STUART & BRANIGIN - Key Persons
As general counsel, Tony was instrumental in the development and oversight of Purdue's outsourced legal team during a period of rapid growth for the university. Key areas of focus included human resource and employment issues, construction-related activities, environmental compliance, and litigation. In his of counsel role, Tony continued to provide counsel on select matters, including environmental and regulatory compliance, and bond financings.
Tony has been repeatedly selected to Best Lawyers in America lists and has been elected fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Indiana Bar Foundation. He is a proud veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Litigation Group
- Partner / Transportation Group Chair
Barry believes the best litigation counsel hinges not only on clear insight into the core issues but also on powerful advocacy. For more than 18 years, Barry has been committed to delivering both. Today, a diverse range of clients, including major transportation companies, universities, and regional business owners turn to him to resolve difficult disputes and provide sound counsel on policy and planning matters.
An accomplished general litigator, Barry has particular background in transportation law disputes. Selected to the Indiana Best Lawyers in America list in the field of railroad law, Barry has extensive experience defending major railroad businesses in toxic exposure claims related to asbestos, herbicides, silica, diesel exhaust and chemical solvents. This work includes representing clients in state and federal court, mediation proceedings, and private negotiations, and consulting on discovery and investigations in toxic exposure cases across the country.
Barry also defends trucking companies in tort matters related to injury and property damage. Although he typically resolves disputes before they go to trial, he has successfully tried transportation cases to verdict as a first-chair lawyer, and has prevailed on summary judgment in state and federal courts numerous times.
His experience beyond transportation litigation includes more than a decade representing Midwest universities, including Purdue. He provides guidance on constitutional law as it pertains to university policy and practices, and defense in tort matters involving recreation, equine, and animal law. Barry also contributes to the firm's work in medical malpractice defense, and represents individuals, families and fiduciaries in highly contested estate matters.
Railroad companies have trusted David to represent them in state and federal court litigation for more than 25 years. Recently selected to the Best Lawyers in America list in the field of railroad law, he is committed to advocating on behalf of railroad clients on matters in Indiana and beyond.
David began his career handling a wide range of litigation; within a few years, the majority of his practice was dedicated to representing national, regional, and short-line railroads in motion practice, mediations, trials, and public projects.
His litigation work on behalf of freight and passenger railroads centers on defending against injury and wrongful death claims related to grade crossing accidents, workplace incidents, trespasser occurrences, and other disputes. He acts as Indiana state counsel for a Class I railroad in these types of cases, and handles similar litigation for other carriers operating in Indiana and in Illinois. A long-standing partner to his clients, David takes pride in working effectively with in-house attorneys, claims representatives, and operations personnel to deliver strong outcomes.
Railroad companies have trusted David to represent them in state and federal court litigation for more than 25 years.
His work on public projects in Indiana includes representation in matters related to changes and upgrades at grade crossings. In this capacity, he liaises with state and county officials, files petitions, appears at public hearings, and meets with community stakeholders.
David balances his strong commitment to clients with a lifelong passion for motorsports. Before becoming an attorney, he competed in the Can-Am Challenge Cup series. In recent years, he has returned to the race track in the Sports Car Club of America's road racing program. He has also served his community in a variety of roles for the Lafayette Christian School.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Business Services Group
David has been a trusted hand to Stuart & Branigin clients for nearly 25 years. Originally a litigator for the firm, David has evolved his practice in recent years to meet the changing needs of his clients, focusing on providing outside general counsel to businesses and nonprofits, and guiding individuals in trust and estate matters. With an advanced degree in taxation, he is particularly relied on for his advice on the tax aspects of transactions, employee incentive plans, and complex estate matters.
Large regional businesses, smaller family-owned companies, and start-up entities have all turned to David for guidance as they navigate growth and change. His work includes advice on entity formation, contracts, financing, employment matters, dispute resolution, and succession planning, in addition to strategic transactions. In the area of transactions, David represents clients in sales of real estate, stock, and membership interests, as well as mergers and acquisitions.
He also drafts and advises on deferred compensation plans and other employee incentive programs, frequently partnering with clients' accountants and other advisors. David's background in taxation and litigation help him not only to structure corporate transactions for maximum tax efficiency but also to negotiate key terms to minimize the risk of future disputes.
With an advanced degree in taxation, he is particularly relied on for his advice on the tax aspects of transactions, employee incentive plans, and complex estate matters.
David's nonprofit experience includes work with a range of health, religious, and other charitable organizations, from small community foundations to major Lafayette entities, such as Purdue University and the Purdue Research Foundation. He regularly advises on nonprofit entity formation, tax-exempt determination, real estate, unrelated business taxable income issues, and a range of tax-exempt transactions as well as board matters.
A longtime member of the Lafayette community, David enjoys the opportunity to help individuals with wills and trusts - from fellow church members with young families to executives and high net worth individuals with significant and often complex assets, including ownership interests in privately held businesses and farmland or other legacy property. He has particular experience representing multiple generations of families and helping business owners to create and implement tax-efficient succession plans.
David speaks to community and business groups on the topics of entity formation, business succession planning, and estate planning.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Education
- Partner / Personal Injury Group Co - Chair
- Personal Injury
Jim is an experienced trial lawyer who fights insurance companies and corporations to pursue justice for his clients.
Jim is an experienced trial lawyer who fights insurance companies and corporations to pursue justice for his clients. His experience spans a wide range of personal injury matters, including:
Roadway accidents - auto, trucking, motorcycle, and bicycle crashes
Premises liability - slip and falls, trip and falls, negligent security
Products liability - medical devices, prescription drugs, machinery, and home appliances
Workplace accidents - industrial, agricultural and construction injuries; exposure cases
Insurance disputes - fire losses, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
A long-time resident of the Lafayette area, Jim is involved with a number of local organizations. An accomplished former baseball player at the high school and collegiate level, he is a board member of the Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club, the Golden Broncho Club, and Lafayette Youth Summer Baseball. Jim also serves as counsel to the Lafayette Police Civil Service Commission and as assistant counsel to Greater Lafayette Commerce.
An analytical thinker with broad background in litigation, creditors' rights, and contracts, Jason is a knowledgeable and experienced advocate for a wide range of firm clients. Before joining Stuart + Branigin, Jason represented public and private companies in commercial disputes and bankruptcy matters, and served as a county prosecutor.
The core of his practice is in resolving contract disputes on behalf of privately held companies and individuals. Jason's experience ranges from business ownership and management conflicts to consumer protection defense to property and home construction disputes. He is typically able to resolve disputes before a case must be tried through either mediation or private negotiation; however, as a former prosecutor with substantial courtroom experience, he is also equipped to represent clients at trial or arbitration.
Jason's contract litigation experience also helps him to guide Indiana businesses navigating a variety of commercial agreements. He provides ongoing counsel to a diversified industrial manufacturer assisting the in-house counsel and interacting with procurement executives to review and negotiate contracts with many domestic and international suppliers.
An analytical thinker with broad background in litigation, creditors' rights, and contracts, Jason is a knowledgeable and experienced advocate for a wide range of firm clients.
Firm clients also turn to Jason for representation in creditors' rights and bankruptcy-related matters. His experience representing lenders, businesses and individuals in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 and bankruptcy litigation matters - and background in management and finance - enable him to identify efficient strategies to recover and preserve assets. Beyond creditors' rights issues, he also works with banks and credit unions on commercial loan documentation matters.
In addition to his client commitments, Jason serves the Lafayette community as a board director of the Long Center for the Performing Arts and Home with Hope.
Joe is a native of Evansville, Indiana and a lifelong Hoosier. Joe is committed to pursuing the paramount interest of each client, representing them to the best of his abilities, ethically, and with accountability. Hailing from a family of Indiana attorneys, he values his background and training for helping equip him to provide high-quality legal counsel and insight.
Joe enjoys engaging with clients across all 92 counties of Indiana, working on their behalf to provide legal counsel and advance favorable outcomes.
Education law, employment disputes, tort defense, and railroad disputes are among Joe's diverse range of civil litigation topics. He also counsels employers and entrepreneurs in business-related matters. He enjoys the opportunity to work on behalf of clients statewide.
Past experience for Joe includes interning at the Office of the Indiana Attorney General and the Lawrence County Prosecutor's Office, and for Chief Judge Richard L. Young of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. He has also worked for a United States Senator and a United States Congressman, pursuing his interest in politics and state and federal governmental affairs.
Joe's continuing legal education includes membership in the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. Locally, he's passionate about serving Greater Lafayette as a Campaign Cabinet member for the United Way of Greater Lafayette's annual campaign. He also volunteers as an Emerging Young Leader for the United Way of Greater Lafayette.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Business Services Group
Kevin has been helping Stuart & Branigin clients navigate nearly every aspect of contracts and agreements - from drafting to negotiation to dispute resolution - for nearly 30 years. A longtime member of the Lafayette community, he also advises individuals on wills and trusts, and handles estate administration and related matters.
Clients benefit from Kevin's unusual perspective on business contracts and agreements. With extensive background in creditors' rights and bankruptcy matters, and resolving other contract-related disputes, he has a clear understanding of where and how agreements can falter. This experience helps him to quickly identify and negotiate key provisions to protect core interests and mitigate the risk of future disputes.
Kevin has advised a wide range of clients on contract matters, including agribusiness owners, financial institutions, and established corporate entities. He provides ongoing counsel to a diversified industrial manufacturer assisting the in-house counsel and interacting with procurement executives to review and negotiate contracts with many domestic and international suppliers. Kevin also advises entrepreneurs and business owners on agreements related to entity formation, including incorporation documents and limited liability operating agreements.
Mark has been invested in relationships with Lafayette institutions, businesses and families for decades. With a long-standing role as outside general counsel to the Tippecanoe School Corporation, extensive experience in real estate development and significant work with families on estate planning, Mark is known and trusted for a range of important matters.
Schools in Indiana have turned to Mark for guidance for more than 25 years. His experience spans a broad spectrum of matters facing public and private schools, including construction and financing, compliance with state and federal regulations and school reform laws, board and governance matters, policy drafting and review, supplier contracts, labor and employment issues, arbitration, and litigation. Although the majority of Mark's work is as primary outside counsel, he also consults with school districts in need of representation in specific areas, such as bond financing and employment law.
Mark has been invested in relationships with Lafayette institutions, businesses and families for decades.
In his 20 years as outside general counsel to the Tippecanoe School Corporation - among the 15 largest public school districts in the state - he has provided regular guidance to the superintendent, board, and key staff members on day-to-day and strategic issues. In recent years, Mark has been heavily involved in land acquisition, development and financing related to the construction of six new elementary and middle schools.
His real estate experience extends beyond school district projects to include commercial and residential property development and transactions. Mark has represented small and medium-scale developers as well as property and business owners, advising on planning, zoning, construction, financing, and leasing. He has particular background with raw land transactions, utility extension agreements, environmental matters, and easements.
Born and raised in Lafayette, Mark takes pride in helping area families and business owners with estate planning. Clients range from young professionals just starting out to established business and property owners seeking to preserve and transfer wealth to future generations. In addition to his work with traditional wills, trusts, and charitable giving programs, he helps owners of private businesses with succession planning and mediates among family members to negotiate the transfer of property and business interests.
Sarah has been defending railroad operators in difficult disputes for more than 10 years. Described by a national railroad client as a "skilled and talented attorney that gets outstanding results," Sarah has repeatedly prevailed as a first-chair trial lawyer in litigation related to rail accident and employee injury claims.
Sarah's railroad clients have included major national operators and several Midwest short-line rail companies. Her work centers on defense against claims resulting from fire, crossing accidents, trespasser injuries, and fatalities in both state and federal court. She also defends railroads in Federal Employers' Liability Act matters and has successfully handled cases involving admission of liability and allegations of toxic exposure.
Sarah has been commended for her ability to work effectively with railroad operator client teams including in-house attorneys, risk directors, and claims managers. Railroad executives have noted her "incredible energy", ability to "juggle a number of matters at one time", and commented that their cases "are in excellent hands with Sarah." She has been selected to the Indiana Rising Stars Super Lawyers list for the past four years.
Scotty enjoyed her summer as a law clerk at Stuart & Branigin in 2018 before joining the firm as an associate in 2019. Scotty's practice areas include real estate, creditor's rights, estate planning, and personal injury.
Scotty earned her B.A. in Law & Society Honors from Purdue University with minors in Forensics, Political Science, and Spanish. She went on to earn her J.D. at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. While at Maurer, Scotty served as a Managing Editor for the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, was a participant in the Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition, was champion of the 2018 Maurer Transactional Drafting and Negotiation Competition and published her student note.
Before joining Stuart & Branigin, Scotty gained valuable experience interning at Indiana Legal Services, the Department of Veteran's Affairs, and a juvenile probation center. Scotty enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, and taking nostalgic walks around the Purdue campus.
Shawna M. VanHook primarily focuses her practice on representing and counseling clients in medical malpractice claims, labor/employment disputes, and various healthcare related issues. Shawna brings a unique perspective to Stuart & Branigin as an experienced professional, having maintained a successful career in operations, logistics, customer service, and retail industries prior to beginning her career as an attorney. Shawna's professional experience coupled with her legal expertise allow her to collaborate with clients to develop innovative solutions and achieve results.
Beyond her work in the healthcare and employment areas, Shawna also extends her practice to help clients with various estate planning matters from drafting documents to succession planning and strategizing.
Shawna attended law school at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. During her time at IU McKinney, Shawna worked as a summer law clerk at Stuart & Branigin in 2018, at Indiana University Health Revenue Cycle Services, and at an Indianapolis law firm in 2017. Shawna is a Lafayette resident and a Purdue University alumna. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and running races of various distances from 5K to a half marathon.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- DTCI Defense Lawyer of the Year
Steve is a seasoned trial attorney with a track record of more than 100 wins on summary judgment and substantial experience in state and federal appeals courts. Recognized for his "outstanding contributions to the representation of clients in the defense of litigation matters" by the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana, he has handled a broad spectrum of litigation for businesses, higher education, and individuals, and is a certified mediator.
Steve has been recognized for his acumen and contributions to the profession by multiple organizations, including the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, Defense Research Institute, and Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. He has been selected to the Best Lawyers in America and Indiana Super Lawyers lists for 10 consecutive years.
With more than thirteen years in practice and background as a civil engineer, Theresa is a trusted member of the Stuart & Branigin team. Valued both for her broad skill set and specific knowledge of construction law, she serves a wide range of clients, including privately held businesses, large nonprofit institutions, and railroad companies.
Theresa brings unusual perspective and technical understanding to helping clients move forward on construction and engineering-related matters. A Purdue engineering graduate, she has worked as civil engineer at two Indiana firms, and as partner in a construction law firm. Clients have turned to Theresa for resolution of stormwater drainage disputes, representation in construction delay and defect litigation, handling of significant mechanics' lien and payment matters, and formation of regional utility districts. She has represented both public and private entities, including property owners, engineers, contractors and subcontractors.
Theresa brings unusual perspective and technical understanding to helping clients move forward on construction and engineering-related matters.
Clients also rely on Theresa for sound counsel in other areas, including supplier contracts and negotiations, employment policies, and compliance matters. With substantial prior experience handling litigation, including bench trials and appeals, arbitration, and mediation, she routinely advises on litigation avoidance techniques.
Theresa presents to companies, builders' associations, and attorney groups on construction law topics. She volunteers with an array of nonprofits in the Lafayette area, including St. Thomas Aquinas and the Purdue Master Gardener program.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Firm Leadership Team
- Partner
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Board of Directors for Imagination Station
Every client has unique objectives, resources, and values. Over several years of private practice, Tyler has worked with an array of people, professionals, and organizations-including Fortune 500 companies, universities, nonprofits, and individuals-to advance their goals in a manner that is mindful of their resources and consistent with their values. Tyler prides himself on being attentive and accessible to his clients, as well as helping them find creative solutions to challenging issues.
Tyler enjoys a diverse practice, regularly representing clients involved in railroad litigation, civil defense, personal injury, labor and employment disputes, administrative and regulatory adjudications, education litigation, and appellate practice. He has participated in numerous trials, oral arguments, and mediations, and practiced or appeared in state and federal jurisdictions throughout the Midwest. Equipped with this breadth of practice, Tyler leverages each experience to help his clients achieve the best result possible.
Tyler is a member of the Board of Directors for Imagination Station, a nonprofit children's science center in Lafayette, and volunteers with other organizations focused on helping youth. In addition to traveling, spending time with friends and family, and watching and playing sports, he regularly authors articles and papers about legal interests in journals and periodicals.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Member of the Firm Leadership Team