Heather R. James

Jayna M. Cacioppo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Jayna M., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jayna M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Samuel E. Swafford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Samuel E., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Samuel E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Griggs represents clients’ interests in legal actions concerning environmental matters brought by private parties and government agencies. He practices before administrative agencies, in state and federal trial courts, and in appellate tribunals. Mr. Griggs' litigation practice includes defense and prosecution of cases arising under federal and state environmental statutes, toxic tort cases, CERCLA and UST disputes, civil penalty proceedings, appellate practice, and FIFRA arbitration proc...

Eric Schmadeke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Eric, who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark E. Schmidtke represents clients in ERISA and Non-ERISA employee benefits matters in state and federal courts throughout the United States for nearly 30 years. He has been lead or co-lead counsel in ERISA litigation matters pending in the courts of 49 states. He has argued appeals in the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, as well as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Minnesota Suprem...

Lauren represents investor-owned and municipal utilities before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), as well as public and private-sector clients in dealings with state government agencies. Lauren's experience includes general rate cases, periodic rate adjustment (tracker) proceedings, certificate of public convenience and necessity cases, preapprovals, financings, acquisitions, disputes, investigations, rulemakings and service area-related cases. In addition, Lauren represents a...

Dennis Johnson practices in the areas of real estate finance and development, serving as counsel on large, multistate transactions. He represents lenders in syndicated construction and term loans, counseling them in their capacities as administrative agent and co-lender. Dennis also works with lenders in the negotiation of participation agreements. For more than three decades, Dennis has represented construction and permanent real estate lenders, commercial real estate developers, developers ...

Will Gardner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Will, who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Will is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill represents clients in all phases of intellectual property litigation, including actions filed throughout the United States. His litigation experience includes matters involving software, electrical, mechanical arts, computer telephony, complex electrical circuitry, robotic navigation, aviation tracking, medical monitoring, and mobile devices. Bill also advises clients on the procurement and strategic development of trademark and patent portfolios for technology startup companies, and ass...

Erick Ponader is a member of the firm's Business group and received his undergraduate degree in chemistry and biology and his J.D. from Indiana University-Bloomington. He represents clients in commercial law and real estate development, acquisition, sale, leasing and financing. Mr. Ponader also advises and represents life science companies in all aspects from start-up forward, including entity structure and formation, financing and operations. He has extensive experience in the sale and purch...