J. Sebastian Smelko

J. Sebastian Smelko is a partner and Vice Chair of the Government Affairs & Regulatory Law Group at Ice Miller in Indianapolis, where he advises public and private sector clients on infrastructure investment, economic development, government affairs, and public policy strategy. His practice sits at the intersection of law, government, and long-range institutional planning, with a focus on helping clients structure and advance complex initiatives that shape communities, modernize public systems, and drive durable economic growth.

Sebastian brings a balanced blend of legal, policy, and political experience to his work. Before joining Ice Miller, he served as General Counsel for the Ports of Indiana and as Policy Director and Assistant General Counsel in the office of former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, where he gained firsthand experience in executive branch decision-making, legislative strategy, and the mechanics of turning ambitious policy ideas into actionable results.

His work spans public-private partnerships (P3s), regional development authorities, port and rail infrastructure, procurement, energy policy, broadband deployment, and utility-related initiatives. He has helped clients analyze project delivery methods, draft and advance legislation, align stakeholders, and build implementation strategies for projects that require both technical rigor and political durability.

Sebastian led the Ice Miller team representing the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority in connection with the largest commuter rail expansion in Indiana history, including the West Lake Corridor and the double tracking of the South Shore Line. He also helped develop and advance the legislative and strategic framework surrounding those projects, including drafting Indiana’s first legislation designed to encourage transit-oriented development.