Business Litigation

Environmental Law

Patent Litigation

• Indiana

• U.S. Supreme Court
• Indiana Supreme Court
• U.S. District (Northern and Southern)
• 7th District Court of Appeals

• Indiana University School of Law, J.D., 1979
• • Indiana Law Review, Associate Editor
    
  • 
    University of Indianapolis, B.S., 1976, cum laude

Patricia concentrates her practice in business, complex litigation and environmental matters. Patricia represents a wide range of clients, including corporations, sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, not-for-profit entities, health care providers and financial institutions. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers® (2009-2010) and by Indiana Super Lawyers® in Business Litigation (2004-2011).

Experience

Corporate Litigation

• Represented 501(c)(3) not for profit entities in issues involving governance and donations.
• Represented Fortune 500 company in alleged breach of contract issues involving wireless communication systems and equipment.
• Represented Indiana corporation in alleged patent infringement litigation involving catalytic converting coating process.
• Represented financial institutions in actions involving alleged Truth in Lending violations and fraud.
• Has litigated on behalf of clients in numerous reported cases as well as unreported cases and jury trials before U.S. District Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals and State courts.

Director and Officer Liability

• Represented officers and directors of a health care insurance company in a case brought against them by the Indiana Department of Insurance for breach of fiduciary duties and malfeasance
• Represented officers and directors of a Multi-Employer Welfare Benefit Plan (MEWA) in case brought against them by the Indiana Department of Insurance for breach of fiduciary duties and malfeasance.

Environmental

• Represented various entities in environmental matters including actions before administrative agencies such as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and in Superfund litigation in Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey and Tennessee.
• Represented numerous petroleum operators and dry cleaners in remediation activities within the State of Indiana.
• Represented companies in acquiring property and in Brownfields applications.

• The Best Lawyers in America® Commercial Litigation; Litigation- Banking & Finance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, 2009-2012
• Selected for inclusion in Indiana Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation, 2004-2012
• The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, 2011
• Top 25 Female Indiana Super Lawyers®, 2006-2007
• Distinguished Barrister, Indiana Lawyer, 2006
• Indianapolis Bar Foundation, Distinguished Fellow, 1995
• One of the Most Influential Women in Indianapolis, Indianapolis Business Journal, 1999
• International Who’s Who of Professionals, 1996
• National Registry of Who’s Who, Life Member
• Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, Graduate
• National Institute for Trial Advocacy Advanced Litigation Series, Graduate
• Sagamore Inn of Court, 2007-2011

• American Bar Association
• Indiana State Bar Association, Environmental Section; Healthcare and Medical Section; Litigation Section
• Indianapolis Bar Association, Environmental Section, former Chair
• Seventh Circuit Bar Association, Past President
• Defense Research Institute
• Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana, Indiana Civil Litigation Review, Board of Editors; Business Litigation Section, Executive Committee
• International Association of Defense Counsel, Intellectual Property Subcommittee
• Indiana University School of Law, Honorable Cale J. Holder Scholarship Committee, Chair

• Money Laundering And Its Implication As To Financial Institutions
• New Accounting Rules Will Impact Bank's Classification Of Troubled Loans
• Advisory To Financial Institutions On Filing Suspicious Activity Reports Regarding Elder Financial Exploitation
• Trustee Recovers In Fair Financial Case
• New Rule Adopted As Of January 30, 2010 For The Bank Secrecy Act By The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
• Indiana Court of Appeals Holds That Claim Under The Fair Credit Reporting Act Survives Bankruptcy And Must Be Arbitrated

Past

• Indianapolis Regional Board of the Franciscan Alliance Foundtion, St. Francis Health, Secretary
• Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Healthcare and Environmental Committees
• University of Indianapolis, Board of Directors
• City of Indianapolis, Audit Committee for the Administration and Finance Committee
• Indianapolis Kiwanis Club, President (2011-2012)

"Non-Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations," presented at the 75th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association, February 2009

Speaker and Panelist: 

"Women's Leadership Conference:  Connect-Mentor-Inspire," Integrating Women Leaders, Inc., August 2011

"Applying the Rules of Evidence:  What Every Attorney Needs to Know," NBI, August 2011

"Representing Your Client in Federal Courts,"  NBI, October 2010

“Business Valuation Litigation - Utilizing Expert Witnesses,” Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana, September 2008

“Tackling Critical Insurance Coverage and Litigation Issues in Indiana,” National Business Institute, 2007-2009

"Fundamentals of Hazardous Waste Law," NBI seminar, December 2007

"D & O Liability in a Softening Marketplace," 2nd Annual Executive Liability Panel Discussion, Panelist, October 2007

“Points for the Adjuster to Consider When Being Deposed,” Harmonie Group Meeting, 2007

“Hot Topics in Civil Law and Procedures,” Seventh Circuit Bar Association and Judicial Conference, Panel Participant, 2006

"Health Care: a State and Federal Perspective," seminar chair, 2004

"Nursing Home Litigation in Indiana," Lorman Education Services, 2003

"Nursing Home Malpractice in Indiana: Successful Case Management from Investigation to Trial," National Business Institute, 2002

“So You Have a Chemical Spill or Release - Now What?,” National Communication Association, Environmental Division, 2002

Contact with Employees by Opposing Counsel," Seventh Circuit Bar Association and Chair for Judicial Conference, 2001

"The Role of Medical Records and Personnel in Indiana Civil Litigation," National Business Institute, 2000

"Long Term Care and Nursing Home Litigation in the State of Indiana, presenter, Indiana Continuing Education Seminar, Ixtapa, Mexico, 1999

FBT Banking Law Articles:

Bankruptcy, April 2011

Advisory to Financial Institutions on Filing Suspicious Activity Reports Regarding Elder Financial Exploitation, April 2011

New Rule Adopted as of January 30, 2010 for the Bank Secrecy Act by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, December 2010

Indiana Court of Appeals Holds That Claim Under The Fair Credit Reporting Act Survives Bankruptcy and Must Be Arbitrated, August 2010

New Accounting Rules Will Impact Bank's Classification of Troubled Loans