Speakers listed in alphabetic order. Scroll to navigate.
Jamison Allen, Loyalty Law
With over two decades of experience, Jamison Allen founded Loyalty Law, LLC and opened for business on January 1, 2026. Loyalty Law primarily litigates vehicle and premises injuries. Jamison is best known for obtaining a $3,000,000 verdict for an injured 93-year-old plaintiff in August 2022 after a mediator had recommended settlement at $400,000. Jamison’s client was determined to seek full justice, and her verdict has been used by elderly plaintiffs across Indiana to increase settlements. In addition, Jamison prevailed in an Indiana Supreme Court case when he second-chaired the appeal in Clark v. Mattar, 148 N.E.3d. 220 (Ind. 2020), the case holding that a potential juror who rejects the concept of non-economic damages should be removed for cause.
Jamison is recognized by Super Lawyers and is an active member of several organizations, including the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Indiana State Bar Association. Jamison’s trial skills are informed by his experience in the arts, and he can periodically be found performing in local venues as a swing dancer, musician, and actor.
Jamison is recognized by Super Lawyers and is an active member of several organizations, including the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Indiana State Bar Association. Jamison’s trial skills are informed by his experience in the arts, and he can periodically be found performing in local venues as a swing dancer, musician, and actor.
Tony Ashford, Ashford Law Group, P.C.
C. Anthony (Tony) Ashford grew up in Merrillville, Indiana, and graduated from Merrillville High School in 1990. Tony received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1993, with distinction, and was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Eta Sigma national honor societies. Tony continued his education at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, where he became an editor of the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies. He graduated from law school cum laude in 1996, and received his license to practice before the Indiana Supreme Court, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana in November of 1996. Tony is also licensed before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
For more than twenty years, Tony has had extensive experience in litigation, handling thousands of varied litigation cases and settling the vast majority of them. Tony has also tried more than forty jury trials, numerous bench trials, administrative hearings, and appeals. From small claims cases to multimillion-dollar jury trials, Tony has varied and substantial litigation experience. He has tried cases on the plaintiff’s side as well as the defense’s side. He is also a frequent lecturer in the areas of personal injury, insurance litigation, and civil trial. Furthermore, Tony has worked as both inside and outside corporate counsel for businesses in Northwest Indiana. That vast litigation experience gives Tony a unique perspective in business planning and litigation avoidance and allows him to provide effective and efficient services to his clients.
For more than twenty years, Tony has had extensive experience in litigation, handling thousands of varied litigation cases and settling the vast majority of them. Tony has also tried more than forty jury trials, numerous bench trials, administrative hearings, and appeals. From small claims cases to multimillion-dollar jury trials, Tony has varied and substantial litigation experience. He has tried cases on the plaintiff’s side as well as the defense’s side. He is also a frequent lecturer in the areas of personal injury, insurance litigation, and civil trial. Furthermore, Tony has worked as both inside and outside corporate counsel for businesses in Northwest Indiana. That vast litigation experience gives Tony a unique perspective in business planning and litigation avoidance and allows him to provide effective and efficient services to his clients.
Todd Barsumian, Barsumian Armiger LLC
Todd Barsumian is a member of Barsumian Armiger LLC with offices in Newburgh and Fishers. Todd works out of the firm’s Newburgh office, helping individuals and families in serious injury and wrongful death cases.
Todd is licensed to practice in Indiana and Kentucky and registered as a mediator in Indiana. Todd was previously a partner in an Evansville law firm where he handled motor vehicle, construction, and product liability cases, as well as business disputes often premised upon unfair competition and trade secret laws.
Todd’s representation of a young boy permanently injured by a product and cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission helped prompt a national recall of the product. The case also contributed to Todd’s decision shortly thereafter to narrow his practice and represent only the victims of negligence. He has tried injury cases to juries in Indiana, Kentucky, and federal court. He is also a registered mediator in Indiana and routinely mediates torts, as well as the occasional business dispute.
Mr. Barsumian attended Hanover College and graduated with honors from Drake University Law School where he also served on the Drake Law Review. His Drake Law Review Note about bail bondsmen and bounty hunters has been cited by courts in Illinois, New York and Washington and secondary sources, including the Yale Law Journal. Todd has been selected as an Indiana Super Lawyer and Rising Star on multiple occasions since 2009 and is AV-rated.
Todd and his wife reside in the Newburgh area with their 3 children.
Todd is licensed to practice in Indiana and Kentucky and registered as a mediator in Indiana. Todd was previously a partner in an Evansville law firm where he handled motor vehicle, construction, and product liability cases, as well as business disputes often premised upon unfair competition and trade secret laws.
Todd’s representation of a young boy permanently injured by a product and cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission helped prompt a national recall of the product. The case also contributed to Todd’s decision shortly thereafter to narrow his practice and represent only the victims of negligence. He has tried injury cases to juries in Indiana, Kentucky, and federal court. He is also a registered mediator in Indiana and routinely mediates torts, as well as the occasional business dispute.
Mr. Barsumian attended Hanover College and graduated with honors from Drake University Law School where he also served on the Drake Law Review. His Drake Law Review Note about bail bondsmen and bounty hunters has been cited by courts in Illinois, New York and Washington and secondary sources, including the Yale Law Journal. Todd has been selected as an Indiana Super Lawyer and Rising Star on multiple occasions since 2009 and is AV-rated.
Todd and his wife reside in the Newburgh area with their 3 children.
Tina Bell, Christie Bell & Marshall
Tina M. Bell is a former defense attorney who represented doctors, nurses, hospitals, and their insurance companies for over a decade in her early career. During that time, Tina learned the tactics used by the defense. She now represents the victims of medical negligence and uses that knowledge to the advantage of her clients. Just as there are two sides to any coin, there are two sides to a medical malpractice claim and Tina knows both sides. In 2009, she felt called to dedicate her practice to representing the victims of medical malpractice instead of the health care providers. She is deeply passionate about getting justice for her clients and, in turn, making the health care system safer and better for all citizens of Indiana.
Tina is the proud parent of two college age daughters – one at Purdue and one at SMU. Tina attends church at Itown. She and her girls have a love for working in the mission field together, both locally and abroad.
Tina is the proud parent of two college age daughters – one at Purdue and one at SMU. Tina attends church at Itown. She and her girls have a love for working in the mission field together, both locally and abroad.
Matt Bigler, Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler
Matt attended Indiana State University where he received his bachelor's degree in Social Science Education in 2005. While at Indiana State, Matt was encouraged by a professor to consider graduate school and enrolled at Purdue University where he earned his MA in Political Science in 2007. Matt finished his education at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. While at McKinney, Matt interned with the Indiana State Senate minority counsel's office and with the Marion County Prosecutor's office where he was assigned to the Sex Crimes Division.
After being admitted to the Bar in 2010, Matt began his career as a deputy prosecutor in Warrick County, Indiana where he prosecuted various misdemeanor and felony offenses. He was able to return to Indianapolis and take a position with the Marion Co. Prosecutor's Office. Over his five years with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Matt spent the majority of his time prosecuting OVWI cases. His final two years as a deputy prosecutor were as the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team prosecutor. As the FACT prosecutor, Matt was the sole deputy prosecutor responsible for prosecuting all fatal traffic crashes in Indianapolis. Matt was involved in cases from their investigation at the scene of the crash all the way to sentencing In addition to dozens of jury trials before he was the FACT prosecutor, Matt was able to take ten FACT cases to jury trial.
After being admitted to the Bar in 2010, Matt began his career as a deputy prosecutor in Warrick County, Indiana where he prosecuted various misdemeanor and felony offenses. He was able to return to Indianapolis and take a position with the Marion Co. Prosecutor's Office. Over his five years with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Matt spent the majority of his time prosecuting OVWI cases. His final two years as a deputy prosecutor were as the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team prosecutor. As the FACT prosecutor, Matt was the sole deputy prosecutor responsible for prosecuting all fatal traffic crashes in Indianapolis. Matt was involved in cases from their investigation at the scene of the crash all the way to sentencing In addition to dozens of jury trials before he was the FACT prosecutor, Matt was able to take ten FACT cases to jury trial.
Jill Bracken-Emerson, Emerson Law LLC
Jill Bracken-Emerson is a Partner at Emerson Divorce & Accident Injury Attorneys, LLC, where she practices law with her husband, JR Emerson. Jill has nearly 30 years of experience as a practicing attorney in and around central Indiana. She has spent her legal career helping people who have suffered severe personal injuries or who have lost a loved one secondary to a wrongful death. She also routinely represents high asset family law clients in Hamilton and Boone counties, which helps keep her trial skills sharp.
She has tried multiple medical malpractice jury trials to verdict either as first- or second-chair. She has been recognized as a SuperLawyer and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. She has been a Sustaining Member of ITLA since 2008 and a Barrister in the Sagamore Inn of Court since 2009. She is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Hamilton County Bar Association, the Boone County Bar Association, and IndyBar. She graduated from Purdue University in 1990, then graduated cum laude from the McKinney School of Law in 1995.
She is the mother of three young adults, all of whom are now back in college. Her oldest daughter is a 1L at Maurer School of Law, her middle child is getting a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Idaho State University, and her son is a Senior at Purdue in Engineering. Jill grew up on a farm near Crawfordsville, Indiana where she learned the value of hard work and doing the right thing. When not practicing law, you can find Jill walking her dog or relaxing on the water at Morse Reservoir. Her husband is an avid golfer, and she often tags along to drive the cart.
She has tried multiple medical malpractice jury trials to verdict either as first- or second-chair. She has been recognized as a SuperLawyer and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. She has been a Sustaining Member of ITLA since 2008 and a Barrister in the Sagamore Inn of Court since 2009. She is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Hamilton County Bar Association, the Boone County Bar Association, and IndyBar. She graduated from Purdue University in 1990, then graduated cum laude from the McKinney School of Law in 1995.
She is the mother of three young adults, all of whom are now back in college. Her oldest daughter is a 1L at Maurer School of Law, her middle child is getting a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Idaho State University, and her son is a Senior at Purdue in Engineering. Jill grew up on a farm near Crawfordsville, Indiana where she learned the value of hard work and doing the right thing. When not practicing law, you can find Jill walking her dog or relaxing on the water at Morse Reservoir. Her husband is an avid golfer, and she often tags along to drive the cart.
Chet Cameron, Midwest Injury Lawyers
Chester “Chet” L. Cameron, Jr. is a native of Northwest Indiana and a nationally recognized trial lawyer whose career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to justice for injured individuals and systemic accountability. He is the co-founding partner of Midwest Injury Lawyers, LLC, where his practice is devoted primarily to complex medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death litigation throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, while also pursuing select civil rights cases that present profound questions of constitutional protection and public accountability. Over the course of his career, Chet has secured numerous significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients, resulting in many millions of dollars in recoveries for individuals and families harmed by negligence and misconduct.
From the outset of his practice, Chet made a defining professional choice to represent only plaintiffs—never insurance companies or civil defendants—reflecting his dedication to fairness, accountability, and meaningful access to justice. His recent civil rights work includes securing a $6.95 million wrongful-conviction settlement for Angel Diaz, who spent 15 years imprisoned before his conviction was vacated due to coerced testimony and investigative misconduct, as well as a $4 million recovery for the Estate of Dewayne Tucker, whose family sought accountability following his death while in pretrial custody. These matters reflect Chet’s belief that, even while concentrating on complex injury and medical negligence litigation, trial lawyers retain a vital responsibility to pursue cases that safeguard constitutional rights and community trust in the justice system.
Chet Cameron is a frequent lecturer and educator who has presented at continuing legal education programs on a range of topics related to civil litigation. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Valparaiso University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. During law school, Chet served as a judicial extern to United States Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and as a student attorney with the Innocence Project. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Courts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, as well as multiple federal courts throughout the Seventh Circuit.
He is a Sustaining Member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is also active in the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, the Kimbrough Bar Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. When not practicing law, Chet can usually be found spending time with his wife and children or attending a Chicago White Sox game.
From the outset of his practice, Chet made a defining professional choice to represent only plaintiffs—never insurance companies or civil defendants—reflecting his dedication to fairness, accountability, and meaningful access to justice. His recent civil rights work includes securing a $6.95 million wrongful-conviction settlement for Angel Diaz, who spent 15 years imprisoned before his conviction was vacated due to coerced testimony and investigative misconduct, as well as a $4 million recovery for the Estate of Dewayne Tucker, whose family sought accountability following his death while in pretrial custody. These matters reflect Chet’s belief that, even while concentrating on complex injury and medical negligence litigation, trial lawyers retain a vital responsibility to pursue cases that safeguard constitutional rights and community trust in the justice system.
Chet Cameron is a frequent lecturer and educator who has presented at continuing legal education programs on a range of topics related to civil litigation. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Valparaiso University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. During law school, Chet served as a judicial extern to United States Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and as a student attorney with the Innocence Project. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Courts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, as well as multiple federal courts throughout the Seventh Circuit.
He is a Sustaining Member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is also active in the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, the Kimbrough Bar Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. When not practicing law, Chet can usually be found spending time with his wife and children or attending a Chicago White Sox game.
Brad Catlin, Williams Law Group, LLC
Brad is senior counsel with Williams Law Group, an Indianapolis based plaintiffs’ litigation firm. Brad was recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America in 2022.
Brad’s practice focuses on complex and class litigation, including legal malpractice, commercial litigation, defamation, and civil rights. Brad has obtained multiple jury verdicts in excess of $10 million, including one in excess of $130 million, and is admitted to practice in the States of Indiana and Ohio.
Brad is a native of Westfield, Indiana and attended Wabash College as an Honor Scholar. He graduated from Wabash cum laude with an A.B. in Political Science and obtained his law degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Law. After law school, Brad served as a law clerk to Hon. Mary DeGenaro of Ohio’s Seventh District Court of Appeals, where, in addition to his regular clerkship responsibilities, he helped prepare material for the Ohio exam governing certification as a specialist in Appellate Law.
Brad is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the Indianapolis Bar Association. He is frequently asked to speak to lawyers on a variety of subjects, including the use of technology in a legal practice and recent developments in Indiana law. Brad is also regularly asked to volunteer as a moot judge for the Indiana Appellate Institute. Brad authors Technolawgical, a column on the use of technology in a legal practice, in the Verdict, the quarterly publication of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Brad’s practice focuses on complex and class litigation, including legal malpractice, commercial litigation, defamation, and civil rights. Brad has obtained multiple jury verdicts in excess of $10 million, including one in excess of $130 million, and is admitted to practice in the States of Indiana and Ohio.
Brad is a native of Westfield, Indiana and attended Wabash College as an Honor Scholar. He graduated from Wabash cum laude with an A.B. in Political Science and obtained his law degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Law. After law school, Brad served as a law clerk to Hon. Mary DeGenaro of Ohio’s Seventh District Court of Appeals, where, in addition to his regular clerkship responsibilities, he helped prepare material for the Ohio exam governing certification as a specialist in Appellate Law.
Brad is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the Indianapolis Bar Association. He is frequently asked to speak to lawyers on a variety of subjects, including the use of technology in a legal practice and recent developments in Indiana law. Brad is also regularly asked to volunteer as a moot judge for the Indiana Appellate Institute. Brad authors Technolawgical, a column on the use of technology in a legal practice, in the Verdict, the quarterly publication of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Dan Chamberlain, CohenMalad, LLP | Trial Lawyers
Daniel S. Chamberlain was named one of the Top 50 Indiana Lawyers and is a member of a select group of attorneys that is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Dan has repeatedly been named to the “Best Lawyers” in America and “SuperLawyers”. These distinctions are earned following extensive trial experience, examination, and references provided by members of the Judiciary, lawyers, and clients.
Dan Chamberlain served on the Executive Committee and Board of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA, Washington, D.C.), the Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI, Indianapolis, Indiana), and the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA, Indianapolis, Indiana). Dan was honored to serve as the BIAA Chair in 2014-15 and spearheaded the organization’s efforts, in part, through 30 State and Affiliate Chapters, including Indiana and North Carolina, where Dan is fully licensed to practice law. In March, 2014, Dan was selected to represent the Brain Injury Association of America at the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., with the Directors of the Centers for Disease Control, Wounded Warriors Project, Kessler Foundation, National Institutes ofHealth and Walter Reed Medical Center. Dan served as a corporate sponsor of BIAI since 2000. In 2017- 18, Dan served as President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2017-2018. Dan is a Board Member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association. (NCVBA).
Daniel S. Chamberlain is a Partner at Cohen & Malad, LLP., an Indianapolis based but nationally recognized law firm. Founded 50 years ago, Cohen & Malad, LLP. includes a preeminent group of attorneys representing the wrongfully injured and killed and a dedicated staff supporting our mission to provide excellent legal representation.
Dan Chamberlain served on the Executive Committee and Board of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA, Washington, D.C.), the Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI, Indianapolis, Indiana), and the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA, Indianapolis, Indiana). Dan was honored to serve as the BIAA Chair in 2014-15 and spearheaded the organization’s efforts, in part, through 30 State and Affiliate Chapters, including Indiana and North Carolina, where Dan is fully licensed to practice law. In March, 2014, Dan was selected to represent the Brain Injury Association of America at the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., with the Directors of the Centers for Disease Control, Wounded Warriors Project, Kessler Foundation, National Institutes ofHealth and Walter Reed Medical Center. Dan served as a corporate sponsor of BIAI since 2000. In 2017- 18, Dan served as President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2017-2018. Dan is a Board Member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association. (NCVBA).
Daniel S. Chamberlain is a Partner at Cohen & Malad, LLP., an Indianapolis based but nationally recognized law firm. Founded 50 years ago, Cohen & Malad, LLP. includes a preeminent group of attorneys representing the wrongfully injured and killed and a dedicated staff supporting our mission to provide excellent legal representation.
Rich Cook, Rich Cook Law
Following law school, Rich began working as a law clerk for the Honorable Andrew P. Rodovich, who served as a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana in Hammond, Lake County Indiana. While there, Rich worked for Magistrate Judge Rodovich on a wide array of cases involving environmental litigation, serious personal injury claims, civil rights claims, preliminary injunctions, and complex criminal pretrial motions. He had a chance to see some of the best civil and criminal trial attorneys in action and dealt with a broad and diverse range of legal issues. Following his service as a law clerk, Rich work as a Deputy Prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. There, he tried a number of jury trials which encompassed crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, OWI causing death, confinement, and included one capital murder case. From there, Rich went on to serve as a federal prosecutor as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana in South Bend, Indiana Division. There, he handled a number of complex criminal matters encompassing crimes such as conspiracy, counterfeiting, mail fraud, wire fraud, illegal drug manufacturing, racketeering, and murder for hire. While with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he earned a number of commendations for work as a federal prosecutor.
Rich received national recognition for his efforts. These commendations included a personal letter of commendation from the United States Attorney General Dick Thornburg and Special Award from the Post Master General for prosecuting an elaborate altered postal money order scheme which was operated within the Indiana State Prison system. This scheme was used to bilk the public out of millions of dollars and financed a number of illegal enterprises inside the Indiana Prison system. After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office in 1989, Rich spent the next 33 years doing primarily civil defense and plaintiff’s work in a wide range of areas including claims involving wrongful death, products liability, burn injuries, construction site injuries, automobile collisions, libel/slander, environmental torts, civil rights, employment related issues, real estate disputes, and insurance coverage issues. Rich was honored in 2019 as the ITLA Consumer Advocate of the Year for his trial and appellate work in Amber Hamilton v. Steak ‘N Shake. Rich was also honored in 2022 as the ITLA Hoosier Freedom Award recipient for trial and appellate work in Clark v. Mattar. Rich is listed in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Rich has written and lectured on trial advocacy matters over his years of practice and he maintains a blog addressing such topics called The Barrister’s Toolbox.
Rich received national recognition for his efforts. These commendations included a personal letter of commendation from the United States Attorney General Dick Thornburg and Special Award from the Post Master General for prosecuting an elaborate altered postal money order scheme which was operated within the Indiana State Prison system. This scheme was used to bilk the public out of millions of dollars and financed a number of illegal enterprises inside the Indiana Prison system. After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office in 1989, Rich spent the next 33 years doing primarily civil defense and plaintiff’s work in a wide range of areas including claims involving wrongful death, products liability, burn injuries, construction site injuries, automobile collisions, libel/slander, environmental torts, civil rights, employment related issues, real estate disputes, and insurance coverage issues. Rich was honored in 2019 as the ITLA Consumer Advocate of the Year for his trial and appellate work in Amber Hamilton v. Steak ‘N Shake. Rich was also honored in 2022 as the ITLA Hoosier Freedom Award recipient for trial and appellate work in Clark v. Mattar. Rich is listed in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Rich has written and lectured on trial advocacy matters over his years of practice and he maintains a blog addressing such topics called The Barrister’s Toolbox.
Nick Deets, Hovde Dassow + Deets
Nick Deets has been a partner with Hovde Dassow + Deets in Indianapolis since 2001. His primary areas of practice are personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability and wrongful death. He has tried more than 80 jury trials to verdict.
Nick was named the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2010, Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, in 2017, Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, in 2018, and Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, in 2020. He has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer by Indianapolis Magazine every year since 2006 (Top 10 in 2024) and has been listed in Best Lawyers, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice, Plaintiffs, every year since 2010. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (State Committee Member), the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates (Past President, Indiana Chapter), the Litigation Counsel of America, and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Nick was named the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2010, Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, in 2017, Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, in 2018, and Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, in 2020. He has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer by Indianapolis Magazine every year since 2006 (Top 10 in 2024) and has been listed in Best Lawyers, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice, Plaintiffs, every year since 2010. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (State Committee Member), the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates (Past President, Indiana Chapter), the Litigation Counsel of America, and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Kate Franke, Broadwing Legal
Kate Franke is the founding member of Broadwing Legal, which is a statewide personal injury practice that sometimes dips into Kentucky. After graduating from DePauw University and Valparaiso Law School, Kate started on the defense side before Lee Christie and Tim Caress showed her the light, bringing her talents to what is now known as Christie Farrell Lee & Bell.
Today, Kate concentrates on fighting for those affected by trucking crashes, car wreaks, personal injuries, and medical malpractice. When she's not in the courtroom, you might catch her speaking about legal technology or serving the legal community through her roles with ITLA's Board of Directors, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and formerly on AAJ's Board of Governors.
While her trophy case includes impressive titles like SuperLawyer, Best Lawyers in America, and Up and Coming Lawyer honors, Kate will quickly tell you that being named "Favorite Aunt" remains her most treasured achievement. It's this human touch that makes Kate not just an accomplished attorney but also the kind of advocate you want in your corner.
Today, Kate concentrates on fighting for those affected by trucking crashes, car wreaks, personal injuries, and medical malpractice. When she's not in the courtroom, you might catch her speaking about legal technology or serving the legal community through her roles with ITLA's Board of Directors, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and formerly on AAJ's Board of Governors.
While her trophy case includes impressive titles like SuperLawyer, Best Lawyers in America, and Up and Coming Lawyer honors, Kate will quickly tell you that being named "Favorite Aunt" remains her most treasured achievement. It's this human touch that makes Kate not just an accomplished attorney but also the kind of advocate you want in your corner.
Kris Fuller, Boren Oliver & Coffee, LLP
Kris is a Partner at Boren, Oliver & Coffey, LLP and an experienced litigator. He is a lifelong resident of Central Indiana who left for just long enough to attend law school at the University of Dayton, where he was a member of the Honor Counsel and recognized for his pro bono work. At Boren, Oliver & Coffey, LLP Kris has focused on eminent domain, personal injury, and criminal law.
Healther Gilbert, Langer & Langer
Attorney Heather Gilbert joined Langer & Langer as a highly skilled defense attorney with a deep commitment to helping those who have been hurt or wronged find justice. She has gained valuable experience during in nearly two decades of private practice and public service. In addition to providing her clients with skilled counsel on medical malpractice and negligence matters, her matters include wrongful death cases in Indiana and Illinois at various stages from pre-suit investigation through trial. Heather regularly engages in alternative dispute resolution, including mediations and settlement conferences, and presents arguments before the trial court and appellate court. Kindness, enthusiasm, and determination are the core values that she brings to her life and her work.
Sarah Graziano, Hensley Legal Group
Sarah Graziano was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but has called Indiana her home since graduating from Valparaiso University School of Law, with honors, in 1999. Sarah began her career focusing on litigation for a well-respected defense firm in Indianapolis, but she quickly realized that her true focus was to help people who have disputes with corporations, insurance companies, and the like. Since 2002, Sarah has focused her practice on helping individuals who have been injured at the hands of others. In addition, she has helped individuals with employment matters, including discrimination, wrongful termination, and contractual disputes.
Sarah has been extremely fortunate to have a large number of civil jury trials in her twenty three years of practice.
Sarah is an active member in good standing with the Indiana Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. She sits on the board of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA). As part of her membership with the ITLA, she has had the privilege to speak at seminars hosted by ITLA on issues involving claims for injuries.
Sarah has been extremely fortunate to have a large number of civil jury trials in her twenty three years of practice.
Sarah is an active member in good standing with the Indiana Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. She sits on the board of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA). As part of her membership with the ITLA, she has had the privilege to speak at seminars hosted by ITLA on issues involving claims for injuries.
Betsy Greene, Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers
Over her decades in practice, Betsy has earned deep trust from clients and colleagues. She meets every client personally to understand their story, loss and goals. From that first meeting, she focuses on practical solutions that reflect both the legal and human sides of each case.
Betsy believes strong advocacy begins with preparation. She studies every detail, meets with witnesses and builds clear, honest presentations that juries can follow. Her approach combines skill, persistence and respect. Clients describe her as steady during a crisis and tireless in pursuit of fairness.
Each case receives her full attention. Betsy guides her clients through complex legal and insurance issues with patience and transparency. She values communication and keeps clients informed at every stage. Her focus is not only to win cases but also to help people rebuild their lives after tragedy.
Betsy holds Civil Trial Advocacy certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a credential that recognizes tested skill and ethical standing in the courtroom. She served as past president of both the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Indiana Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Her peers have recognized her work in multiple independent listings. Super Lawyers® has selected her for inclusion in the Indiana Super Lawyers list each year since 2005. In 2019, she was listed as Indiana’s #1 Super Lawyer, and she continues to appear among the Top 10 Super Lawyers in the state. She has also been named a Distinguished Barrister by Indiana Lawyer and received national honors such as the Marie Lambert Award from the American Association for Justice Women’s Trial Lawyer Caucus and the Howard Twiggs Commitment to Justice Award from the AAJ.
Outside the courtroom, Betsy invests time in mentoring young lawyers and teaching trial advocacy at continuing education programs nationwide. She supports community projects that promote fairness, education and access to justice.
Betsy believes strong advocacy begins with preparation. She studies every detail, meets with witnesses and builds clear, honest presentations that juries can follow. Her approach combines skill, persistence and respect. Clients describe her as steady during a crisis and tireless in pursuit of fairness.
Each case receives her full attention. Betsy guides her clients through complex legal and insurance issues with patience and transparency. She values communication and keeps clients informed at every stage. Her focus is not only to win cases but also to help people rebuild their lives after tragedy.
Betsy holds Civil Trial Advocacy certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a credential that recognizes tested skill and ethical standing in the courtroom. She served as past president of both the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Indiana Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Her peers have recognized her work in multiple independent listings. Super Lawyers® has selected her for inclusion in the Indiana Super Lawyers list each year since 2005. In 2019, she was listed as Indiana’s #1 Super Lawyer, and she continues to appear among the Top 10 Super Lawyers in the state. She has also been named a Distinguished Barrister by Indiana Lawyer and received national honors such as the Marie Lambert Award from the American Association for Justice Women’s Trial Lawyer Caucus and the Howard Twiggs Commitment to Justice Award from the AAJ.
Outside the courtroom, Betsy invests time in mentoring young lawyers and teaching trial advocacy at continuing education programs nationwide. She supports community projects that promote fairness, education and access to justice.
Mark Guenin, Guenin Law Office, P.C.
Mark Guenin has practiced law for over 40 years. Mark and his daughter, Emily, have tried multiple jury trials from Indiana to Idaho. Their practice focuses on personal injury cases involving motor vehicle crashes and products liability; however, Mark also litigates cases involving commercial business transactions, real estate disputes and estates.
Mark is a graduate of Wabash College and Indiana University - Michael Maurer School of Law. Mark has presented at multiple Seminars, Institutes, and Inns of Court. He is an active Board Members of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, where he also serves on the Board of Governors. He has been married for almost 50 years to his wife Diane. In addition to their 3 adult daughters and 6 grandchildren, they have puppies, Lulu and Roscoe.
Mark is a graduate of Wabash College and Indiana University - Michael Maurer School of Law. Mark has presented at multiple Seminars, Institutes, and Inns of Court. He is an active Board Members of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, where he also serves on the Board of Governors. He has been married for almost 50 years to his wife Diane. In addition to their 3 adult daughters and 6 grandchildren, they have puppies, Lulu and Roscoe.
Ashley Hadler Winingham, Garau Germano, P.C.
Ashley Hadler focuses her law practice representing survivors and families affected by sexual abuse, nursing home abuse and medical malpractice. She handles cases throughout Indiana and Illinois. Ashley began her law practice in Chicago representing survivors of nursing home and hospital abuse against some of the largest hospitals and nursing home chains in the Midwest.
She returned to Indiana in 2017 to continue helping people who were injured by abuse, neglect, and malpractice. Ashley is trained and experienced handling cases for clients who have suffered trauma, have complex medical issues, or are elderly. She understands issues faced by children and adults who are injured where they live, are educated, are coached, or receive medical treatment.
Ashley often speaks to groups of attorneys, victim advocates, and survivors of abuse to discuss the legal options available to survivors and their families. She knows how to find people and businesses that may be held accountable for abuse and how to find sources of compensation available to survivors.
She works to safeguard our clients’ right to a jury trial by leveraging arbitration clauses in contracts and advocating against immunity legislation.
Ashley is a past vice-chair of the Young Lawyer’s Council of the National Crime Victim’s Bar Association. She is an active board member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice Sexual Assault and Nursing Home Litigation Groups. She is a volunteer guardian for the Indianapolis Center for At Risk Elders (CARE) and an active member of the Prevent Child Abuse Indiana Advisory Board. She lives in Carmel with her husband, Kent, their sons, and Poppy the French bulldog.
She returned to Indiana in 2017 to continue helping people who were injured by abuse, neglect, and malpractice. Ashley is trained and experienced handling cases for clients who have suffered trauma, have complex medical issues, or are elderly. She understands issues faced by children and adults who are injured where they live, are educated, are coached, or receive medical treatment.
Ashley often speaks to groups of attorneys, victim advocates, and survivors of abuse to discuss the legal options available to survivors and their families. She knows how to find people and businesses that may be held accountable for abuse and how to find sources of compensation available to survivors.
She works to safeguard our clients’ right to a jury trial by leveraging arbitration clauses in contracts and advocating against immunity legislation.
Ashley is a past vice-chair of the Young Lawyer’s Council of the National Crime Victim’s Bar Association. She is an active board member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice Sexual Assault and Nursing Home Litigation Groups. She is a volunteer guardian for the Indianapolis Center for At Risk Elders (CARE) and an active member of the Prevent Child Abuse Indiana Advisory Board. She lives in Carmel with her husband, Kent, their sons, and Poppy the French bulldog.
Susannah Hall-Justice, Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC
Susannah Hall-Justice, owner of Hall-Justice Law Firm, has been practicing personal injury law since 1997 primarily in Tippecanoe county and the surrounding counties, including Cass county. She is on the Executive Board of the Board of Governors of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and has spoken at previous ITLA seminars about subrogation and focus groups. Currently she is President of the Tippecanoe County Bar Association and is past president of the Carroll County Bar Association. She is a graduate of IU Maurer School of Law and Harvard.
Jay Hoffman, Hoffman & Newcomb
I have tried dozens of jury trials to verdict in three different states - car wrecks to medical negligence to Tractor-Trailer/Trucking to Murder. I represent people throughout Indiana and the U.S., and have handled cases in seven (7) different states. I also hold the dubious distinction of having tried to verdict every level of misdemeanor and felony in Indiana, including Murder and other various forms of death, destruction and degradation of the human spirit.
My bowling trophies include:
My bowling trophies include:
- Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury 2003-present
- Indiana Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense 2005-present
- The Melvin Belli Society, 2008-present
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Indiana Chapter 2003-present (President 2009)
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, College of Fellows
- 1977 Wooden Shoe Festival Pie Eating Contest, Runner-Up
Elizabeth Homes, Law Office of Elizabeth A. Homes LLC
Elizabeth A. Homes has practiced law in central Indiana since May of 2014. While she serves the whole state of Indiana, her office is located in Indianapolis. Her practice at the Law Office of Elizabeth A. Homes LLC is focused on Estate Planning and Elder Law. This includes Estate Planning, Power of Attorney Documents, Special Needs Estate Planning, Special Needs Settlement Planning, Guardianships, Medicaid Planning, Probate, Estate Administration and Trust Administration. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana.
Elizabeth is an active member of the Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis. State-Wide, Elizabeth is actively involved with the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA) participating in the Probate, Trust and Real Property Section and the Elder Law section. Elizabeth is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP) and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). In the last couple of years, Elizabeth joined the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association not to litigate but to assist trial attorneys with establishing Special Needs Trusts should that need arise during settlement negotiations.
Elizabeth was born and raised in Carmel, Indiana. She obtained her B.A. degree from the University of Indianapolis. She went on to also obtain her MBA with a concentration in Finance in a dual program while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Indianapolis. She obtained her J.D. degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. When Elizabeth is not practicing law, she enjoys practicing hot yoga. She finds that taking time for her own self-care on and off a yoga mat helps her to be able to serve others even better! She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She joins her parents and brother, Matthew, at Butler Men's Basketball games regularly. She enjoys trying new restaurants and enjoying quality time with those around her. She also can be found reading a good book or watching a movie.
Elizabeth is an active member of the Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis. State-Wide, Elizabeth is actively involved with the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA) participating in the Probate, Trust and Real Property Section and the Elder Law section. Elizabeth is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP) and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). In the last couple of years, Elizabeth joined the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association not to litigate but to assist trial attorneys with establishing Special Needs Trusts should that need arise during settlement negotiations.
Elizabeth was born and raised in Carmel, Indiana. She obtained her B.A. degree from the University of Indianapolis. She went on to also obtain her MBA with a concentration in Finance in a dual program while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Indianapolis. She obtained her J.D. degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. When Elizabeth is not practicing law, she enjoys practicing hot yoga. She finds that taking time for her own self-care on and off a yoga mat helps her to be able to serve others even better! She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She joins her parents and brother, Matthew, at Butler Men's Basketball games regularly. She enjoys trying new restaurants and enjoying quality time with those around her. She also can be found reading a good book or watching a movie.
Angela Jones, Pillar Jones, LLC
Angela M. Jones is an aggressive personal injury litigator who serves as a voice for those who have been wounded in Indiana. With her extensive litigation experience, she fearlessly confronts insurance companies and zealously advocates for her clients in trial. She remains resolute in her commitment to prevent the insurance company from exploiting her clients or coercing them into accepting inadequate settlements.
Ms. Jones earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. She holds a B.S. in business management and a B.S. in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida. Additionally, she completed the Honors Psychology Program at the University of Colorado.
Ms. Jones is licensed to practice in Indiana, Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, the U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
Ms. Jones earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. She holds a B.S. in business management and a B.S. in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida. Additionally, she completed the Honors Psychology Program at the University of Colorado.
Ms. Jones is licensed to practice in Indiana, Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, the U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
Katie Karres, Hurst Limontes LLC
Katie has lived in Indianapolis most of her life after moving here from Ohio at a very young age. She attended the University of Indianapolis majoring in Human Resource Management and Spanish, graduating in the top of five of her class in 2004. After completing her undergraduate degree, Katie went directly to law school and graduated from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis in 2007. She began her legal career in litigation of medical negligence claims. She has exclusively represented injured persons since 2011. Katie prides herself in helping those in need, being well-prepared, and having compassion in her practice.
Harvey Lancaster, Lancaster Gill, P.C.
Harvey Lancaster was born and raised in Indianapolis. At a young age, he witnessed injustices and noticed the average person did not know his rights or how to exercise them. These events led him to pursue a career in the law.
Harvey is a graduate of Perry Meridian High School. From there, he went on to attend IU Bloomington as a member of the GROUPS program. Being a member of this program changed the trajectory of his life. After college, Harvey worked in retail management and in the service industry before returning to school to pursue his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Following law school, Harvey worked for prominent personal injury law firms for years, representing clients in personal injury and medical malpractice claims. However, he felt he wanted to do more to help those who have been victims of injustice or who simply don't have the knowledge or understanding of their rights in the justice system.
Now, Harvey enjoys representing clients and helping them exercise their rights under the law. When he's not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and staying active.
Harvey is a graduate of Perry Meridian High School. From there, he went on to attend IU Bloomington as a member of the GROUPS program. Being a member of this program changed the trajectory of his life. After college, Harvey worked in retail management and in the service industry before returning to school to pursue his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Following law school, Harvey worked for prominent personal injury law firms for years, representing clients in personal injury and medical malpractice claims. However, he felt he wanted to do more to help those who have been victims of injustice or who simply don't have the knowledge or understanding of their rights in the justice system.
Now, Harvey enjoys representing clients and helping them exercise their rights under the law. When he's not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and staying active.
Rob Langer, Langer & Langer
Alex Limontes, Hurst Limontes LLC
Alex is a first-generation bilingual attorney of Cuban decent. Alex is originally from Florida and came up to Indiana in 1999 to play football at Hanover College. Alex went to law school in 2004 and was a law clerk at Mitchell, Hurst, Jacobs and Dick (predecessor of Hurst Limontes LLC) during most of his law school career. He graduated from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis in 2007 and began his career as a trial attorney with the Marion County Public Defender Agency. Alex returned to work with Bill Hurst in 2011 and currently focuses his practice on plaintiff’s personal injury work. Since 2019, Alex has managed the Practice now known as Hurst Limontes LLC. Alex is licensed to practice Law in Indiana and Florida. Alex is also a Certified Civil Mediator.
Tom Manges, Manges Law Firm
Tom Manges was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He graduated from South Side High School, Hanover College (1989), and Indiana University (Robert H. McKinney) School of Law (1992). He joined Roby & Hood Law Firm, and in 2005, became a named partner in Roby Hood & Manges. This firm, now known as "Manges Law Firm", only represents people injured or killed through the fault of others. This includes people harmed by vehicles, falls, defective products, in hospitals, in nursing homes, by doctors, by animals, and at construction sites, among others.
Katie Marshall, Christie Bell & Marshall
Katie Marshall is a Partner at the firm of Christie Bell & Marshall. Raised in McCordsville, she is a passionate and driven attorney who has dedicated her practice to getting justice for her clients who have been harmed by negligence. She has significant experience as a litigator and has tried numerous civil jury trials. In 2019 the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association awarded Katie the Max Goodwin Young Lawyer of the Year, which is given to one Indiana lawyer each year for distinguished service to the citizens of Indiana and the United States and dedication to protecting the rights of the injured. Katie enjoys working closely with her clients and getting to know them on a personal level. In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and son, gardening, baking, practicing yoga, and, more recently, practicing Taekwondo.
Ned Mulligan, CohenMalad, LLP | Trial Lawyers
Ned is an experienced trial lawyer who co-leads CohenMalad, LLP’s Mass Tort/Products Liability team. His team has developed a national reputation for representing clients in complex litigation who have been severely injured by dangerous prescription drugs and defective medical devices.
Ned also has experience representing the victims of medical malpractice and those who have suffered catastrophic injuries or death as a result of automobile and tractor-trailer accidents, day-care and nursing home negligence, and aviation disasters.
Recently, Ned obtained an $11 million jury verdict after a two-week trial for a client who lost his leg as a result of medical malpractice.
Ned has served on multiple trial teams and secured numerous favorable decisions from state and federal trial courts across the country.
Ned also has experience representing the victims of medical malpractice and those who have suffered catastrophic injuries or death as a result of automobile and tractor-trailer accidents, day-care and nursing home negligence, and aviation disasters.
Recently, Ned obtained an $11 million jury verdict after a two-week trial for a client who lost his leg as a result of medical malpractice.
Ned has served on multiple trial teams and secured numerous favorable decisions from state and federal trial courts across the country.
Jon Noyes, Wilson Kehoe Winingham
Jon Noyes earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Indiana University—Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2013. Prior to moving to Indianapolis, Jon graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois with a degree in political science.
Jon cares deeply about his clients and seeking justice for them. He has represented clients with all manners of legal problems, from construction deaths, to truck crashes, poorly designed products, improperly constructed homes, and falling trees. Jon has found success at all levels, including at trial and before the Indiana Supreme Court.
In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife, Jen, his son, Alexander, and his two cats, Sergeant Charlie Shoulders and the Honorable L. Annabelle Swanson. He also enjoys cards, board games, hiking, and all types of pizza. Jon is an active member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association.
Jon cares deeply about his clients and seeking justice for them. He has represented clients with all manners of legal problems, from construction deaths, to truck crashes, poorly designed products, improperly constructed homes, and falling trees. Jon has found success at all levels, including at trial and before the Indiana Supreme Court.
In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife, Jen, his son, Alexander, and his two cats, Sergeant Charlie Shoulders and the Honorable L. Annabelle Swanson. He also enjoys cards, board games, hiking, and all types of pizza. Jon is an active member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association.
Katrina Ornelas, Doehrman Buba Ring
Katrina Ornelas is an associate attorney at Doehrman Buba Ring in Carmel–Indianapolis. Since joining the firm in 2023, she has focused her practice on car accident litigation and commercial motor vehicle crash cases. Known for her compassionate advocacy and meticulous preparation, Katrina helps injured clients across Central Indiana pursue justice and fair compensation
George Patrick, George C. Patrick & Associates, P.C.
George grew up in the country close to Lafayette, Indiana, where he was 10-year 4-H member. He graduated from Northwestern University and received his J.D. degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, where he was the Student Bar Association President and served in other roles in law school.
With years of mentoring from James Schreiner, George decided to open his own worker's compensation office in 1999, applying all that he learned from James Schreiner and Sam Furlin. Determined to make a difference in the Indiana Worker's Compensation system, he pushed for change in the Indiana General Assembly and with different worker's compensation cases before the Worker's Compensation Board, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court of Indiana.
In 1999, George was selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Workplace Injury Litigation Group for his advocacy on behalf of injured employees. Martindale-Hubbell ranked George as A-V. Since 2007, he was named a Super Lawyer in the state of Indiana for his representation of injured employees. George became a fellow of The College of Worker's Compensation Lawyers in 2015. This organization honors worker's compensation plaintiff’s attorneys, defense attorneys, professors, and judges nationwide.
George is also a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Lake County Bar Association, Calumet Inn of Court, Lifetime Contributor to the Valparaiso University School of Law Review, Lifetime Member of the Indiana Horse Council, and Lifetime Member of the American Quarter Horse Association.
When not working, he has been active with his sons in all that they do, both scholastically and in their sports, enjoys traveling with his school teacher wife, and meeting new people.
With years of mentoring from James Schreiner, George decided to open his own worker's compensation office in 1999, applying all that he learned from James Schreiner and Sam Furlin. Determined to make a difference in the Indiana Worker's Compensation system, he pushed for change in the Indiana General Assembly and with different worker's compensation cases before the Worker's Compensation Board, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court of Indiana.
In 1999, George was selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Workplace Injury Litigation Group for his advocacy on behalf of injured employees. Martindale-Hubbell ranked George as A-V. Since 2007, he was named a Super Lawyer in the state of Indiana for his representation of injured employees. George became a fellow of The College of Worker's Compensation Lawyers in 2015. This organization honors worker's compensation plaintiff’s attorneys, defense attorneys, professors, and judges nationwide.
George is also a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Lake County Bar Association, Calumet Inn of Court, Lifetime Contributor to the Valparaiso University School of Law Review, Lifetime Member of the Indiana Horse Council, and Lifetime Member of the American Quarter Horse Association.
When not working, he has been active with his sons in all that they do, both scholastically and in their sports, enjoys traveling with his school teacher wife, and meeting new people.
Tony Patterson, Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse
Tony Patterson is a partner in the Indianapolis/Lebanon firm of Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse. Mr. Patterson has extensive experience representing personal injury victims and wrongful death survivors throughout Indiana and the Midwest. Mr. Patterson’s personal injury practice includes diverse concentrations in areas such as automobile and trucking accidents, medical malpractice, mass torts and all other areas of the firm’s injury practice. Mr. Patterson has obtained numerous million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients, including working to obtain compensation on behalf of the victims of the Indiana State Fair Sugarland Stage Collapse, litigation in which he has served as Plaintiff’s liaison counsel.
Mr. Patterson is listed as an Indiana Super Lawyer in the area of personal injury law and has been named a Top 50 Indiana Lawyer for the past ten consecutive years.
Mr. Patterson has received an “AV” Rating by Martindale Hubbell and was named the 2007 Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Patterson is also listed in Best Lawyers in America in personal injury law and is designated by Best Lawyers as 2020 Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for the Indianapolis Metro area.
Mr. Patterson is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers where he serves as a state committee chair. He is past president of the Indiana Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He serves on the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee. He is a sustaining member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and serves on its Board of Directors. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Boone County Bar Association, for which he served as President in 2000.
Mr. Patterson is listed as an Indiana Super Lawyer in the area of personal injury law and has been named a Top 50 Indiana Lawyer for the past ten consecutive years.
Mr. Patterson has received an “AV” Rating by Martindale Hubbell and was named the 2007 Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Patterson is also listed in Best Lawyers in America in personal injury law and is designated by Best Lawyers as 2020 Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for the Indianapolis Metro area.
Mr. Patterson is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers where he serves as a state committee chair. He is past president of the Indiana Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He serves on the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee. He is a sustaining member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and serves on its Board of Directors. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Boone County Bar Association, for which he served as President in 2000.
Mike Phelps, Hankey Marks & Crider
Mike Phelps is a personal injury and wrongful death litigation attorney at the Hankey Marks & Crider, representing clients with catastrophic injuries & the families of victims of wrongful death negligence in the general personal injury, interstate trucking, defective products, and medical malpractice fields. Mike has tried well over 100 jury trials as lead counsel and co-counsel in State and Federal Courts across Indiana. Some of Mike’s notable verdicts include a wrongful death verdict of $157,000,000; auto negligence verdicts of $26,000,000, $5,600,000, $3,000,000 and $1,250,000; a products liability verdict of $8,000,000; and recent slip-and-fall verdicts of $4,000,000 and $800,000, among others. Of particular note, he was lead counsel at trial and argued the seminal cases of Stanley v. Walker, Humphrey v. U.S. Xpress Trucking and Reese v. Tyson Fresh Meats before the Indiana Supreme Court. Mike has also handled dozens of other reported appellate cases.
Mike graduated from law school in 1998 and earned his J.D., with honors, in only 2 ½ years from The Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. Mike is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, with degrees in Sociology and Political Science.
Prior to joining the Hankey Marks & Crider in 2022, Mike’s legal career spanned 24 years in the personal injury/wrongful death arena. He began his legal career in 1998 defending various types of negligence and product liability cases until he switched sides in 2005. A heart wrenching story about Mike “switching sides” was published in The Indiana Lawyer in 2011. He was also featured in a 2009 Forbes article called “Legal Movers and Shakers,” following a successful trial in Lafayette involving a tragic, avoidable incident where a man was killed by a needlessly defective product. Mike has appeared on numerous local news stations and even on Good Morning America regarding his cases.
Mike has presented dozens of topics at many legal seminars, ranging from voir dire, closing arguments, calculating damages and the trial process. For the past 9 years, he has presented the torts section at the Annual Indiana Law Survey, presented by the Indiana Supreme Court and Indiana Courts of Appeals.
Mike is active in the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association as a Sustaining Member and is on the Board of Directors, ITLA College of Fellows, the American Association for Justice, The Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mike has been voted an Indianapolis Monthly Super Lawyer every year since 2012.
Mike was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana and was a three-sport athlete growing up. Mike and his wife Tina, of 27 years, are avid dog lovers and are active in the ASPCA, and they love to travel. Mike is also a professional poker player, playing in various tournaments in Las Vegas annually and occasionally the World Series of Poker, calendar permitting.
Some of Mike’s legal affiliations are:
Indiana State Bar Association 1998-Present
Indiana Trial Lawyers Association 2005-Present (Sustaining Member, College of Fellows, and a member of the Board of Directors)
American Trial Lawyers Association (now AAJ) 2005-Present
Order of the Curia Legal Honorary Fraternity 1997-Present
Regularly speaks as faculty at ITLA and ICLEF CLE Seminars regarding trial practice
Million Dollar & Multi-Million Dollar Advocacy Forums
Indianapolis Monthly Super Lawyer 2013-present
Named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Nationwide by The National Trial Lawyers
7-Figure Litigators
8-Figure Litigators
Mike graduated from law school in 1998 and earned his J.D., with honors, in only 2 ½ years from The Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. Mike is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, with degrees in Sociology and Political Science.
Prior to joining the Hankey Marks & Crider in 2022, Mike’s legal career spanned 24 years in the personal injury/wrongful death arena. He began his legal career in 1998 defending various types of negligence and product liability cases until he switched sides in 2005. A heart wrenching story about Mike “switching sides” was published in The Indiana Lawyer in 2011. He was also featured in a 2009 Forbes article called “Legal Movers and Shakers,” following a successful trial in Lafayette involving a tragic, avoidable incident where a man was killed by a needlessly defective product. Mike has appeared on numerous local news stations and even on Good Morning America regarding his cases.
Mike has presented dozens of topics at many legal seminars, ranging from voir dire, closing arguments, calculating damages and the trial process. For the past 9 years, he has presented the torts section at the Annual Indiana Law Survey, presented by the Indiana Supreme Court and Indiana Courts of Appeals.
Mike is active in the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association as a Sustaining Member and is on the Board of Directors, ITLA College of Fellows, the American Association for Justice, The Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mike has been voted an Indianapolis Monthly Super Lawyer every year since 2012.
Mike was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana and was a three-sport athlete growing up. Mike and his wife Tina, of 27 years, are avid dog lovers and are active in the ASPCA, and they love to travel. Mike is also a professional poker player, playing in various tournaments in Las Vegas annually and occasionally the World Series of Poker, calendar permitting.
Some of Mike’s legal affiliations are:
Indiana State Bar Association 1998-Present
Indiana Trial Lawyers Association 2005-Present (Sustaining Member, College of Fellows, and a member of the Board of Directors)
American Trial Lawyers Association (now AAJ) 2005-Present
Order of the Curia Legal Honorary Fraternity 1997-Present
Regularly speaks as faculty at ITLA and ICLEF CLE Seminars regarding trial practice
Million Dollar & Multi-Million Dollar Advocacy Forums
Indianapolis Monthly Super Lawyer 2013-present
Named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Nationwide by The National Trial Lawyers
7-Figure Litigators
8-Figure Litigators
Katie Piscione, Waldron Tate Land LLC
Katie Piscione serves as an associate attorney at Waldron Tate Bowen Land LLC, specializing in a diverse range of legal areas such as personal injury, medical malpractice, constitutional violations, real estate, business, and construction. She handles cases in both state and federal courts, demonstrating her proficiency by successfully litigating cases through jury verdicts in both venues.
Among her most notable successes, Katie served as counsel, along with Ann Marie Waldron and Brandon Tate, in a case involving a client who suffered catastrophic injuries from an accident caused by a drunk driver that left their client a quadriplegic. They were able to secure a jury verdict of $159 Million, which stands as the largest reported Jury Verdict in Indiana history. In addition, she has handled numerous other claims in which she recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for her clients.
Educationally, Katie graduated with honors, magna cum laude, earning a B.A. from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. Subsequently, she obtained her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Throughout her time at Saint Mary’s, Katie actively participated as a member of the Student Advisory Committee for the Belles Against Violence Office, where she advocated for survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in organizing and hosting Take Back the Night, a collaborative effort involving Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, and Holy Cross.
During her time at Loyola, Katie was recognized for her outstanding performance by receiving the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Writing I and Legal Writing II, which is bestowed upon the highest-scoring student. In her second year, she contributed as a member of the 2020 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot court team, making it to the round of 16 out of over 400 participating teams. The team’s submission to the competition received an honorable mention for best brief. Following her involvement, Katie continued to serve as a mentor for the team. In her third year, she assumed the position of Executive Editor of Illinois Articles for the Loyola Law Review. Outside of her academic pursuits, Katie gained valuable experience working as an extern for the Honorable Pamela Meyerson and as a law clerk at a local Personal Injury and Worker’s Compensation firm in Chicago.
In 2025, Katie was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an organization that has worked to advance the civil jury trial and elevate the standards of integrity, civility, and professionalism in the legal profession. The organization has more than 7,600 members including plaintiff personal injury lawyers, civil defense lawyers and judges spread among 95 Chapters in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. ABOTA is an invitation-only organization requiring members to demonstrate significant litigation experience including at least 10 civil jury trials.
Katie maintains active memberships in several legal associations, including the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Within the Indiana State Bar Association, she actively contributes her expertise as a committee member for the Solo Small Firm Conference, a member of the Young Lawyer Section Council, and is currently the Vice-Chair and will soon assume the role of Chair for the GP Solo and Small Firm Section.
With licenses to practice law in both Indiana and Illinois, Katie provides comprehensive legal support to clients within these jurisdictions.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Katie enjoys attending sporting events, exploring diverse culinary experiences, and exploring new destinations through her passion for travel.
Among her most notable successes, Katie served as counsel, along with Ann Marie Waldron and Brandon Tate, in a case involving a client who suffered catastrophic injuries from an accident caused by a drunk driver that left their client a quadriplegic. They were able to secure a jury verdict of $159 Million, which stands as the largest reported Jury Verdict in Indiana history. In addition, she has handled numerous other claims in which she recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for her clients.
Educationally, Katie graduated with honors, magna cum laude, earning a B.A. from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. Subsequently, she obtained her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Throughout her time at Saint Mary’s, Katie actively participated as a member of the Student Advisory Committee for the Belles Against Violence Office, where she advocated for survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in organizing and hosting Take Back the Night, a collaborative effort involving Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, and Holy Cross.
During her time at Loyola, Katie was recognized for her outstanding performance by receiving the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Writing I and Legal Writing II, which is bestowed upon the highest-scoring student. In her second year, she contributed as a member of the 2020 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot court team, making it to the round of 16 out of over 400 participating teams. The team’s submission to the competition received an honorable mention for best brief. Following her involvement, Katie continued to serve as a mentor for the team. In her third year, she assumed the position of Executive Editor of Illinois Articles for the Loyola Law Review. Outside of her academic pursuits, Katie gained valuable experience working as an extern for the Honorable Pamela Meyerson and as a law clerk at a local Personal Injury and Worker’s Compensation firm in Chicago.
In 2025, Katie was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an organization that has worked to advance the civil jury trial and elevate the standards of integrity, civility, and professionalism in the legal profession. The organization has more than 7,600 members including plaintiff personal injury lawyers, civil defense lawyers and judges spread among 95 Chapters in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. ABOTA is an invitation-only organization requiring members to demonstrate significant litigation experience including at least 10 civil jury trials.
Katie maintains active memberships in several legal associations, including the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Within the Indiana State Bar Association, she actively contributes her expertise as a committee member for the Solo Small Firm Conference, a member of the Young Lawyer Section Council, and is currently the Vice-Chair and will soon assume the role of Chair for the GP Solo and Small Firm Section.
With licenses to practice law in both Indiana and Illinois, Katie provides comprehensive legal support to clients within these jurisdictions.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Katie enjoys attending sporting events, exploring diverse culinary experiences, and exploring new destinations through her passion for travel.
Brady Rife, Stephenson Rife LLP
Brady Rife is a founding partner of Stephenson Rife, LLP, a firm based in Shelbyville, IN that focuses on complex and catastrophic personal injuries. He has been an integral part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to prepare cases that are trial-ready to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients in need. He graduated magna cum laude from Wabash in 2000 for his undergraduate studies. He graduated from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis in 2004. He has been an active member in multiple professional associations, including the Indiana State Bar Association, the Shelby County Bar Association, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), and the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA). He has been a member of Indiana Super Lawyers since 2012. He believes in serving and giving back to his community and is a Board Member of both the Shelby County United Fund for You (SCUFFY) and Rush Shelby Energy Round Up Program. He participates in Pro Bono activities with the Indiana State Bar Association Disaster Relief Program and the Shelby County Pro Bono Council. He can be contacted at [email protected] and 317-680-2404.
Tim Rowe, Rowe & Hamilton
Timothy A. Rowe was born in Mansfield, Ohio. At a young age, he spent two years in Africa with his father, who was a missionary. He graduated number one in his class at College of Emporia with a degree in Biblical Studies. Mr. Rowe also attended the University of California - Berkeley and Indiana University, where he graduated with a B.A. with distinction in History and Classics from Indiana University and graduated cum laude from Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis in 1984.
In addition to being a co-founding partner of the law firm Rowe & Hamilton in Indianapolis for 35 years, Mr. Rowe is the principal attorney at Rowe Law Offices, PLLC with offices in Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida. His practice is currently concentrated in personal injury, auto crashes, truck crashes, premises liability and some civil rights cases.
Mr. Rowe, a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association for over 26 years, has chaired and taught at numerous seminars locally and nationally, including Miami, San Francisco, Montreal, Nashville, Delaware, Chicago, Boston and Orlando concerning auto accident, litigation, and personal injury cases. He is a President's Club Member of the American Association for Justice and on the Board of Governors as well as a member of the Florida, American, Indiana, and Indianapolis Bar Associations and National Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Rowe is also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Collier County Bar Association, National Crime Victims Bar Association and the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. He is past Chair of the Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway, and Premises Liability Section for the American Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the College of Fellows. Mr. Rowe has tried over 50 jury trial cases across the country including Indiana, Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, New Mexico and Tennessee.
Mr. Rowe has written articles for the Indiana Lawyer, Trial Magazine and the Verdict, an Indiana Trial Lawyer's publication. He also hosted a weekly radio program "You and the Law" on WKLU, WXNT 1430 in Indianapolis and on Thunder 103.9 FM in Crawfordsville for over five years where he would answer legal questions to help the people of the community. He also hosted a television show "Faith and the Law" that discussed legal issues of concern for Christians on Lesea Broadcasting. He is an author of two books "The Magnificent Goodness of God and How it Will Transform your life" and "The Heart: They Key to Everything in a Christian Life."
Mr. Rowe is married to his wife, Jexy and has two children, Isaiah and Elizabeth. He is very active in the community, is passionate about bringing justice to people's lives and helping to make the legal system be better and more productive.
In addition to being a co-founding partner of the law firm Rowe & Hamilton in Indianapolis for 35 years, Mr. Rowe is the principal attorney at Rowe Law Offices, PLLC with offices in Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida. His practice is currently concentrated in personal injury, auto crashes, truck crashes, premises liability and some civil rights cases.
Mr. Rowe, a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association for over 26 years, has chaired and taught at numerous seminars locally and nationally, including Miami, San Francisco, Montreal, Nashville, Delaware, Chicago, Boston and Orlando concerning auto accident, litigation, and personal injury cases. He is a President's Club Member of the American Association for Justice and on the Board of Governors as well as a member of the Florida, American, Indiana, and Indianapolis Bar Associations and National Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Rowe is also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Collier County Bar Association, National Crime Victims Bar Association and the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. He is past Chair of the Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway, and Premises Liability Section for the American Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the College of Fellows. Mr. Rowe has tried over 50 jury trial cases across the country including Indiana, Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, New Mexico and Tennessee.
Mr. Rowe has written articles for the Indiana Lawyer, Trial Magazine and the Verdict, an Indiana Trial Lawyer's publication. He also hosted a weekly radio program "You and the Law" on WKLU, WXNT 1430 in Indianapolis and on Thunder 103.9 FM in Crawfordsville for over five years where he would answer legal questions to help the people of the community. He also hosted a television show "Faith and the Law" that discussed legal issues of concern for Christians on Lesea Broadcasting. He is an author of two books "The Magnificent Goodness of God and How it Will Transform your life" and "The Heart: They Key to Everything in a Christian Life."
Mr. Rowe is married to his wife, Jexy and has two children, Isaiah and Elizabeth. He is very active in the community, is passionate about bringing justice to people's lives and helping to make the legal system be better and more productive.
David Scott, Dave Scott Law Firm
Dave Scott is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Indiana and Kentucky. He has been involved in products liability cases in other state and federal courts throughout the Midwest. He is a past president of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), a former member of the American Association of Justice (AAJ). He also is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineer (SAE). He has been honored with the Award of Merit by AAJ, the Lifetime Achievement Award by ITLA. He was formerly listed: Best Lawyers in America, Products Liability, Indiana; Indiana Super Lawyers, Products Liability; and Louisville Magazine, Top Lawyers, Personal Injury & Products Liability, U.S. News, Top Law Firm, KY, Products liability. Martindale-Hubbell, AV rated for over 25 years.
Autumn Seib, Wagner Reese, LLP
Autumn Seib is a medical malpractice attorney at Wagner Reese, LLP. She devotes her entire practice to representing patients and their families in medical malpractice cases. Autumn grew up in Lapeer, Michigan, and graduated valedictorian of her high school. She attended college at Central Michigan University where she studied political science, psychology, and philosophy. Autumn received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with perfect GPAs in just four years. After graduation, Autumn received a scholarship to attend Indiana University Maurer School of Law where she obtained her juris doctorate.
After law school, Autumn began her legal career as a defense attorney, representing healthcare providers as opposed to patients in medical malpractice cases. Having previously worked as a defense attorney, Autumn has unique insight into the strategies and arguments often used by her opponents, including how to overcome them. In 2023, Autumn was selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 40 under 40 for Civil Plaintiff litigation. In 2024, she was named a Rising Star by Indiana Super Lawyers and included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Outside of work, Autumn lives in Westfield, Indiana where she frequently runs the many trails throughout the Indianapolis area. She also enjoys participating in outdoor activities, watching sports, cooking new recipes, and spending time with family, friends, and her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chester.
After law school, Autumn began her legal career as a defense attorney, representing healthcare providers as opposed to patients in medical malpractice cases. Having previously worked as a defense attorney, Autumn has unique insight into the strategies and arguments often used by her opponents, including how to overcome them. In 2023, Autumn was selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 40 under 40 for Civil Plaintiff litigation. In 2024, she was named a Rising Star by Indiana Super Lawyers and included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Outside of work, Autumn lives in Westfield, Indiana where she frequently runs the many trails throughout the Indianapolis area. She also enjoys participating in outdoor activities, watching sports, cooking new recipes, and spending time with family, friends, and her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chester.
Bradford Smith, Ken Nunn Law Firm
Originally from Midland, Michigan, Brad spent nearly two decades living in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Towson State University in 1990 and The University of Baltimore School of Law in 1994. He has been admitted to practice law in Indiana, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Alabama. After working in Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Birmingham, Alabama, for the first six years of his legal career, Brad joined Ken Nunn Law Office in 2001.
Brad is a senior trial lawyer for Ken Nunn Law Office. Ken Nunn Law Office handles a broad range of cases including general personal injury, trucking, wrongful death, and products liability.
In 2007, Brad became a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, an American Bar Association accredited organization providing Board Certification. From 2010 through 2026, Brad has received the distinction of being named a Super Lawyer by his legal peers in Indiana.
Brad is Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has been selected to the Top Attorneys in Indiana organization since 2011 and has been named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers organization. Brad is a proud member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and Indiana Bar Association. With more than 30 years of experience in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases, Brad is committed to helping others.
Brad is a senior trial lawyer for Ken Nunn Law Office. Ken Nunn Law Office handles a broad range of cases including general personal injury, trucking, wrongful death, and products liability.
In 2007, Brad became a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, an American Bar Association accredited organization providing Board Certification. From 2010 through 2026, Brad has received the distinction of being named a Super Lawyer by his legal peers in Indiana.
Brad is Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has been selected to the Top Attorneys in Indiana organization since 2011 and has been named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers organization. Brad is a proud member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and Indiana Bar Association. With more than 30 years of experience in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases, Brad is committed to helping others.
Jesse Smith, Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse, LLP
Jesse Smith began as a law clerk in 2021 before joining the firm as an Associate in 2022,
concentrating his practice on all areas of civil litigation including personal injury and wrongful death. Mr. Smith graduated summa cum laude from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in May 2022. During law school, Mr. Smith served as a Note
Development Editor for the 55th Volume of the Indiana Law Review. Mr. Smith also served as the President of the American Constitution Society and externed for the Honorable Tim A. Baker of the Southern District of Indiana. Mr. Smith was named Most Outstanding Clinical Law Student for 2020-2021 for his participation in the Child Advocacy Law Clinic. Mr. Smith continues to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian Ad Litem for children in central Indiana. Mr. Smith is currently serving on the executive board of the Boone County Bar Association.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Smith graduated from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs with high distinction. Mr. Smith spent several years after his undergraduate studies working in the
insurance industry as a claims specialist and as a claims adjudicator for Social Security Disability claims for the State of Indiana.
Mr. Smith is admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana and the Federal District Court for both the Northern District of Indiana and the Southern District of Indiana.
concentrating his practice on all areas of civil litigation including personal injury and wrongful death. Mr. Smith graduated summa cum laude from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in May 2022. During law school, Mr. Smith served as a Note
Development Editor for the 55th Volume of the Indiana Law Review. Mr. Smith also served as the President of the American Constitution Society and externed for the Honorable Tim A. Baker of the Southern District of Indiana. Mr. Smith was named Most Outstanding Clinical Law Student for 2020-2021 for his participation in the Child Advocacy Law Clinic. Mr. Smith continues to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian Ad Litem for children in central Indiana. Mr. Smith is currently serving on the executive board of the Boone County Bar Association.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Smith graduated from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs with high distinction. Mr. Smith spent several years after his undergraduate studies working in the
insurance industry as a claims specialist and as a claims adjudicator for Social Security Disability claims for the State of Indiana.
Mr. Smith is admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana and the Federal District Court for both the Northern District of Indiana and the Southern District of Indiana.
Charles Vaughan, Vaughan & Vaughan
Charles is a fourth-generation personal injury attorney at Vaughan & Vaughan. Charles and his team take great pride in their personal relationships with his clients. He is dedicated to winning in the details, pursuing excellence, and striving to achieve the maximum in each case he works on.
When he approaches each case, he first gets to know his client and their family, asking himself throughout, “How can I make a meaningful difference in the life of this client.” Then he is dedicated to maximizing his impact on his client’s life. “When you grow up surrounded by lawyers it gives you a unique perspective on the world. Being an attorney and walking people through some of life’s biggest challenges is less of a career opportunity for me. It’s just who I am.”
He knew the power of hard work and dedication at a young age, when he became a junior national champion in the pool in high school. He later went on to swim at the collegiate level for Harvard University. He also became a John Harvard Scholar achieving a grade point average in the top 5% of his peers. After undergrad, Charles went on to law school at Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana.
During his time at Harvard, Charles interned with his father at Vaughan & Vaughan. “I will never forget sitting on the porch of a client in rural Indiana, hearing how a truck wreck completely ruined his life just after his wife passed away. I remember to this day the impact it had on me emotionally, the drive it gave me to hold the wrongdoer and insurance company accountable and the battle we took on over the year following to make a difference in that man and his family’s lives. It was in that case I realized being a personal injury attorney was not only a unique privilege, but it was my calling.”
Throughout law school he worked at Vaughan & Vaughan, while maintaining a full course load and passing the bar in February of his last year. In addition to his education at law school, Charles worked across the country at leading personal injury law firms. Working in Atlanta, Georgia and West Palm Beach, Florida, Charles assisted managing partners on cases settling anywhere from less than $100,000 with minor injuries to catastrophic cases settling for $25,000,000. His work on high stakes cases throughout his early years in the law has prepared him well to represent similarly situated clients at Vaughan & Vaughan.
“My grandfather said it well, and my father followed suit as a wonderful example: ‘I, and the generation of Vaughan lawyers before me, have strived to be leaders, not followers. This is what I offer to our clients, and it has served them and our firm well.’"
When he approaches each case, he first gets to know his client and their family, asking himself throughout, “How can I make a meaningful difference in the life of this client.” Then he is dedicated to maximizing his impact on his client’s life. “When you grow up surrounded by lawyers it gives you a unique perspective on the world. Being an attorney and walking people through some of life’s biggest challenges is less of a career opportunity for me. It’s just who I am.”
He knew the power of hard work and dedication at a young age, when he became a junior national champion in the pool in high school. He later went on to swim at the collegiate level for Harvard University. He also became a John Harvard Scholar achieving a grade point average in the top 5% of his peers. After undergrad, Charles went on to law school at Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana.
During his time at Harvard, Charles interned with his father at Vaughan & Vaughan. “I will never forget sitting on the porch of a client in rural Indiana, hearing how a truck wreck completely ruined his life just after his wife passed away. I remember to this day the impact it had on me emotionally, the drive it gave me to hold the wrongdoer and insurance company accountable and the battle we took on over the year following to make a difference in that man and his family’s lives. It was in that case I realized being a personal injury attorney was not only a unique privilege, but it was my calling.”
Throughout law school he worked at Vaughan & Vaughan, while maintaining a full course load and passing the bar in February of his last year. In addition to his education at law school, Charles worked across the country at leading personal injury law firms. Working in Atlanta, Georgia and West Palm Beach, Florida, Charles assisted managing partners on cases settling anywhere from less than $100,000 with minor injuries to catastrophic cases settling for $25,000,000. His work on high stakes cases throughout his early years in the law has prepared him well to represent similarly situated clients at Vaughan & Vaughan.
“My grandfather said it well, and my father followed suit as a wonderful example: ‘I, and the generation of Vaughan lawyers before me, have strived to be leaders, not followers. This is what I offer to our clients, and it has served them and our firm well.’"
Joe Williams, Williams Law Group
Voted one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2017, Joe Williams is often brought in to try complex lawsuits. Joe brings a unique ability to communicate with the jury, making the complex seem simple.
His jury trial success includes recovering $112.4 million for a surgeon-inventor who was cheated by Medtronic (2nd largest verdict in Indiana history), $14.5 million for a roofer wrongfully accused of insurance fraud by State Farm (largest defamation verdict in Indiana history), and $3 million for a former school bus driver injured by a defective medical device. Joe’s trial success has been widely reported in publications like USA Today, the Indianapolis Business Journal, Law.com, and the Indianapolis Star.
Joe received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was awarded the Tennessee Bar Association’s Access to Justice Law Student of the Year in 2004 for his dedication to the legal issues confronted by those in need.
Joe was also awarded the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association's Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award in 2013, which recognized his outstanding dedication to protecting the rights of the injured.
His jury trial success includes recovering $112.4 million for a surgeon-inventor who was cheated by Medtronic (2nd largest verdict in Indiana history), $14.5 million for a roofer wrongfully accused of insurance fraud by State Farm (largest defamation verdict in Indiana history), and $3 million for a former school bus driver injured by a defective medical device. Joe’s trial success has been widely reported in publications like USA Today, the Indianapolis Business Journal, Law.com, and the Indianapolis Star.
Joe received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was awarded the Tennessee Bar Association’s Access to Justice Law Student of the Year in 2004 for his dedication to the legal issues confronted by those in need.
Joe was also awarded the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association's Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award in 2013, which recognized his outstanding dedication to protecting the rights of the injured.
Bill Winingham, Wilson Kehoe Winingham
Whether assisting crime victims as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and state court prosecutor or representing those seriously injured due to negligence or dangerous products, Bill Winingham has always been on the side of those who have suffered from others’ misconduct. His emphasis on civil litigation has evolved to include vehicle accidents, fires and explosions, products liability, and cases against insurance companies for their lack of good faith in settling claims.
Bill has twice been a member of Indiana’s Judicial Nominating and Qualifications Commission since 2011, serving three years terms 2011-2013 and 2020-2022. . This Commission interviews and selects candidates to fill vacancies on the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court, and reviews complaints against and filing charges against Indiana judges for judicial misconduct. Bill is also a past chairman and current former member of the Board of Directors for the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Foundation, past member of the Indianapolis Bar Association Board of Directors, a fellow in the American College of Trial lawyers, and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Bill has twice been a member of Indiana’s Judicial Nominating and Qualifications Commission since 2011, serving three years terms 2011-2013 and 2020-2022. . This Commission interviews and selects candidates to fill vacancies on the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court, and reviews complaints against and filing charges against Indiana judges for judicial misconduct. Bill is also a past chairman and current former member of the Board of Directors for the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Foundation, past member of the Indianapolis Bar Association Board of Directors, a fellow in the American College of Trial lawyers, and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Kent Winingham, Wilson Kehoe Winingham
Kent Winingham earned his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2015, where he made the Dean’s List each year. After law school, Kent practiced at a prominent personal injury firm in downtown Chicago. While Kent’s practice focused primarily on cases of nursing home neglect and abuse, he litigated a variety of personal injury and medical malpractice cases to trial.
Since moving back to Indianapolis to join Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers in 2017, Kent has tried multiple cases to verdict. His verdicts include cases involving medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and motor vehicle collisions. He has tried cases in Indiana as well as outside of Indiana.
Prior to practicing law, Kent attended Bowdoin College, where he majored in government and legal studies. Kent played on the Bowdoin men’s tennis team all four years and was the captain his senior year, when the team reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division III National Championship. In his free time, Kent enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their two sons, golfing, running, playing tennis, exploring Indianapolis, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.
Since moving back to Indianapolis to join Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers in 2017, Kent has tried multiple cases to verdict. His verdicts include cases involving medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and motor vehicle collisions. He has tried cases in Indiana as well as outside of Indiana.
Prior to practicing law, Kent attended Bowdoin College, where he majored in government and legal studies. Kent played on the Bowdoin men’s tennis team all four years and was the captain his senior year, when the team reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division III National Championship. In his free time, Kent enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their two sons, golfing, running, playing tennis, exploring Indianapolis, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.
Holly Wojcik Rooth, Langer & Langer
Holly Wojcik Rooth is a partner at Langer & Langer where she focuses her practice in the areas of medical malpractice and other personal injury cases. Holly earned her B.A. degree in psychology, magna cum laude, from Michigan State University in 1998 and her J.D, cum laude, from Valparaiso School of Law in 2001. She clerked in London, England and at the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in Chicago before entering her law practice.
She is a member of the Lake County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, ITLA Women's Law Caucus, and the American Association for Justice. Holly was the first woman ever elected to the Indiana Judicial Qualifications/Nominating Commission and served as a Commissioner from 2021-2023. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Holly has handled hundreds of medical malpractice claims in Indiana and was on the legal team that prosecuted 288 claims against Dr. Mark Weinberger, "The Runaway Doctor" featured on America's Most Wanted and American Greed, which resulted in a $55 million dollar settlement for her clients after the indictment, extradition, and imprisonment of the Merrillville doctor.
Holly has been named as an Indiana Super Lawyer for 2019-2024. She has been pleased to speak at various ITLA, ICLEF, and Lake County Bar seminars, the Kentucky Justice Association Women Lawyers Caucus (2023), the Embrace Your Inner Badass conference in Palm Springs, California (2023), and volunteers at Chesterton and Merrillville High Schools educating high school students on what it is like to practice law. Holly has also written articles published in Res Gestae.
When she is not working, Holly enjoys fishing and spending most of her time doing anything outdoors including canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. Holly is a huge soccer fan, having played women’s soccer in college. She has a passion for traveling which has taken her all over the world including backpacking across Europe, camping in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, on an all-women's rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, and most recently, a safari in South Africa. Holly is originally from St. Joseph, Michigan and currently lives in Valparaiso, Indiana.
She is a member of the Lake County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, ITLA Women's Law Caucus, and the American Association for Justice. Holly was the first woman ever elected to the Indiana Judicial Qualifications/Nominating Commission and served as a Commissioner from 2021-2023. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Holly has handled hundreds of medical malpractice claims in Indiana and was on the legal team that prosecuted 288 claims against Dr. Mark Weinberger, "The Runaway Doctor" featured on America's Most Wanted and American Greed, which resulted in a $55 million dollar settlement for her clients after the indictment, extradition, and imprisonment of the Merrillville doctor.
Holly has been named as an Indiana Super Lawyer for 2019-2024. She has been pleased to speak at various ITLA, ICLEF, and Lake County Bar seminars, the Kentucky Justice Association Women Lawyers Caucus (2023), the Embrace Your Inner Badass conference in Palm Springs, California (2023), and volunteers at Chesterton and Merrillville High Schools educating high school students on what it is like to practice law. Holly has also written articles published in Res Gestae.
When she is not working, Holly enjoys fishing and spending most of her time doing anything outdoors including canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. Holly is a huge soccer fan, having played women’s soccer in college. She has a passion for traveling which has taken her all over the world including backpacking across Europe, camping in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, on an all-women's rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, and most recently, a safari in South Africa. Holly is originally from St. Joseph, Michigan and currently lives in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Tyler Zipes, Hovde Law
Tyler Zipes is an attorney at Hovde Dassow + Deets in Indianapolis. His primary areas of practice are person injury, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice.
Tyler has been selected as a Rising Star Top Attorney in Indiana every year since 2020. In his six years of practice, he has tried numerous cases to verdict, argued multiple cases before the Indiana Supreme Court, and served multiple times as Amicus Curiae on behalf of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Tyler would like to thank Joe Fried, Keith Mitnik, David Ball, and other more accomplished trucking lawyers than himself for their contributions to his presentation: “Finding the Hidden Motor Carrier.”
Tyler has been selected as a Rising Star Top Attorney in Indiana every year since 2020. In his six years of practice, he has tried numerous cases to verdict, argued multiple cases before the Indiana Supreme Court, and served multiple times as Amicus Curiae on behalf of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Tyler would like to thank Joe Fried, Keith Mitnik, David Ball, and other more accomplished trucking lawyers than himself for their contributions to his presentation: “Finding the Hidden Motor Carrier.”