2025 Trial Lawyer of the Year
Katie Piscione, Waldron/Tate/Land
Katie Piscione serves as an associate attorney at Waldron Tate Land LLC, specializing in a diverse range of legal areas such as personal injury, medical malpractice, constitutional violations, real estate, and business. 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.
Representative Jury Verdicts:
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.
Representative Jury Verdicts:
- $159,000,000.00 Motor Vehicle Collision – Quadriplegia (Boone County) – Largest reported Jury Verdict in Indiana History
- $156,315.02 Slip and Fall (Johnson County)
- $350,000.00 Motor Vehicle on Pedestrian in the dark (Marion County)
- $146,430.00 Slip and Fall (Marion County)
- $275,000.00 Motor Vehicle Collision (Marion County) – Final offer from the Defense was $6,000.00
- $1,250,000.00 – Traumatic Injuries – Motor Vehicle Collision
- 2018 CALI Excellence for the Future Award- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law
- 2019 CALI Excellence for the Future Award- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law
- 2021 Certificate in Advocacy- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law
- 2024 Selection to the Indiana Rising Stars List- Super Lawyers
- 2025 Selection to the Indiana Rising Stars List – Super Lawyers
- Indiana State Bar Association:
- Member, 2021 to Present – Young Lawyers Section Council
- Secretary, 2024-Present – Young Lawyers Section Council
- Member, Planning Committee, 2021 to Present – Solo-Small Firm Conference Planning Committee
- Marketing Chair, 2024-Present – Solo-Small Firm Conference Planning Committee
- Secretary, 2022-2023, – GP Solo and Small Firm Section
- Vice Chair, 2023-2024 – GP Solo and Small Firm Section
- Chair, 2024-Present – GP Solo and Small Firm Section
- Leadership Development Academy, Class 12 – 2024
- American Association of Justice
- Member, Present
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Member, Present
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Present
- Illinois Bar Association
- Member, Present
- Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Medical Malpractice
- Constitutional Violations
- Business and Commercial Real Estate Transactions and Litigation
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.
Anne Marie, Brandon Tate, and Katie Piscione's Nomination
Submitted by Sarah Graziano
In 2023-2025 Ann Marie, Brandon Tate & Katie Piscione have teamed up and obtained tremendous results in trial for deserving clients as well as a devasting loss. They are fighting every single day for the clients as evidenced by both their wins and their willingness to try difficult cases. Here are dome of the results:
Rodney Napier v. Justin Davis Verdict: $350,000.00 - Client was driving his motorized wheelchair across the road at an intersection when he was struck by a vehicle turning left. There was no marked crosswalk or sidewalks on either side of the intersection and it was dark outside around 5:30 a.m. Renal tear that healed and broken ribs. Treatment done after around 6 months mostly just PT. Stanley number of $38,000.00.
Case 2 (Ann Marie and Katie): Verdict: $146,430.00 - Individual walking out of a City Barbeque. Tripped and fell on a mat that was out on the floor just on the exterior side of the doors. Fractured her shoulder. Stanley number of $2,300.00.
Case 3 (Ann Marie, Brandon and Katie): Sherry Schnee, David Mark Schnee v Ryann Early Verdict: $159,000,000.00 - Drunk driver hit Mrs. Schnee's vehicle head-on after Mrs. Schnee had dropped her son off at work. As a result, she became quadriplegic. Were not allowed to inform the jury that the Defendant was drunk. Stanley number of $914,000.00. Verdict was $84,000,000.00 to Mrs. Schnee and $75,000,000.00 to Mr. Schnee for his loss of consortium claim.
Case 4 (Brandon): In Re: Docketing of Ralph Pardieck Trust Trial: $13,700,000.00 - Two week jury trial on breach of fiduciary duties primarily between the two sons of Ralph Pardieck who owned a large scale mobile home park down in Seymour with a claim existing by our Client against the mother of the two sons passed away prior to trial. We represented the oppressed minority shareholder against the majority shareholder who had the control of the company. The Jury entered their verdict for the breaches of fiduciary duty at $13,700,000.00. Additionally, the Court granted our request for a Forced Sale requiring the majority shareholder to buy out the oppressed minority shareholders. The jury also set aside the Trust of Ralph Pardieck at our request for undue influence. Intertwined issues of Trust and corporate disputes.
Case 5 (Brandon and Katie): Hollett v. Favors Trial: $275,000.47 (excess verdict) -It was a Rear-End Collision admitted fault case in Marion County that happened over 4 years ago. Fair amount of damage to the trunk area of our client's car, but our client's vehicle was operable, not much damage to the Defendant's vehicle, and the Defendant characterized herself as going 5-10 mph.
Case 6 (Brandon and Katie): Gregory v. Phares Trial: $15,000 -14 year old back seat passenger in a car. Driver failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by another driver. Cuts from broken glass and other injuries.
Case 7 (Ann Marie, Brandon and Katie) Miller v. Tran Cause No. 29D05-1906-CT-005920 (Hamilton) Trial: April 2024 Trial: Defense Verdict -Medical Malpractice case where misdiagnosed with Lupus and several autoimmune diseases. Medical review panel found malpractice but no causation.
Rodney Napier v. Justin Davis Verdict: $350,000.00 - Client was driving his motorized wheelchair across the road at an intersection when he was struck by a vehicle turning left. There was no marked crosswalk or sidewalks on either side of the intersection and it was dark outside around 5:30 a.m. Renal tear that healed and broken ribs. Treatment done after around 6 months mostly just PT. Stanley number of $38,000.00.
Case 2 (Ann Marie and Katie): Verdict: $146,430.00 - Individual walking out of a City Barbeque. Tripped and fell on a mat that was out on the floor just on the exterior side of the doors. Fractured her shoulder. Stanley number of $2,300.00.
Case 3 (Ann Marie, Brandon and Katie): Sherry Schnee, David Mark Schnee v Ryann Early Verdict: $159,000,000.00 - Drunk driver hit Mrs. Schnee's vehicle head-on after Mrs. Schnee had dropped her son off at work. As a result, she became quadriplegic. Were not allowed to inform the jury that the Defendant was drunk. Stanley number of $914,000.00. Verdict was $84,000,000.00 to Mrs. Schnee and $75,000,000.00 to Mr. Schnee for his loss of consortium claim.
Case 4 (Brandon): In Re: Docketing of Ralph Pardieck Trust Trial: $13,700,000.00 - Two week jury trial on breach of fiduciary duties primarily between the two sons of Ralph Pardieck who owned a large scale mobile home park down in Seymour with a claim existing by our Client against the mother of the two sons passed away prior to trial. We represented the oppressed minority shareholder against the majority shareholder who had the control of the company. The Jury entered their verdict for the breaches of fiduciary duty at $13,700,000.00. Additionally, the Court granted our request for a Forced Sale requiring the majority shareholder to buy out the oppressed minority shareholders. The jury also set aside the Trust of Ralph Pardieck at our request for undue influence. Intertwined issues of Trust and corporate disputes.
Case 5 (Brandon and Katie): Hollett v. Favors Trial: $275,000.47 (excess verdict) -It was a Rear-End Collision admitted fault case in Marion County that happened over 4 years ago. Fair amount of damage to the trunk area of our client's car, but our client's vehicle was operable, not much damage to the Defendant's vehicle, and the Defendant characterized herself as going 5-10 mph.
Case 6 (Brandon and Katie): Gregory v. Phares Trial: $15,000 -14 year old back seat passenger in a car. Driver failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by another driver. Cuts from broken glass and other injuries.
Case 7 (Ann Marie, Brandon and Katie) Miller v. Tran Cause No. 29D05-1906-CT-005920 (Hamilton) Trial: April 2024 Trial: Defense Verdict -Medical Malpractice case where misdiagnosed with Lupus and several autoimmune diseases. Medical review panel found malpractice but no causation.