Kara Kapke

Kara Kapke

Indianapolis, IN recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013
Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Biography

Litigator and regulatory counselor Kara Kapke advises on issues involving autonomous vehicle technology, transportation policy, education, tax policy, First Amendment law, and other compliance and regulatory matters. She also offers diverse experience in defending schools, chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, media outlets and other entities in complex litigation.

Kara functions as outside general counsel for government agencies, schools and businesses of all sizes and involved in every phase of development. Kara’s ability to analyze a high level of detail and streamline sophisticated concepts into comprehensive strategy and workable solutions is at the heart of her dedication to serving as a trusted adviser.

Highly analytical, practical and focused, Kara’s legal acumen is complimented by her people skills and the immediate ease of communication she creates when serving on diverse client teams. Always direct and objective when assessing client strengths and weaknesses, Kara gets to the point quickly and is valued for her candor and intellectual acuity when faced with difficult challenges.

An active listener, balanced negotiator, and fervent advocate in and out of court, Kara mitigates problems and ultimately keeps client matters on track when and where it is needed most. Kara understands how institutional organizations and businesses operate and what drives their decision-making processes. She provides much-needed perspective and insight into identifying distinct objectives and then realizing tangible goals.

A former television journalist in Indiana, Texas and Pennsylvania, Kara works with colleagues and experts to simplify legal, scientific and medical jargon so it is more easily understood.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Overview

  • Duke University, J.D., graduated 2005
  • Duke University, J.D., graduated 2005
  • Indiana University Bloomington, B.A.J., graduated 1998

  • Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association
  • Duke University, J.D., graduated 2005
  • Duke University, J.D., graduated 2005
  • Indiana University Bloomington, B.A.J., graduated 1998
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Transportation Law
Awards:
  • Indiana Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2010-2012, 2014-2018
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2013-2019

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