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Biography

Amy is a litigator and problem-solver for public servants and the governmental entities that employ them. She defends schools, law enforcement entities, and municipalities in state and federal court. Her litigation experience fosters her ability to counsel these same clients in matters relating to administration, governance, regulatory compliance, policies/procedures and risk management. Prior to joining Frost Brown Todd, Amy worked as an assistant regional general counsel for Nationwide Insurance Company, handling complex coverage matters (personal and commercial lines), regulatory compliance, risk assessment/privacy training and litigation management.

Amy lives by the adage โ€œthink globally, act locally.โ€ As a frequent flyer at arts events, Amy enjoys local art galleries and fairs, theater productions and live music. Any given Sunday, she can be found playing Catan, Wingspan or Ticket to Ride board games with family and friends. Call her a civic enthusiast: Amy loves talking with visitors, recent transplants and complete strangers about the amazing nooks and crannies of Indianapolis.

Amy's Relevant Experience

Schools

As the daughter of public school teachers, the mother of a special needs child, and a recent school board member, Amyโ€™s interest in education law is homegrown. She represents public and private school corporations in matters involving governance and administration, including FERPA issues, and in matters involving liability claims including sexual misconduct, student suicide, bullying, hazing, abuse, etc. Amy has experience with Special Education law, including Individualized Education Plans and IDEA compliance. She has defended school corporations and their boards, superintendents, teachers, counselors, school resource officers and coaches in claims of civil rights violations (Section 1983, Title IX, discrimination, due process, search and seizure, free speech, etc.), state law violations (Open Door Law, etc.) as well as state law negligence claims. She is a member of the national and Indiana Council of School Attorneys and is well-positioned to navigate school clients through rough waters.

Law Enforcement

Amy and the rest of the Frost Brown Todd Government Services team provide a comprehensive defense to law enforcement entities and their employees in state and federal court. Amy defends law enforcement in lawsuits alleging civil rights violations, including excessive force, due process, search and seizure, Eighth Amendment, and Section 1983/Monell claims, as well as state law claims of negligence, assault & battery, and wrongful death. As a consultant to police and Sheriffโ€™s departments throughout Indiana, Amy advises on policy and legislative matters including accreditation, training, jail overcrowding, Sexual Offender Registry, privacy and public records issues (APRA and FOIA).

Municipalities

Amy has guided a major cityโ€™s Private Industry Council on projects involving FERPA privacy compliance and data-sharing agreements. Her experience with education law, jail litigation and law enforcement entities informs her work with cities and towns. Amy and the Frost Brown Todd Government Services team are trusted advisors to cities, counties and towns throughout the state of Indiana on a wide range of public law matters, including employment, collective bargaining, zoning/development, governance, ordinances, and environmental issues. Amy has represented a diverse group of entities, including health plan administrators, school corporations, law enforcement agencies, public officials, jail wardens, judges, and county/city/town councils.

Insurance Coverage and Defense

With her long tenure in the insurance industry, Amy is a natural for handling coverage opinions, bad faith defense, contract issues, regulatory compliance and general defense of insureds in both personal and commercial lines of business. She has participated in catastrophic event coverage committees, underwriting profitability task forces, and has served on the amicus, claims and legislative steering committees for insurance carriers and trade associations. Insurance defense makes up about 1/3 of Amyโ€™s case load, and she is experienced in providing legal representation that is thorough yet cost-effective.

Other Info About Amy

Education

Law School

Indiana University McKinney School of Law, J.D., 1992

Undergraduate School

Duke University, B.A. Political Science, 1986,ย Deanโ€™s List

Bar Memberships

Amy is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Indiana

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

The Best Lawyers in Americaยฎ, Municipal Law, 2024

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Council of School Attorneys
Indiana Sheriffโ€™s Association
Accelerate of Indiana Municipalities
Indianapolis Bar Association, Insurance Coverage section member
Indiana State Bar Association, Women in Law section member

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Equal Opportunity Advisory Board Member, City of Indianapolis
New Hope of Indiana, Silver Cup Celebration Committee
National Association of Women Business Owners, Advisory Board
ARC of Indiana
Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve
Board of School Trustees, Irvington Community Schools, 2019-2021
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), 2016-2020

Firm Committees

Amy serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Health & Wellness Committee, Co-Chair

General Counsel Services Initiative