2025 Max Goodwin Young Lawyer of the Year - Sara Langer
Attorney Sara Langer brings to Langer & Langer an insatiable desire to succeed, as well as an insurmountable sense of advocacy on behalf of those who have been victimized by others.
Following in her father Steven’s footsteps, the law has always been part of Sara’s life. Admiring his work ethic, she saw how he has been able to help people during very difficult times, and strives to bring that passion to her own practice.
Sara earned her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and sociology, also at IU, where she graduated with honors. She continued on in Bloomington and earned her J.D. from Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law, where she ranked in the top 10 percent of her class and graduated magna cum laude. Additionally, she had an externship with Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Sara is also passionate about animals. While at Maurer School of Law, she was president and member of the IU Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization dedicated to providing an outlet for education and advocacy in protecting and preserving the interests of animals. Sara is also a long-time equestrian, participating in Eventing competitions and owning two horses.
Sara is admitted to practice in Indiana in the Northern and Southern Districts. A life-long Valparaiso resident, Sara continues to live in the area
Following in her father Steven’s footsteps, the law has always been part of Sara’s life. Admiring his work ethic, she saw how he has been able to help people during very difficult times, and strives to bring that passion to her own practice.
Sara earned her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and sociology, also at IU, where she graduated with honors. She continued on in Bloomington and earned her J.D. from Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law, where she ranked in the top 10 percent of her class and graduated magna cum laude. Additionally, she had an externship with Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Sara is also passionate about animals. While at Maurer School of Law, she was president and member of the IU Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization dedicated to providing an outlet for education and advocacy in protecting and preserving the interests of animals. Sara is also a long-time equestrian, participating in Eventing competitions and owning two horses.
Sara is admitted to practice in Indiana in the Northern and Southern Districts. A life-long Valparaiso resident, Sara continues to live in the area
"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"
Sara was nominated for the Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award
by James Barth.
The text of his nomination is below.
It’s my absolute pleasure to nominate Sara Langer for the Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award. As an attorney at Langer & Langer, Sara has proven time and time again that she’s not only an incredible advocate for her clients but also a leader in our legal community. Her dedication to the law, her commitment to justice, and her contributions to the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) make her more than deserving of this recognition.
For Sara, the law isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. Growing up, she was inspired by her father, Steven Langer, whose tireless work ethic and passion for helping others set the foundation for her own legal journey. She saw firsthand the real impact a lawyer can have on people’s lives, and that sense of purpose has driven her every step of the way.
Her academic credentials speak for themselves. Sara graduated magna cum laude from Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law, finishing in the top 10% of her class. While in law school, she landed a prestigious externship with Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court, gaining firsthand experience in appellate advocacy and the inner workings of the judicial system—an experience that continues to shape her exceptional work in appellate law today.
Sara has played a key role in shaping Indiana law, serving as amicus counsel in major cases before the Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. A few highlights:
• Glock v. Kennedy (amicus for Appellee) – Successfully argued that an expert is not required to establish what a reasonable person would do in an informed consent case. 133 N.E.3d 768 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019).
• Clark v. Mattar (amicus for Appellant, where she wrote the Brief and Steve Langer performed oral argument) – Successfully argued that the trial court failed to grant a "for cause" jury challenge. The Indiana Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals on July 9, 2020. 148 N.E.3d 988 (Ind. 2020).
• Arrendale v. American Imaging & MRI, LCC (amicus for Appellant, where she performed oral argument) – Successfully established that Sword v. NKC Hospitals applies to non-hospital healthcare provider entities. 183 N.E.3d 1064 (Ind. 2022).
• Bojko v. Anonymous (amicus for Appellant) – Successfully argued that a trial court does not have the authority to act as a gatekeeper for what a party can include in its Medical Review Panel submission. 232 N.E.3d 1155 (Ind. 2024).
• Abbas MD et al v. Hetep Bilal (amicus for Appellant, where she performed oral argument on January 23, 2025) – argued that (1) the rule that if a trial court correctly instructs the jury on causation, it has complete discretion on whether to instruct on intervening cause extends to contributory negligence cases, and (2) a plaintiff’s own post-malpractice conduct cannot be an intervening cause. Waiting for the Court’s decision.
Significant other case:
• WEOC, Inc. v. Niebauer (attorney for appellee, briefed the matter and performed the oral argument) – Successfully argued that the Dram Shop Act did not eliminate a dram shop’s independent common-law duty) 226 N.E.3d 771 (Ind. 2024)
But Sara’s impact goes far beyond appellate advocacy. She’s a natural leader and mentor, always willing to share her knowledge with others. She’s spoken at ITLA events numerous times, offering valuable insights to fellow attorneys and helping strengthen our legal community.
Outside of the courtroom, Sara’s dedication to advocacy is just as strong. While at Maurer, she served as President of the IU Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, working to promote education and legal protections for animal rights. She’s also a lifelong equestrian, competing in Eventing (horse trials) and balancing the intense demands of legal practice with the same discipline and perseverance she brings to every aspect of her life.
Sara is admitted to practice in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and she remains an engaged and respected member of the legal community in Valparaiso. Her sharp legal mind, tireless work ethic, and commitment to ITLA and the profession as a whole make her an outstanding candidate for this award.
Simply put, Sara is the kind of lawyer you want on your side—whether as a colleague, mentor, or advocate. I wholeheartedly support her nomination and know she will continue help raise tide for all of us and make a lasting impact on the legal field for years to come.
For Sara, the law isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. Growing up, she was inspired by her father, Steven Langer, whose tireless work ethic and passion for helping others set the foundation for her own legal journey. She saw firsthand the real impact a lawyer can have on people’s lives, and that sense of purpose has driven her every step of the way.
Her academic credentials speak for themselves. Sara graduated magna cum laude from Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law, finishing in the top 10% of her class. While in law school, she landed a prestigious externship with Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court, gaining firsthand experience in appellate advocacy and the inner workings of the judicial system—an experience that continues to shape her exceptional work in appellate law today.
Sara has played a key role in shaping Indiana law, serving as amicus counsel in major cases before the Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. A few highlights:
• Glock v. Kennedy (amicus for Appellee) – Successfully argued that an expert is not required to establish what a reasonable person would do in an informed consent case. 133 N.E.3d 768 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019).
• Clark v. Mattar (amicus for Appellant, where she wrote the Brief and Steve Langer performed oral argument) – Successfully argued that the trial court failed to grant a "for cause" jury challenge. The Indiana Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals on July 9, 2020. 148 N.E.3d 988 (Ind. 2020).
• Arrendale v. American Imaging & MRI, LCC (amicus for Appellant, where she performed oral argument) – Successfully established that Sword v. NKC Hospitals applies to non-hospital healthcare provider entities. 183 N.E.3d 1064 (Ind. 2022).
• Bojko v. Anonymous (amicus for Appellant) – Successfully argued that a trial court does not have the authority to act as a gatekeeper for what a party can include in its Medical Review Panel submission. 232 N.E.3d 1155 (Ind. 2024).
• Abbas MD et al v. Hetep Bilal (amicus for Appellant, where she performed oral argument on January 23, 2025) – argued that (1) the rule that if a trial court correctly instructs the jury on causation, it has complete discretion on whether to instruct on intervening cause extends to contributory negligence cases, and (2) a plaintiff’s own post-malpractice conduct cannot be an intervening cause. Waiting for the Court’s decision.
Significant other case:
• WEOC, Inc. v. Niebauer (attorney for appellee, briefed the matter and performed the oral argument) – Successfully argued that the Dram Shop Act did not eliminate a dram shop’s independent common-law duty) 226 N.E.3d 771 (Ind. 2024)
But Sara’s impact goes far beyond appellate advocacy. She’s a natural leader and mentor, always willing to share her knowledge with others. She’s spoken at ITLA events numerous times, offering valuable insights to fellow attorneys and helping strengthen our legal community.
Outside of the courtroom, Sara’s dedication to advocacy is just as strong. While at Maurer, she served as President of the IU Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, working to promote education and legal protections for animal rights. She’s also a lifelong equestrian, competing in Eventing (horse trials) and balancing the intense demands of legal practice with the same discipline and perseverance she brings to every aspect of her life.
Sara is admitted to practice in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and she remains an engaged and respected member of the legal community in Valparaiso. Her sharp legal mind, tireless work ethic, and commitment to ITLA and the profession as a whole make her an outstanding candidate for this award.
Simply put, Sara is the kind of lawyer you want on your side—whether as a colleague, mentor, or advocate. I wholeheartedly support her nomination and know she will continue help raise tide for all of us and make a lasting impact on the legal field for years to come.