2026 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Steven L. Langer
Steven L. Langer is a founding partner of Langer & Langer in Valparaiso, Indiana, and is in his 46th year of practice. Steve concentrates his practice on plaintiff’s medical malpractice litigation, dedicating his career to representing patients and families harmed by medical negligence.
Steve is a Past President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and a Past President of the College of Fellows of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. He has twice been honored as ITLA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2004 and 2009 in recognition of his professional excellence and leadership.
Steve and his wife Diana were awarded the Consumer Advocate of the Year Award by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2003. The award recognized their advocacy supporting individuals with dyslexia through the creation of the Porter County Reading Foundation.
Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as its Indiana State Chair. He is also a member of the American Law Institute.
Steve holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, has been selected as an Indiana Super Lawyer from 2008 through 2026, and has been included in Best Lawyers in America (2015–2026 editions) in the fields of medical malpractice and personal injury law. Steve has authored numerous publications on medical negligence and civil evidence and has worked tirelessly to advocate for victims of medical malpractice across Indiana.
Steve and Diana have been married for more than 37 years. Their children, Rob and Sara, both practice law at Langer & Langer with Steve.
Steve is a Past President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and a Past President of the College of Fellows of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. He has twice been honored as ITLA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2004 and 2009 in recognition of his professional excellence and leadership.
Steve and his wife Diana were awarded the Consumer Advocate of the Year Award by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2003. The award recognized their advocacy supporting individuals with dyslexia through the creation of the Porter County Reading Foundation.
Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as its Indiana State Chair. He is also a member of the American Law Institute.
Steve holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, has been selected as an Indiana Super Lawyer from 2008 through 2026, and has been included in Best Lawyers in America (2015–2026 editions) in the fields of medical malpractice and personal injury law. Steve has authored numerous publications on medical negligence and civil evidence and has worked tirelessly to advocate for victims of medical malpractice across Indiana.
Steve and Diana have been married for more than 37 years. Their children, Rob and Sara, both practice law at Langer & Langer with Steve.
“For an attorney who has devoted a lifetime of distinguished service to the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and in recognition of exceptional dedication to the preservation of the rights of the injured”
Steve was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award by Emily Guenin-Hodson, Dan Ladendorf, Mark Ladendorf, Dan Pfeifer, Jerry Garau, and Betsy Greene.
The text of their nomination is below.
It is our privilege to nominate Steven L. Langer for the 2026 Indiana Trial Lawyers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Steve is a 1977 graduate of Indiana University and a 1980 graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law. Steve is a Partner at the Valparaiso office of Langer and Langer, focusing on medical malpractice and personal injury.
Steve has shared his skills with our organization by serving not only as a former President of ITLA but also as former President of ITLA’s College of Fellows. Over the years Steve has contributed his time and talents in a variety of ways, including presenting at numerous CLE seminars and being exceptionally active on the amicus committee both as a past Chair of the committee and as a prolific amicus brief writer. Notably in the case of Bojko v. Anonymous, Steve (along with his daughter Sara) successfully argued that a trial court does not have the authority to act as a gatekeeper for what a party can include in its Medical Review Panel submission. Additionally, when med mal fee agreements came under scrutiny during the disciplinary case In re: Stephens, Steve was one of the lawyers who took the lead in fighting to preserve the status quo. Ultimately, the Indiana Supreme Court held that the fees in that case were reasonable and tacitly approved the fee agreement Indiana medical malpractice attorneys had been using for years.
Steve has also contributed significantly on the legislative side of things. He was instrumental during the 2016 legislative hearings which resulted in an increase in the medical malpractice cap on damages. He also successfully lobbied for the statue which gave a cause of action for the wrongful death of a viable fetus. Steve has shared his dedication and passion for justice with his family, including his children Rob and Sara who are also members of ITLA.
During his 45 years of service to the citizens of Indiana, Steve’s skills as a trial attorney possessing the highest degree of integrity and professionalism have been recognized by organizations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Law Institute.
Steve’s sincerity is outmatched only by his dedication to go above and beyond for his clients. One of the individuals Steve has represented and helped through a difficult situation expressed their appreciation for Steve as follows: “Steve is a no-nonsense but compassionate attorney and he is extremely meticulous and detail oriented. He leaves no stone unturned and while working with him you have no doubt that he is going to fully dedicate himself to your case.”
Steve’s earnestness, compassion, and attention to detail are what make him not only a tremendous trial attorney but also a valued colleague and friend.
WHEREFORE, it is with great honor that we, the above listed Past Presidents of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, are proud to nominate Steven L. Langer for the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Steve has shared his skills with our organization by serving not only as a former President of ITLA but also as former President of ITLA’s College of Fellows. Over the years Steve has contributed his time and talents in a variety of ways, including presenting at numerous CLE seminars and being exceptionally active on the amicus committee both as a past Chair of the committee and as a prolific amicus brief writer. Notably in the case of Bojko v. Anonymous, Steve (along with his daughter Sara) successfully argued that a trial court does not have the authority to act as a gatekeeper for what a party can include in its Medical Review Panel submission. Additionally, when med mal fee agreements came under scrutiny during the disciplinary case In re: Stephens, Steve was one of the lawyers who took the lead in fighting to preserve the status quo. Ultimately, the Indiana Supreme Court held that the fees in that case were reasonable and tacitly approved the fee agreement Indiana medical malpractice attorneys had been using for years.
Steve has also contributed significantly on the legislative side of things. He was instrumental during the 2016 legislative hearings which resulted in an increase in the medical malpractice cap on damages. He also successfully lobbied for the statue which gave a cause of action for the wrongful death of a viable fetus. Steve has shared his dedication and passion for justice with his family, including his children Rob and Sara who are also members of ITLA.
During his 45 years of service to the citizens of Indiana, Steve’s skills as a trial attorney possessing the highest degree of integrity and professionalism have been recognized by organizations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Law Institute.
Steve’s sincerity is outmatched only by his dedication to go above and beyond for his clients. One of the individuals Steve has represented and helped through a difficult situation expressed their appreciation for Steve as follows: “Steve is a no-nonsense but compassionate attorney and he is extremely meticulous and detail oriented. He leaves no stone unturned and while working with him you have no doubt that he is going to fully dedicate himself to your case.”
Steve’s earnestness, compassion, and attention to detail are what make him not only a tremendous trial attorney but also a valued colleague and friend.
WHEREFORE, it is with great honor that we, the above listed Past Presidents of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, are proud to nominate Steven L. Langer for the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.