Community Activity

Bryce is active on numerous community service committees and has experience as an Officer, Director and Counsel to several boards, including:

• Indiana Secretary of State, Securities Division, Administrative Law Judge
• Indiana Election Commission, Chairman, Commissioner
• Arts Council of Indianapolis, Chairman, Director and Officer (2002-2016), Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Chair
• Greater Indianapolis Republican Finance Committee (GIRFCO), Chairman
• Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Board of Directors 
• Fox Eagle Lake Association, Inc., Treasurer 
• Indiana Health Care Policy Institute, Chair 
• Indianapolis Marion County Public Library Foundation, Board of Directors 
• Skyline Club Board of Governors 
• Indiana Health Care Foundation, Board of Directors 
• Indiana Political Subdivision Risk Management Commission 
• Indianapolis Marion County Public Library Strategic Planning Committee 
• Central Indiana Better Business Bureau, Chair of the Board; Member, Board of Directors , General Counsel 
• Central Indiana Small Business Development Center, Board of Advisors 
• Historic Indianapolis City Market Foundation, Chair, Board of Directors 
• Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors
• Indiana Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Council; Economic Development and Congressional Affairs Committees
• Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra, Vice President, Board of Trustees 
• Rotary Club of Indianapolis
• Indianapolis Bar Association, Board of Managers
• Indiana State Bar Association, House of Delegates,
• Indianapolis Bar Foundation Board of Directors ; President
• Sylvan Beach Resort Company, Director, President
• Indianapolis City Market Corporation, President, Board of Directors
• American Pianists Association, Vice President and Director
• Hemophilia of Indiana, Inc., Sr. Vice President and General Counsel Indianapolis Press Club, General Counsel and Treasurer
• City of Indianapolis Equal Opportunity Advisory Board, Chair

Representative Matters

From 1978 until his retirement at the end of 2022, Mr. Bennett represented businesses, including product manufacturers, construction contractors, engineering and design professionals, real estate and development companies, hospitals, nursing homes, and transportation companies as well as other professionals, including doctors, lawyers, insurance and real estate agents, professional and fraternal associations, political subdivisions and municipalities including the City of Indianapolis in thousands of matters, many litigated to conclusion through dispositive motions, negotiated settlements, mediations, arbitrations and numerous bench and jury trials in State and Federal courts. He argued appeals before the 7th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals and before the Indiana Supreme Court. He was admitted to practice pro hac vice in various jurisdictions throughout the United States and was admitted to the United States Supreme Court on August 16, 1991. His broad experience includes the following matters:

• Represented insurers in action where the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the insurers against a city seeking insurance coverage for costs related to an underlying USEPA action demanding that the city upgrade its sewer system to prevent future combined sewer overflows. City of Evansville, et al. v. United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, et. al. (Ind. Ct. App. 2012).
• Defended insurance carrier in a nine-figure environmental coverage action brought by utility company, in which numerous Indiana Appellate Courts determined, in serial appeals, that there was no insurance coverage for the utility’s defense and indemnity costs, when such costs were incurred because of the utility company’s failure to comply with the Clean Air Act: Cinergy Corp. v. St. Paul Surplus Lines Ins. Co., 785 N.E.2d 586 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003), trans. denied; 865 N.E.2d 571 (Ind. 2007), reh’g denied; 873 N.E.2d 105 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), trans. denied; 915 N.E.2d 524 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), reh’g denied, trans. denied.
• Defended title company in a negligence action brought by a mortgage holder, in which Indiana Supreme Court elaborated upon an important exception to the economic loss doctrine: U.S. Bank, N.A. v. Integrity Land Title Corp., 929 N.E.2d 742 (Ind. 2010).
• Argued before the Indiana Supreme Court in a case of first impression, in which Court held, in cases mediated under Indiana’s ADR Rules, settlement agreements must be memorialized in a signed writing to be enforceable. Vernon v. Acton, 732 N.E.2d 805 (Ind. 2000)
• Argued before the Indiana Supreme Court on behalf of landowner alleged to have breached duty to invitee to prevent criminal acts of third parties, in which the Court affirmed grant of summary judgment in favor of landowner, on the grounds landowner did not breach duty to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable criminal acts against invitees. L.W. v. Western Golf Ass’n., 712 N.E.2d 983, 136 Ed. Law Rep. 538 (Ind. 1999).
• Defended nursing home against negligence action premised on the nursing home’s liability for the conduct of a volunteer, in which the Court affirmed grant of summary judgment to nursing home based on the gratuitous servant doctrine and doctrine of non-delegable duty. Gilbert v. Loogootee Realty, LLC d/b/a Loogootee Nursing Center, 928 N.E.2d 625 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010), reh’g denied.
• Represented the parents of Sue Ann Lawrance in Indiana’s Right-to-Die case: In the Matter of Lawrance, 579 N.E.2d 32 (Ind. 1991).
• Prosecuted patent infringement claims on behalf of table pad manufacturer. Obtained summary judgment in favor of manufacturer, in which court found that manufacturer’s patent had been infringed, and that a competitor’s patent was invalid. Berger v. Ohio Table Pad Co., 539 F.Supp.2d 1069 (N.D. Ind. 2008).
• Prosecuted multi-million-dollar mechanic’s lien claim on behalf of general contractor in both state court and bankruptcy court. PCL/Calumet v. EnterCitement, LLC, 760 N.E.2d 633 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001).
• Defended municipality against negligence action, in which Court affirmed grant of summary judgment in favor of town, on the basis that the town was statutorily immune from the plaintiff’s claim. Babinchak v. Town of Chesterton, 598 N.E.2d 1099 (Ind. Ct. App. 1992).
• Defended property owners in a negligence action, in which Court directed the trial court to enter summary judgment in favor of homeowners and against plaintiff, on the basis that, in response to a summary judgment motion, a plaintiff may not change her testimony. Frampton v. Hutcherson, 784 N.E.2d 993 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).
• Defended property owners against negligence action brought by visitor, in which Court affirmed grant of summary judgment in favor of property owners. Reed v. Beachy Const. Corp., 781 N.E.2d 1145 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002).
• Defended vendors in action for fraud by purchasers of a home, in which Court affirmed grant of summary judgment in favor of vendors. South v. Johnson & Dudley Real Estate, 437 N.E.2d 494 (Ind. Ct. App. 1982).

Beyond the Office

Bryce enjoys staying physically active outdoors and interest in protecting nature and the physical beauty of his environment has motivated him to serve in leadership positions of both his local neighborhood associations.

• Fox Eagle Lake Association, Inc., Treasurer (2013-Present)
• Sylvan Beach Resort Company, Director, President (1999-2001)

Awards & Recognition

Bryce has received awards and recognition’s during his career including the following:

Sagamore of the Wabash — 2023

Best Lawyers in America – 2022

• Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Recognition in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by clients and legal professionals as a significant honor conferred on a lawyer by their peers.

National Association of Secretaries of State Award

• Following his final meeting as Chairman of the Indiana Election Commission, Bryce was presented a National Association of Secretaries of State Award from Indiana Secretary of State, Connie Lawson in her office at the Indiana Statehouse. Secretary Lawson is a past President of the National Association of Secretaries of State and has issued only five such awards during her 12 years in office. In her remarks, Secretary Lawson commended Bryce Bennett on his service to the State of Indiana as Chair of the Indiana Election Commission, as an Administrative Law Judge, and for his work on behalf of the city of Indianapolis and many boards, commissions and not for profit organizations.

Indiana Lawyer’s Distinguished Barrister Award for Leadership in Law — 2012

• In 2012, Bryce was honored to receive the Indiana Lawyer’s Distinguished Barrister Award for leadership in law and his commitment to the legal profession and the clients he serves.

40 Under 40 — Member, Charter Class of Indianapolis Business Journal’s top 40 “hotshots” from various professions and businesses who made their mark in Indianapolis before their 40th birthday.

Indiana Super Lawyers — 2004 – 2022

• Every year since 2004, Bryce has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer. Each year, Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Indiana via a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation. The Indiana lawyers who receive the highest point totals during this selection process are further recognized in Indiana Super Lawyers Top Lists.

Martindale-Hubbell AV-Rated

• Bryce has been consistently rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell since 2000. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. Attorneys looking to refer a client, as well as individuals researching lawyers for their own legal needs, use these ratings to identify, evaluate and select the most appropriate lawyer for their legal issue. Combined with the Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, self-reported professional credentials and other fact-based performance data, a Peer Review Rating contributes to the comprehensive view of a lawyer and benefits the entire legal community. An AV® Rating signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for a number of years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

Indianapolis Bar Association Distinguished Life Fellow — 2011

• This select group is chosen by the Directors of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation to become Distinguished Life Fellows as a result of their significant contributions to the legal profession and to our community.

Indianapolis Bar Association Distinguished Fellow — 1994

• This select group is chosen by the Directors of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation to become Distinguished Fellows as a result of their significant contributions to the legal profession and to our community.

Indiana Bar Association Fellow — 2005

• Fellows are chosen on the basis of outstanding legal ability, commitment to the community and advancement of the legal profession.

Bryce has been selected and serves as a Super Lawyer Blue Ribbon Panelist

In 1992, Bryce was named a “Grand Buffalo” of Indianapolis Press Club

Listed in several “Who’s Who” publications, including “Who’s Who in America”; “Who’s Who in American Law”; and “Who’s Who in the World”

Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award in Business Associations 1978