Our Legal Team
	Todd Richardson Director email | bio
	Bette Dodd Director email | bio
	Joseph P. Rompala Associate email | bio

Appeals

Trial advocacy is only one component in the provision of effective litigation services. Lewis & Kappes also represents clients in appellate proceedings, challenging or defending trial court judgments and administrative rulings. Success on appeal calls for a different set of skills than at the trial level, with a premium on careful research and a persuasive written presentation. We have the experience and perspective to handle matters before both state and federal appellate tribunals. Appellate advocacy complements our representation in virtually every area of the firm's practice, including:

Business litigation
Commercial litigation
Utility regulation
Intellectual property
Family law
Personal injury cases
Civil rights claims
Employment disputes
Insurance matters
Land use and zoning
Securities litigation

Lewis & Kappes has represented clients in a number of precedent-setting appeals. We persuaded the Indiana Court of Appeals to strike down unconstitutional legislation designed to benefit an in-state industry to the detriment of economical utility rates. We successfully advocated a broad reading of the Wrongful Death Act to preserve the claims of an elderly client who died while the case was pending. We turned the grant of summary judgment against our client on a contract claim into a grant of summary judgment in favor of the client. We vindicated a client's ability to distribute electricity privately within its operations without regulatory interference.