Brett E. Nelson

Our litigation team is well known for its successful appellate work. Our appellate practice has helped to shape the law in many areas, including environmental law and insurance coverage.

Our emphasis on thorough and persuasive written work product and effective oral advocacy has secured numerous favorable opinions for our clients. Our attorneys are familiar with all aspects of litigation in state and federal appellate courts and are ready help whether or not we were counsel in the underlying litigation.

Key Appellate Experience

• Lindsey v. DeGroot, 898 N.E.2d 1251 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009) (Determined Indiana’s Right to Farm Act was constitutional and applied to bar the nuisance claim of a neighbor against DeGroot Dairy).
• The Sierra Club v. Gates, 499 F. Supp. 2d 1101 (S.D. Ind. 2007) (successfully defended action which sought to enjoin continuing shipments of the product of the hydrolosis of the chemical warfare agent VX from a depot in Indiana to Veolia Environmental Service’s incineration facility in Texas)
• Pound v. Airosol Co., Inc., 316 F.Supp.2d 1079 (D. Kan. 2004) and 498 F.3D 1089 (10th Cir. 2007) (obtained summary judgment holding competitor’s product, which contained ozone-depleting substances violated the Clean Air Act and establishing a competitor’s right in the Tenth Circuit to recover attorney fees in bringing a successful citizen’s suit under the Clean Air Act)
• Raybestos Prods. Co. v. Indiana Dept. Envtl. Mgmt., Cause No. 49Dl2-0209-PL-001553 (Marion County Superior Court—summary judgment July 6, 2004, June 12, 2006 judgment ($11.6 million) & October 30, 2006 ($4.7 million), (obtained a $16 million judgment against the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for reneging on an agreed order for a risk-based PCB cleanup, reversed on appeal)
• Port Comm’n v. Consolidated Grain & Barge Co., 701 N.E.2d 882 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998) (preliminary injunction regarding use of rail and port facilities)
• Natural Gas Odorizing, Inc. v. Downs, 685 N.E.2d 155 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997) (duty to warn gas users)
• Town of Montezuma v. Downs, 685 N.E.2d 108 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997) (negligence per se claims involving a gas explosion)

In 1988, our founders created a different kind of law firm. A law firm where attorneys provide high quality, cost-effective legal work with creative, innovative solutions to clients’ complex matters. A law firm on the cutting edge of the law that emphasizes legal knowledge and innovation. A law firm that takes on hard cases because it values shaping the law. A law firm committed to helping businesses, large and small, thrive.

Originally founded as an environmental boutique law firm offering full-service environmental counselling and complex litigation services, our work has organically grown into one of the largest policyholder insurance coverage practices in the Midwest. Today, our breadth and depth of experience and technical knowledge allow us to handle complex issues and everyday client matters in sectors of manufacturing, energy, technology, life sciences, petroleum and energy, health care and waste services. Our attorneys are entrepreneurial, purpose driven, and committed to working with clients in all stages of their business growth or succession planning.

Our attorneys are committed to finding creative, cost-effective solutions that will deliver the best outcomes for our clients. Our firm culture encourages collaboration and respect among colleagues. We embrace a team approach to help shape winning strategies.