CompleteLife Program, attending to the emotional, social, spiritual and physical needs of adult cancer patients. They have raised more than $100,000.

"My mother was a great influence on me for my customer-service outlook," Davis said. She always asked me when I was going to win the Forty Under 40."

Davis also is involved with Prevail, a victim-awareness and -support program for Hamilton and surrounding counties, and Chaucie's Place, a child-advocacy center in Hamilton County for victims of abuse and neglect.

Davis grew up in Carmel and attended Carmel High School and IU, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and criminal justice and his law degree. Davis says he loved every second of law school in Bloomington, where he was president of his law school class, served on the moot court board and graduated with honors.

Before opening his own firm, Davis worked for Indianapolis law firm Kroger Gardis & Regas. "I credit much of my success to my mentors at Kroger, Gardis and Regas," said Davis.

Davis, who "always wanted to be a rock star," loves playing bass guitar and writing music. He and his wife, Angela, have two children - son Addison, 7, and daughter Avalon, 2. He credits his wife with motivating him in college. "I met a girl who didn't want to date anybody dumb. My grades went from Ds to As."