Paul Conrad Sweeney

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...

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...

Jeff focuses on representing high-growth, venture-backed technology companies, start-up commercialization, private equity and venture capital finance, and mergers and acquisitions. In particular, he advises growth stage companies on legal and business matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, commercial contracts, raising capital, strategic collaborations, licensing technologies and acquisitions. He is a member of the firm's Corporate and Transactional Practice Group.

Joseph G. Eaton is a partner in the Indianapolis office of Barnes & Thornburg and co-chair of the firm's Toxic Tort Practice Group. Product Liability: Toxic Tort, Chemical Product Liability and Environmental Litigation Joseph has represented clients in litigated matters throughout the United States involving chemical product liability actions, including plaintiffs' personal injury and property damage litigation relating to alleged toxic products. He presently assists several national defe...

James R. A. Dawson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate and Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law. James R. A., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James R. A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

An experienced trial lawyer who defends employers of all sizes in a range of industries, including defense, food, and trucking companies, against unsubstantiated accusations, Rick’s litigation practice takes him to courts throughout the U.S. He litigates a wide range of employment matters, including discrimination and harassment; Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); breach of contract; golden parachute agreements; wage and hour laws (exemptions, overtime, commissions, etc.); wrongful te...

William C. Wagner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Insurance Law, Litigation - Environmental and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. William C., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice...

Alan L. McLaughlin represents public and private employers in a broad range of employment-related disputes at the administrative, state and federal levels, including before the United States Supreme Court and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He has substantial experience in: Discrimination actions Class actions Wage and hour collective actions Arbitrations Emergency proceedings involving non-compete agreements, trade secrets, business torts and contracts He has participated in hun...

Christina Mallatt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christina, 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 Christina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen T. Ramey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Stephen T., 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 Stephen T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.