2021 Max Goodwin Young Lawyer of the Year - Brandon Tate
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Brandon E. Tate is a member at Waldron Tate Bowen Funk Spandau LLC. Brandon focuses his practice on trials, personal injury, wrongful death, Section 1983 constitutional violation claims against state and local entities (such as claims against the Indiana Department of Child Services and claims against cities and counties/police departments for police action shootings resulting in death, excessive force resulting in serious bodily injury, and deaths/catastrophic injuries of bystanders resulting from high-speed chases), and life insurance denials (both non-ERISA and ERISA policies). Brandon represents injured Hoosiers and their families throughout the State of Indiana striving to help them through their most difficult times with a drive to help those affected by an injury or loss.
Brandon has been selected to the Rising Star List by Super Lawyers in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. |
Brandon regularly works with other attorneys around the state both formally as co- counsel and informally in the progression of the advancement of Indiana laws for injured Hoosiers. He is dedicated to the constitutional rights of open access to the courts and equal protection under the law for all persons in Indiana, and strives to protect those in all his cases looking to obtain verdicts that could effectuate change
Brandon earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. While in law school, Brandon earned the Pro Bono Program’s Gold Level award, the Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence, for amassing more than two hundred (200) Pro Bono hours. Brandon was also an active member of the international legal honor society, Phi Delta Phi, Wilkie Inn Chapter. Brandon earned his Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. During his time at Clemson University, Brandon was a member of the National Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha.
Brandon is an active member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association as a Sustaining Member and member of the Young Lawyers Section, Indiana State Bar Association as a Sustaining Member, and the Indianapolis Bar Association. Brandon currently serves on various committees for the ISBA Solo-Small Firm Conference, including co-chairing the programming committee, and is the secretary-treasurer of the ISBA Young Lawyer Section Council and will lead both committees as the Chair in the coming years. Brandon has taught Bar Review courses preparing Indiana Bar Exam takers for the February and July Bar Exams. Brandon is involved in additional committees and events focusing on the development and transition of law students into practice of law and the development of young lawyers. Brandon and his wife reside in Indianapolis.
Brandon earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. While in law school, Brandon earned the Pro Bono Program’s Gold Level award, the Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence, for amassing more than two hundred (200) Pro Bono hours. Brandon was also an active member of the international legal honor society, Phi Delta Phi, Wilkie Inn Chapter. Brandon earned his Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. During his time at Clemson University, Brandon was a member of the National Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha.
Brandon is an active member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association as a Sustaining Member and member of the Young Lawyers Section, Indiana State Bar Association as a Sustaining Member, and the Indianapolis Bar Association. Brandon currently serves on various committees for the ISBA Solo-Small Firm Conference, including co-chairing the programming committee, and is the secretary-treasurer of the ISBA Young Lawyer Section Council and will lead both committees as the Chair in the coming years. Brandon has taught Bar Review courses preparing Indiana Bar Exam takers for the February and July Bar Exams. Brandon is involved in additional committees and events focusing on the development and transition of law students into practice of law and the development of young lawyers. Brandon and his wife reside in Indianapolis.
"For distinguished service to the citizens of Indiana and the United States as an outstanding young lawyer dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured under the laws of the State of Indiana and the United States of America"
Brandon was nominated for the Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award
by Kevin Bowen. The text of his nomination is below.
In considering the factors the ITLA is looking at, Brandon exemplifies what the ITLA is looking for in a nominee for the Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award. Brandon has built his practice over the past eight years, starting a law firm with myself right out of law school, with the sole goal to help persons all across Indiana.
He regularly works with other attorneys around the state both formally as co counsel and informally as a sounding board assisting in the progression of the advancement of Indiana laws for injured Hoosiers.
He is dedicated to the constitutional rights of open access to the courts and equal protection under the law for all persons in Indiana, and strives to protect those in all his cases looking to obtain verdicts that could effectuate change – such as a trial he has going in October with his co-counsel Jason Shartzer against the IMPD for the shooting and killing of a resident in the doorway of his home by two police officers at 1:00 a.m.
Additionally, when asked by the Southern District this year to appear and try a case on behalf of an inmate, he did not hesitate, and will be assisting that inmate to trial this year with no financial motivation.
Brandon was lucky in that he has been able to guide his approach to litigating off great mentors who are active ITLA members with many years of experience. Having seen what he’s done in his career and for our clients over the past year with a wife going through cancer treatment, multiple surgeries, and another upcoming treatment, I can confidently say his dedication to protecting the rights of persons all across Indiana has not waivered and has only gotten stronger.
He regularly works with other attorneys around the state both formally as co counsel and informally as a sounding board assisting in the progression of the advancement of Indiana laws for injured Hoosiers.
He is dedicated to the constitutional rights of open access to the courts and equal protection under the law for all persons in Indiana, and strives to protect those in all his cases looking to obtain verdicts that could effectuate change – such as a trial he has going in October with his co-counsel Jason Shartzer against the IMPD for the shooting and killing of a resident in the doorway of his home by two police officers at 1:00 a.m.
Additionally, when asked by the Southern District this year to appear and try a case on behalf of an inmate, he did not hesitate, and will be assisting that inmate to trial this year with no financial motivation.
Brandon was lucky in that he has been able to guide his approach to litigating off great mentors who are active ITLA members with many years of experience. Having seen what he’s done in his career and for our clients over the past year with a wife going through cancer treatment, multiple surgeries, and another upcoming treatment, I can confidently say his dedication to protecting the rights of persons all across Indiana has not waivered and has only gotten stronger.