James W. Riley Jr.

Of Counsel

317-636-8000

Assistant: Beth A. Reis

317-955-7157

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Biography

Since 1972, Jim Riley has concentrated his practice on litigation. As lead or local counsel, he represents manufacturers, insurers, financial institutions, and other businesses in litigation in state and federal trial, and appellate courts. Cases handled include contract and insurance coverage disputes, products liability cases, trademark and patent infringement actions, and professional liability claims. He has tried more than 20 cases to jury verdicts. He has served on the Local Rules Advisory Committee of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana since 2000.

Jim is also an experienced neutral. As a member of the American Arbitration Association panel of commercial arbitrators since 2006, he is now on the AAA large and complex commercial case panel. He has handled a variety of cases including disputes involving: contracts for supply of goods and services, employment, indemnity; insurance coverage; crop insurance claims; automobile dealer franchises; credit card accounts; and first party insurance claims. He also served as a mediator in the Indianapolis Bar Association’s innovative Settlement Week Program and continues to serve as a mediator in commercial and business cases. He was the Medical Review Panel Chair in more than 150 medical malpractice cases.

Representative Matters

  • Defended owner from claims in excess of 70 million dollars relating to construction accident property damage and prosecuted related insurance coverage action.
  • Represented manufacturers in catastrophic injury products liability actions to defense verdicts.
  • Represented manufacturer in multiple fatality wrongful death products liability action to defense verdict.
  • Represented telecommunication company in trademark and patent infringement actions.
  • Represented generic drug manufacturers in ANDA patent infringement actions.
  • Represented bank in Directors and Officers liability and insurance coverage actions.
  • Represented retailer in commercial action against banks.

Publications

Presentations

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (President 2004-2005) - frequent presenter and seminar chair on litigation, arbitration and insurance topics.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Training

  • AAA Disclosure Dynamics in Arbitration ACE 24, 2024
  • AAA Managing Cases with Self-Represented Parties ACE 02, ADS 02, 2023
  • AAA Panelist Security & Safety Training  ACE 23, 2023
  • AAA Process Essentials for AAA Arbitrators ACE 22, 2022
  • AAA Impartiality: Do You Know Where Your Biases Are? ACE21 2021
  • AAA Cyber Security: A Shared Responsibility ACE20, 2019
  • AAA Sexual Harassment Presentation for AAA Panelists, 2019
  • AAA Case Finances: What Arbitrators Need to Know ACE19, 2019
  • AAA Arbitrator Performance and Demeanor — Meeting Participant Expectations ACE18, 2018
  • AAA Red Flags & Risk Areas: Challenges to Arbitrator Authority ACE14, 2017
  • AAA Conducting Research & Investigations: The Arbitrator’s Authority ACE09, 2016
  • AAA Avoiding Ten Common Missteps Arbitrators Make ACE10, 2015
  • AAA Principled Deliberations: Decision-Making Skills for Arbitrators, 2014
  • AAA Managing the Arbitration Process for Efficiency & Economy Following the Preliminary Hearing, 2013
  • AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards ACE01, 2010
  • AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration ACE04, 2010
  • Indiana State Bar Association Arbitration Forum, 2008
  • AAA Arbitrator I Training: Fundamentals of the Arbitration Process, 2006
  • ABA ADR Section, 2nd Arbitration Training Institute, 2005
  • Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, ADR: Executive Negotiation, Mediation & Arbitration, 2005

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers In America®
    • Arbitration: 2024 – present
    • Commercial Litigation: 2024 – present
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated
  • Indiana Super Lawyers, 2004 – present
    • Business Litigation
  • Sagamore of the Wabash Awarded by Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, October 4, 2006
  • Indiana State Bar Association
    • Presidential Citations, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2012, and 2016
    • Litigation Section Civility Award, October 17, 2013

Industries Served

Insurance
Manufacturing
Technology
Telecommunications

Practice Areas

Business Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Insurance
Business Contract Disputes
Insurance Defense / Insurance Coverage
Arbitration / Mediation / Alternative Dispute
Product Liability
Insurance Coverage

Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • House of Delegates, 2005 – 2006
  • Indiana State Bar Association
    • President, 2005 – 2006
    • Chair, House of Delegates, 2003
    • Board of Governors, 1997 – 1999, 2001 – 2003
  • Fellow: Indianapolis, Indiana (Board of Directors, 2004) and American Bar Foundations
  • Federal Bar Association
    • Southern District Local Rules Advisory Committee, Seventh Circuit Bar Association
  • Indianapolis Bar Association
    • Board of Managers, 11th District Representative, 1997 –1999
  • Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
    • Board of Directors, 1996 – 1999
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
  • Defense Research Institute

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Indiana, 1972
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1975
  • U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 1973
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 1972
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 1972

Education

University of Michigan, JD, 1972

Purdue University, BS, 1969