Key Insights into the Indianapolis Legal Market

Legal services offered by Indiana law firms run the gamut from family law, personal injury, and criminal defense to intellectual property, business law, and other areas. Due to the active economy in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, the business law sector is particularly strong, whereas criminal defense lawyers focus on such common Indiana offenses as operating while intoxicated (OWI), drug-related crimes, sex crimes, theft, and violent crimes . Legal services in Indianapolis are characterized by a number of factors. For one, the Indianapolis area has seen healthy population growth as well as a surge in both new businesses and experienced companies that have expanded to occupy or construct new commercial spaces throughout the area. Additionally, supply and demand for legal services in Indianapolis favor a number of practice areas, such as intellectual property, estate planning and administration, business law, employment law, litigation, and real estate.

How We Ranked the Largest Law Firms

When attempting to identify the largest law firms in any market, including Indianapolis, criteria used to determine "size" must be consistent. In evaluating size, the number of attorneys, number of legal specialties, the revenue generated and the awards and rankings are all considered. In identifying the biggest law firms in Indianapolis, the existence of multiple offices, size of attorneys, specialties and revenue without distinction does not make a firm a big law firm. Overlapping office locations do not count such that the office is counted multiple times. The depth of specialties and practice groups is an important indicator of size. For example, a firm has four or five offices and 50 attorneys but has the same specialties in each office and the sophistication and depth of those specialties is limited, such that they have no or limited distinction from one another, similarly sized firms would exist. As a regional law firm, size is measured on this basis as opposed to measuring revenues alone.

Narrowing Down the Top Law Firms in Indianapolis

Each of these law firms has been a pioneer in expanding the scope and depth of legal services offered in Indianapolis. These profiles serve as brief introductions, and are not intended to be comprehensive.
Ice Miller
Founded in 1910 as a four-lawyer firm, Ice Miller has over 240 lawyers today. Ice Miller has about 40 practice areas and offices in Indianapolis, Chicago, Ohio and Washington, DC. Practice groups include bankruptcy, education, employee benefits, environmental, government relations, higher education, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, real estate and securities regulation and finance. Notable clients include Cummins, Cummins-Allison, Eli Lilly and Company, General Motors, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Navistar International Trucks and the Indiana Sports Corporation. Awards and rankings include chambers USA, Best Lawyers, US News and World Report, and Martindale-Hubbell.
Baker & Daniels
Baker & Daniels’ origins trace back to Indianapolis law firms founded by Elias Baker, William A. Daily and H.C. Daniels in the late 1800s. Today, with more than 400 lawyers and 12 offices in Indiana, Illinois, Florida and Washington, DC, the firm offers over 60 practice areas. Notable practices include antitrust, energy and sustainability, health care, immigration, labor and employment, litigation, real estate and tax. Notable clients include Cummins, Cummins Allison, Eli Lilly, General Motors, Indiana University, the Indiana Sports Corporation and Navistar International Trucks. Awards and rankings include Best Lawyers, US News and World Report and Martindale-Hubbell.
Bingham McHale
Bingham McHale – the product of two of Indiana’s oldest law firms (Cronk, Buechting & Roberts founded in 1868 and Bingham, McHale, O’Donnell & McBreen founded in 1867) – has over 120 attorneys in its Indianapolis, Jeffersonville and Lafayette offices. Bingham’s services include corporate, employment, environmental, finance and real estate, health and medical, intellectual property, litigation and taxation. Notable clients include the American Institute of Steel Construction, Anthem, Ball Corporation, Cummins, Cummins-Allison, Eli Lilly and Company, General Motors, Indiana University, the Indiana Sports Corporation and Navistar International Trucks. Awards and rankings include chambers USA, Best Lawyers, US News and World Report and Martindale-Hubbell.
Kirkland & Ellis
The Chicago-based Kirkland & Ellis has an Indianapolis office of 20 lawyers focused on local client needs. The firm has more than 1,000 attorneys in offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Its services include tax, intellectual property, disputes and investigations, corporate and litigation. Notable clients include American Tire Distributors, Boscov’s, Cott Beverages, DealerTrack Technologies and United Grain.
Faegre Baker Daniels
The Indianapolis office of Faegre Baker Daniels is part of the firm’s 600-member team in 11 offices in nine cities across six states and London. Faegre Baker Daniels provides more than 70 practice areas, including antitrust, banking and finance, construction, employment, environmental, IP, litigation, real estate and tax. Notable clients include Beck’s Hybrids, Cummins, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LexisNexis and Zimmer. Awards and ranking include chambers USA, Best Lawyers, US News & World Report and Martindale-Hubbell.
Kightlinger & Gray
Founded in 1948, Kightlinger & Gray is an Indianapolis firm with 48 lawyers and growing. The firm’s services include commercial and tort litigation, insurance, medical malpractice, employment and labor, school law, intellectual property, tax and bankruptcy. Notable clients include Cummins, Cummins-Allison, Eli Lilly, General Motors, the Indiana Sports Corporation, United Health Group and Wells Fargo Insurance Services. Awards and rankings include Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers, chambers USA and Martindale-Hubbell.

Firm Size and Areas of Expertise Comparison

The physical size of the firm like Frost, Brown, Todd, Shadynoc and Lewis Wagner can be a telling sign of the services and specialties they offer. Generally speaking, larger law firms employ attorneys with a wide range of expertise and provide a broad array of legal services. For example, Frost, Brown, Todd has more than 525 attorneys and does business in several major cities. The Indiana Lawyers website explains that Frost, Brown, Todd exclusively serves clients in a variety of industries, including construction, education, energy, health care, government and public entities, insurance, manufacturing, retail, safety and risk management, technology, telecommunications, to name a few.
Shadynoc & Lewis, on the other hand, offers a much smaller boutique-like experience. Shadynoc & Lewis currently employs just two attorneys. Its principle areas of practice include business, employment law, health care and litigation.
Small law firms do not always mean niche practices. McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland, PLLC offers a wide range of services and has three offices. The firm represents clients throughout 13 states. The firm places an emphasis on being practical in its approach and using innovative legal strategies to meet the needs of its diverse clients.
A full-service and international firm like Squire Patton Boggs works in more than 20 countries with more than 1,500 attorneys. Squire Patton Boggs offers a full range of legal services and has teams specializing in areas including energy, immigration and global trade, and intellectual property.

Legal Service Trends in Indianapolis

An undercurrent of change is sweeping through the legal industry that will reshape the way law is practiced here in Indianapolis. Like many midsized cities in the United States, Indianapolis law firms are adopting a more modern approach. They’re staying up to date with the competition and valuing the tools that add to their talent. In Indianapolis, technology is perhaps the biggest change currently driving the market, and many firms are considering how they can leverage their IT assets to improve efficiency.
New practice areas have become the new normal due to the changing needs of corporations and entrepreneurs . Several law firms now have dedicated intellectual property partner, or offer business law, dispute resolution, and employment law to help fill the void.
For the past several years, many small to midsized law firms around the U.S. are raising their value standards. That means clients are getting more for less. For example, many law firms are offering these services at an hourly rate: The push toward flatter pricing is making it harder for large law firms to compete with innovative and agile legal services group.
These changes signal a more competitive era for Indianapolis law firms. The firms staying current and growing their practices will be the ones that remain profitable and viable in future.

Client Feedback and Case Examples

The importance of client feedback and case studies cannot be overstated. Not only do they provide insight into the level of service that clients can expect, but they also give a glimpse into the kinds of challenges that law firms are equipped to handle. Testimonials from satisfied clients and detailed case studies of landmark cases can paint a telling picture of a law firm’s strengths and specialties.
Let’s look at a few examples. Faegre Baker Daniels, for instance, has been lauded by its clients for its dedication to service. In reviews, past and present clients commented on the firm’s responsiveness and willingness to invest time into their cases. Many reviews emphasize the advocacy commitment of Faegre’s lawyers and their ability to make a difference to clients in times of need. Satisfied clients across industries laud Faegre’s ability to assemble a winning team. One client who reviewed Faegre on LawCrossing noted, "They were able to put a team of lawyers together to support my business during a very difficult time." Another client noted that "Faegre Baker Daniels is among the most sophisticated law firms I have worked with in my career…they know how to win, and do not settle for less." Faegre’s clients appreciate the firm’s lawyers’ candor and knowledge of the law. They appreciate that Faegre "stands behind their clients" in difficult situations. Clients consented that the attorneys provided "excellent representation" and were "responsive to client needs." Considered one of the best law firms in the country, Burr & Forman has received rave reviews for its attorneys’ speed and attention to detail. Past and present clients have commented that the lawyers provided "great advice under pressure" and "top notch responsiveness." One client noted that Burr & Forman has "excellent practice management" while another simply said, "Great Service." Clients have also appreciated that the firm is straightforward and realistic. Clients have said that Burr & Forman is one of the "best law firms around" and "simply the best." Most agree that Burr & Forman is "extremely efficient [and] customer-driven." One client said that their "overall experience was very good" and that "more resources and hours are applied, resulting in a better overall experience." Two other clients noted that the attorneys were "very good lawyers" who provided "excellent legal services."
Like Faegre Baker Daniels and Burr & Forman, BakerHostetler has gotten positive online feedback from its clients. One client said that the firm does "wonderful work" while another stated that the lawyers are "very bright." One client praised BakerHostetler for its "excellent service and knowledge" while another noted that the firm has "very strong partners." Clients have also commented that the lawyers are "very knowledgeable."
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw & Pittman is another well-respected law firm that has received positive client reviews. Overall, clients have commended the firm’s "high level of service" and "personal attention." A client evaluated the firm as having a "frequent and desirable communication."
Clients of Duane Morris have similarly praised the firm. Several clients have noted that the attorneys at the firm are "very competent" and "very hard-working." A former client also commended the firm for its "excellent response time." Like many other top law firms, Duane Morris was also praised for its professionalism and knowledge.

Determining the Ideal Law Firm for Your Needs

Choosing an appropriate law firm in Indianapolis can be a daunting task. With the multitude of options available, it’s important to take the time to find the right fit for your specific legal needs. Consideration should be given to the area of law in which you require assistance. Some firms specialize in certain sectors, and having the expertise from the outset can be beneficial.
It’s also critical to evaluate what resources the firm has available . Larger firms may offer more manpower when it comes to handling your case, while smaller firms may offer one-on-one contact that’s more appealing to some clients. Additionally, think about what is most important to you. Do you need a quick resolution, or is the quality of representation your priority? Do not underestimate the benefit of good counsel at the beginning of the process.
After narrowing down your search, meet with your potential lawyers. It’s important to know who you are hiring, and after spending time together, both you and the lawyer can decide if you are a good match.