Robert is among the Midwest’s most respected trial lawyers—having tried more than 200 cases in courtrooms across the United States throughout his 50+ years of legal service.
His trial work has included highly complex litigation in the areas of auto and premises liability, commercial litigation, insurance defense, premises liability, products liability, and wrongful death. He has also mediated numerous complex legal issues throughout his career.
Robert has earned the respect of his legal colleagues and opposing counsel, as well as that of the Judiciary before whom he regularly appears in trial. He is known for his commitment to diversity—becoming part of one of the first racially-integrated law firms in the state in the 1970s. Among his numerous local, regional, and national honors, Robert was presented with the Indiana State Bar Association’s Rabb Emison Award in 2006.
In 2015, he received the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award. He was also named as one of Indiana’s top 15 “Distinguished Barristers of 2008” by The Indiana Lawyer and was named an Indiana Super Lawyer® each year from 2004-2021. Nationally, Robert was recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, from 2005-2021 in the fields of Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
Robert is a frequent lecturer on a wide range of continuing legal education topics and is a long-term faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) and has been involved for years in teaching trial advocacy with the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum.
Robert has had a great impact on the legal community and the firm, contributing significantly to the areas of politics and community service. Robert has run numerous political campaigns in the state and Marion County, including for U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Governor, and several judgeships. He has also managed numerous candidates at state conventions.
Robert’s impact upon the people of Indiana has even been noted at the highest levels of our State government. In 1989, Robert received Indiana’s highest honor, the “Sagamore of the Wabash” from then-Governor Evan Bayh.
He was instrumental in planning, fundraising, and implementing various programs intended to beautify, enrich, and comprehensively improve the Indianapolis community, particularly the within the Indianapolis city center. In the mid-1990’s, Robert spearheaded efforts to plant hundreds of trees along West Street and received an award for Outstanding Individual for Urban Forestry for his dedication and commitment to Indiana's urban forests. He has served as Chair or Vice Chair of the White River State Park Development Commission since 1995. Today, he continues contributing and raising significant funds and making investments into the community’s horticulture.
Robert is among the Midwest’s most respected trial lawyers—having tried more than 200 cases in courtrooms across the United States throughout his 50+ years of legal service.
His trial work has included highly complex litigation in the areas of auto and premises liability, commercial litigation, insurance defense, premises liability, products liability, and wrongful death. He has also mediated numerous complex legal issues throughout his career.
Robert has earned the respect of his legal colleagues and opposing counsel, as well as that of the Judiciary before whom he regularly appears in trial. He is known for his commitment to diversity—becoming part of one of the first racially-integrated law firms in the state in the 1970s. Among his numerous local, regional, and national honors, Robert was presented with the Indiana State Bar Association’s Rabb Emison Award in 2006.
In 2015, he received the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award. He was also named as one of Indiana’s top 15 “Distinguished Barristers of 2008” by The Indiana Lawyer and was named an Indiana Super Lawyer® each year from 2004-2021. Nationally, Robert was recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, from 2005-2021 in the fields of Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
Robert is a frequent lecturer on a wide range of continuing legal education topics and is a long-term faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) and has been involved for years in teaching trial advocacy with the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum.
Robert has had a great impact on the legal community and the firm, contributing significantly to the areas of politics and community service. Robert has run numerous political campaigns in the state and Marion County, including for U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Governor, and several judgeships. He has also managed numerous candidates at state conventions.
Robert’s impact upon the people of Indiana has even been noted at the highest levels of our State government. In 1989, Robert received Indiana’s highest honor, the “Sagamore of the Wabash” from then-Governor Evan Bayh.
He was instrumental in planning, fundraising, and implementing various programs intended to beautify, enrich, and comprehensively improve the Indianapolis community, particularly the within the Indianapolis city center. In the mid-1990’s, Robert spearheaded efforts to plant hundreds of trees along West Street and received an award for Outstanding Individual for Urban Forestry for his dedication and commitment to Indiana's urban forests. He has served as Chair or Vice Chair of the White River State Park Development Commission since 1995. Today, he continues contributing and raising significant funds and making investments into the community’s horticulture.
Accolades
Affiliations and Activities
Since 1955, the attorneys of Lewis Wagner have provided pro-active counsel for individuals, small businesses, governmental agencies and Fortune 500 companies. We believe that the legal industry is a client-service business, and our success is measured by exceeding the expectations of our clients.
