23 Lewis Wagner & Trimble Attorneys Selected as 2025 Best Lawyers in America
We are honored that for the past 20+ years, Lewis Wagner & Trimble attorneys have consistently been recognized among the Best Lawyers in America, chosen through peer selection for their leadership within their respective practice areas. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate 23 colleagues who have been announced in the 2025 edition. The Best […]
Indiana Court of Appeals Affirms Declaratory Judgment That Permissive User of Automobile Who Lacked a Valid Driver’s License, Was Excluded From Liability Coverage Under the Owner’s Auto Policy
Wiley v. United Farm Family Mut. Ins. Co. Citation 2024 WL 335248 (Ind. Ct. App. 2024) The owner of a vehicle granted permission to Howard to operate her vehicle, and he was involved in an accident with Wiley. At the time of the accident, Howard did not have a valid driver’s license. Howard sought insurance […]
Important Update: Indiana Seat Belt Law Effective July 1, 2024
Buckle Up, Indiana Drivers and Insurers: New Seat Belt Law Now in Effect Indiana drivers and insurers, take note—there’s a new seat belt law that could impact future accident claims. Governor Holcomb recently signed into law House Enrolled Act No. 1090, which officially took effect on July 1, 2024. This law is applicable to all […]
Indiana Supreme Court Reverses Directed Verdict for Insurer on Breach of Contract and Bad Faith Claims
Cosme v. Clark 2024 WL 1987694 (Ind. 2024) Last month, the Indiana Supreme Court issued a decision holding that, “at the directed-verdict stage, the court can review whether inferences from the evidence are reasonable, but it cannot weigh conflicting evidence or assess witness credibility.” This newsletter discusses the Court’s decision only as it relates to […]
Lewis Wagner & Trimble Welcomes Two New Attorneys
Lewis Wagner & Trimble is thrilled to welcome two new attorneys to our litigation practice groups. Michael R. Watkins joins as an associate specializing in labor and employment litigation, with a primary focus on complex tort and professional liability. A graduate of the University of Toledo, Michael holds degrees from both Cleveland State University’s College […]
Indiana Court of Appeals Applies “Dishonest Act” and “Unexplained Disappearance” Exclusions in Employer’s Claim That Former Employee Stole Missing Tools
Williams v. Pekin Ins., Inc. 2024 WL 901885 (Ind. Ct. App. 2024) A contractor entrusted tools to its employee but demanded their return when his employment ended. When the employee failed to do so, the contractor reported the tools as stolen and sued the former employee for replevin. The former employee returned some tools, but […]
Court of Appeals Affirms Judgment for Insurer That COVID-19 Caused No Direct Physical Loss or Damage to College Campus
Trustees of Purdue Univ. v. Am. Home Assurance Co. 2024 WL 822503 (Ind. Ct. App. 2024) Does an insurance policy that covers “all risks of direct physical loss” to property provide broader coverage than a policy that only covers “direct physical loss” to property? The Indiana Court of Appeals recently answered that question in the […]
Dina M. Cox Named Managing Partner of Lewis Wagner & Trimble
Lewis Wagner & Trimble is pleased to announce the election of Dina M. Cox as Managing Partner. This will be Dina’s second term, having previously served in 2018 and 2019, when she became the firm’s first female in the position. In her renewed capacity, she will lead the firm’s Executive Committee, tasked with guiding strategic […]
Getting Attorney Fees in Will Contests and Contested Guardianships
It’s always surprised me that we decided to depart from the English Rule where the losing party pays the winner’s fees, given how competitive we are as a society. For clients, the American Rule requiring each party to pay their own attorney fees, regardless of who wins a case, can make a win feel like […]
26 Lewis Wagner & Trimble Attorneys Named to 2024 Indiana Super Lawyers List
We are proud to acknowledge the recognition of 26 of our attorneys in the 2024 Indiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Those honored in the annual Super Lawyers list represent Indiana’s top 5% of legal professionals, determined through a comprehensive selection process involving peer evaluation and professional achievement. The Rising Stars list follows the […]
