2026 Trial Lawyer of the Year
Emily Guenin-Hodson, Guenin Law
Within months of graduating law school and joining Guenin Law, Emily became one of the youngest attorneys to argue a case in front of the Indiana Supreme Court. After that first successful appeal, Emily and Mark have co-authored numerous appellate briefs which have benefited their clients. Their efforts have successfully resolved car crashes, semi-truck crashes, construction failures underinsured motorist insurance claims (UIM), uninsured motorist insurance claims (UM), product failures, plant explosions, electrocutions, fire losses, and insurance coverage disputes.
Guenin Law’s trial work and appeal work led them to become involved in the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association which is dedicated to preserving the constitutional rights of open access to the courts and equal protection under the law for all persons in Indiana. The organization includes approximately 1,000 members throughout the state of Indiana. Emily is a Past President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, having served as President from 2023-2024.
In 2023, Emily received the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Award. Emily has also been appointed by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Rush to the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education, where she served as Chair of the Commission. She was also appointed to Indiana's Civil Litigation Taskforce and the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future, where she serves as part of the Business & Licensure Models Work Group and as part of the Indiana Broadband discussion. Emily is also a member of the Advisory Panel on Attorney Specialization – Trucking Litigation and Advisory Panel on Attorney Specialization – Civil Practice and Civil Trial Advocacy. She has been a member of the Indiana Delegation to the 2023 Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators in Ann Arbor, MI and was Co-Chair of Rural Justice & Public Health Professionals Summit.
At Guenin Law we recognize that each of our clients have a unique story and we are passionate about making sure those stories are told. Each person and each case is important. Each story needs to be researched, developed, and told in a way that allows for a just outcome. This is what Mark and Emily strive to do.
Emily is married to Jeff Guenin-Hodson and they have two sons, Troy and Drew.
Guenin Law’s trial work and appeal work led them to become involved in the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association which is dedicated to preserving the constitutional rights of open access to the courts and equal protection under the law for all persons in Indiana. The organization includes approximately 1,000 members throughout the state of Indiana. Emily is a Past President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, having served as President from 2023-2024.
In 2023, Emily received the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Award. Emily has also been appointed by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Rush to the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education, where she served as Chair of the Commission. She was also appointed to Indiana's Civil Litigation Taskforce and the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future, where she serves as part of the Business & Licensure Models Work Group and as part of the Indiana Broadband discussion. Emily is also a member of the Advisory Panel on Attorney Specialization – Trucking Litigation and Advisory Panel on Attorney Specialization – Civil Practice and Civil Trial Advocacy. She has been a member of the Indiana Delegation to the 2023 Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators in Ann Arbor, MI and was Co-Chair of Rural Justice & Public Health Professionals Summit.
At Guenin Law we recognize that each of our clients have a unique story and we are passionate about making sure those stories are told. Each person and each case is important. Each story needs to be researched, developed, and told in a way that allows for a just outcome. This is what Mark and Emily strive to do.
Emily is married to Jeff Guenin-Hodson and they have two sons, Troy and Drew.
Trial Lawyer of the Year Award Criteria
A lawyer who upholds the honor of the legal profession and is a true defender of the people; a lawyer who works to protect the rights of injured victims and consumers; a lawyer who successfully handles a case of major public importance in state or federal court, including appellate courts; a lawyer who assists ITLA in their efforts to protect the rights of consumers and injured victims at the state legislature and the U.S. Congress; a lawyer who devotes substantial time and effort to further the mission of ITLA by serving as a member; a lawyer who frequently publishes articles and gives presentations in support of the rights of injured victims and consumer rights; and lastly, a lawyer who earns admiration and respect for trial lawyers as a result of noteworthy activities.
Nick Deets, Tyler Zipes, Emily Guenin-Hodson, and Mark Guenin Nomination
Submitted by Steve Langer, Bob Johnson, and Dan Ladendorf
It is our distinct pleasure and privilege to nominate Emily Guenin-Hodson and Mark Guenin of Guenin Law Office and Nick Deets and Tyler Zipes of Hovde Dassow & Deets for Lawyers of the Year.
The main focus of our nomination is their work in years long product liability case that was resolved this year. This litigation arose from a devastating residential fire that started in a piece of furniture with electrical components and forever devastated an entire family. The fire claimed the lives of a young mother and her two daughters who were 6 mos. old and 2 years old. It left a 6 year old son with catastrophic injuries that will never allow him to live independently, including severe traumatic brain injury, and a father struggling through unimaginable grief while attempting to rebuild a life, provide a home, and furnish twenty-four-hour care for his surviving child.
Most of the evidence was destroyed in the fire and could not be tested. Many lawyers would have seen tragedy and uncertainty. These lawyers saw a need for corporate responsibility and accountability, as well as a need to secure justice for this family.
Over the course of six years, Emily, Mark, Nick, and Tyler devoted themselves to uncovering the truth and building a case where other lawyers believed none existed. They approached the case with uncommon persistence and extraordinary attention to detail, never losing sight of the people they represent or the devastating human loss at the center of the litigation.
What emerged was a case built, quite literally, from the ashes of a home fire.
The defendants included American, European, and Chinese companies, creating complex and evolving questions concerning jurisdiction, venue, corporate identity, insurance coverage, indemnity obligations, and responsibility for the design, manufacture, assembly, importation, distribution, and supply of the electrical components at issue. Resolving those issues required years of investigation, discovery, and persistence.
The complexity of the litigation cannot be overstated. Service had to be completed in China and Europe through the Hague Convention. The matter was removed to federal court. The lawyers were then able to get the matter remanded to Indiana state court because LLC’s refused to divulge their membership. They were able to venue the case in Hamilton County by naming the homeowner’s insurer as a defendant based on some unpaid property damage claims. Counsel successfully navigated multiple motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, and other dispositive challenges while simultaneously pursuing and prevailing on numerous motions to compel that were essential to obtaining critical evidence and enforcing discovery obligations. More than 100 sets of written discovery were served upon defendants and non-parties, and over 500,000 documents were reviewed and analyzed. Chinese and German documents and corporate websites were translated and carefully incorporated into the evidentiary record. Evidence was gathered from several states throughout the country, including Washington, Arizona, California, and Florida, and depositions were conducted across multiple states.
Through persistent discovery efforts and sanctions obtained by Plaintiffs' counsel, the CEOs of Chinese and German companies were required to travel from those countries to Indiana and personally appear for their depositions, an extraordinary result that ensured accountability and prevented key corporate witnesses from avoiding meaningful examination.
The matter proceeded before Judge Michael A. Casati in Hamilton Superior Court 1.
The defense was substantial and sophisticated. Several lawyers from large, respected firms in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere vigorously defended the claims. To their credit, defense counsel remained professional and respectful of the extraordinary human loss involved while nonetheless mounting an aggressive and highly capable defense. Ultimately, a substantial, confidential settlement was achieved.
These lawyers took on a case many believed could not be won. In the aftermath of a catastrophic fire, many saw only tragedy and uncertainty. Emily, Mark, Nick and Tyler saw something very, very wrong. Where others saw confusion or no liability and no case, they committed themselves to uncovering the truth—piece by piece, document by document, deposition by deposition, expert by expert.
Justice in this matter did not arrive easily. It was earned through intelligence, compassion, persistence, and years of relentless work on behalf of a grieving father and catastrophically injured child. This case was won by excellent lawyering.
The impact of this case extends far beyond its resolution. It reinforces that Indiana courts remain a place where ordinary families can obtain justice against sophisticated international corporate defendants, regardless of geography, complexity, or resources. The result stands as a reminder that difficult cases deserve to be pursued and that accountability can be achieved through preparation, persistence, and principled advocacy.
The qualities that made these nominees successful in this litigation are the same qualities they bring to the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the profession as a whole. They are not lawyers who simply take from the plaintiffs' bar; they give back to it. Each has demonstrated a genuine commitment to trying cases and helping fellow trial lawyers better serve injured Hoosiers through participation in ITLA amicus efforts, active involvement on ITLA committees and the listserv, and numerous presentations at continuing legal education programs. Between them, they have authored more than 10 amicus briefs for ITLA. Emily and Nick have fought for ITLA’s interests on the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee. They willingly share ideas, strategies, and lessons learned from difficult cases, understanding that when one trial lawyer becomes better prepared, all injured clients benefit. Having worked alongside them for years, we have seen firsthand their willingness to answer questions, mentor younger lawyers, and contribute their time and knowledge for the benefit of others. Their impact extends well beyond the clients they represent and the cases they win. Through their service to ITLA and the broader legal community, they have helped strengthen the plaintiffs' bar and advance the cause of justice for injured Hoosiers across Indiana.
For those reasons, and with great pride and admiration, we nominate Emily Guenin-Hodson, Mark Guenin, Nick Deets, and Tyler Zipes for Trial Lawyers of the Year.
The main focus of our nomination is their work in years long product liability case that was resolved this year. This litigation arose from a devastating residential fire that started in a piece of furniture with electrical components and forever devastated an entire family. The fire claimed the lives of a young mother and her two daughters who were 6 mos. old and 2 years old. It left a 6 year old son with catastrophic injuries that will never allow him to live independently, including severe traumatic brain injury, and a father struggling through unimaginable grief while attempting to rebuild a life, provide a home, and furnish twenty-four-hour care for his surviving child.
Most of the evidence was destroyed in the fire and could not be tested. Many lawyers would have seen tragedy and uncertainty. These lawyers saw a need for corporate responsibility and accountability, as well as a need to secure justice for this family.
Over the course of six years, Emily, Mark, Nick, and Tyler devoted themselves to uncovering the truth and building a case where other lawyers believed none existed. They approached the case with uncommon persistence and extraordinary attention to detail, never losing sight of the people they represent or the devastating human loss at the center of the litigation.
What emerged was a case built, quite literally, from the ashes of a home fire.
The defendants included American, European, and Chinese companies, creating complex and evolving questions concerning jurisdiction, venue, corporate identity, insurance coverage, indemnity obligations, and responsibility for the design, manufacture, assembly, importation, distribution, and supply of the electrical components at issue. Resolving those issues required years of investigation, discovery, and persistence.
The complexity of the litigation cannot be overstated. Service had to be completed in China and Europe through the Hague Convention. The matter was removed to federal court. The lawyers were then able to get the matter remanded to Indiana state court because LLC’s refused to divulge their membership. They were able to venue the case in Hamilton County by naming the homeowner’s insurer as a defendant based on some unpaid property damage claims. Counsel successfully navigated multiple motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, and other dispositive challenges while simultaneously pursuing and prevailing on numerous motions to compel that were essential to obtaining critical evidence and enforcing discovery obligations. More than 100 sets of written discovery were served upon defendants and non-parties, and over 500,000 documents were reviewed and analyzed. Chinese and German documents and corporate websites were translated and carefully incorporated into the evidentiary record. Evidence was gathered from several states throughout the country, including Washington, Arizona, California, and Florida, and depositions were conducted across multiple states.
Through persistent discovery efforts and sanctions obtained by Plaintiffs' counsel, the CEOs of Chinese and German companies were required to travel from those countries to Indiana and personally appear for their depositions, an extraordinary result that ensured accountability and prevented key corporate witnesses from avoiding meaningful examination.
The matter proceeded before Judge Michael A. Casati in Hamilton Superior Court 1.
The defense was substantial and sophisticated. Several lawyers from large, respected firms in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere vigorously defended the claims. To their credit, defense counsel remained professional and respectful of the extraordinary human loss involved while nonetheless mounting an aggressive and highly capable defense. Ultimately, a substantial, confidential settlement was achieved.
These lawyers took on a case many believed could not be won. In the aftermath of a catastrophic fire, many saw only tragedy and uncertainty. Emily, Mark, Nick and Tyler saw something very, very wrong. Where others saw confusion or no liability and no case, they committed themselves to uncovering the truth—piece by piece, document by document, deposition by deposition, expert by expert.
Justice in this matter did not arrive easily. It was earned through intelligence, compassion, persistence, and years of relentless work on behalf of a grieving father and catastrophically injured child. This case was won by excellent lawyering.
The impact of this case extends far beyond its resolution. It reinforces that Indiana courts remain a place where ordinary families can obtain justice against sophisticated international corporate defendants, regardless of geography, complexity, or resources. The result stands as a reminder that difficult cases deserve to be pursued and that accountability can be achieved through preparation, persistence, and principled advocacy.
The qualities that made these nominees successful in this litigation are the same qualities they bring to the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the profession as a whole. They are not lawyers who simply take from the plaintiffs' bar; they give back to it. Each has demonstrated a genuine commitment to trying cases and helping fellow trial lawyers better serve injured Hoosiers through participation in ITLA amicus efforts, active involvement on ITLA committees and the listserv, and numerous presentations at continuing legal education programs. Between them, they have authored more than 10 amicus briefs for ITLA. Emily and Nick have fought for ITLA’s interests on the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee. They willingly share ideas, strategies, and lessons learned from difficult cases, understanding that when one trial lawyer becomes better prepared, all injured clients benefit. Having worked alongside them for years, we have seen firsthand their willingness to answer questions, mentor younger lawyers, and contribute their time and knowledge for the benefit of others. Their impact extends well beyond the clients they represent and the cases they win. Through their service to ITLA and the broader legal community, they have helped strengthen the plaintiffs' bar and advance the cause of justice for injured Hoosiers across Indiana.
For those reasons, and with great pride and admiration, we nominate Emily Guenin-Hodson, Mark Guenin, Nick Deets, and Tyler Zipes for Trial Lawyers of the Year.