James W. Riley, Jr.

Of Counsel

317-636-8000

Assistant: Annie M. Fisher – afisher@rbelaw.com

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.

Awards & Recognition

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated
    • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings. An “AV” rating is the most prestigious rating.
  • Indiana Super Lawyers (2004 – 2021)
    • Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
  • Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Mitchell E. Daniels (October 4, 2006)
  • Indiana State Bar Association Presidential Citations (1999, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2012 and 2016)
  • Indiana State Bar Association Litigation Section Civility Award (October 17, 2013)

 Alternative Dispute Resolution Training

ACE23 – AAA Panelist Safety and Security

ACE22 – AAA Process Essentials for AAA Arbitrators, 2022

ACE21 – AAA Impartiality: Do You Know Where Your Biases Are?, 2021

ACE20 – AAA Cyber Security: A Shared Responsibility, 2019

Sexual Harassment Presentation for AAA Panelists, 2019

ACE19 – AAA Case Finances: What Arbitrators Need to Know, 2019

ACE18 – AAA Arbitrator Performance and Demeanor ~ Meeting Participant Expectations, 2018  

ACE14 – AAA Red Flags & Risk Areas: Challenges to Arbitrator Authority, 2017

ACE09- AAA Conducting Research & Investigations, The Arbitrator’s Authority, 2016

ACE10 – AAA Avoiding Ten Common Missteps Arbitrators Make 2015

AAA Principled Deliberations: Decision-Making Skills for Arbitrators, 2014

AAA Managing the Arbitration Process for Efficiency & Economy Following the Preliminary Hearing, 2013

ACE01 – AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards 2010

ACE04 – AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration, 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

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 Admission

  • Indiana (1972)
  • U.S. Supreme Court (1975)
  • U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (1973)
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana (1972)

Education

  • University of Michigan, J.D. (1972)
  • Purdue University, B.S. (1969)