Community Activity

• International School of Indiana
  • Board of Directors, 2016 – 2019
• Legal Lines (IndyBar’s Ask-A-Lawyer Program)
  • Volunteer
• North Central Football Fanatics, 2002 – 2004
  • President
  • Don re-named the North Central High School football boosters the “Football Fanatics,” led a resurgence of spirit among parents and fans, and organized events for players and their families.
• North Central High School football, Public Address announcer, 2002 – 2011
  • Tapping into his penchant for sportscasting, Don was the “Voice of the Panthers” at home football games for 10 years and would surprise the crowd by using creative words to describe the action on the field.
• Washington Township Baseball, Inc.
  • Secretary, 1999 – 2005
  • Vice President, 2009 – 2010
  • President, 2010 – 2011
  • Don was not just a “fan in the stands.” He was actively involved in the leadership of the governing board of the high school’s baseball program.
• Westminster Legal Ministry Chairman, 1988-2011
  • Through its affiliation with Don’s home church, Second Presbyterian, Don headed a group of volunteer attorneys who provided legal guidance to needy families on Indy’s near Eastside.

Representative Matters

Since he started practicing law more than 40 years ago, Don has limited his practice to labor and employment law. Don has extensive experience representing clients in the following industries: Credit unions, construction, insurance, manufacturing, retail, health care, printing, temporary labor, restaurant, and housing.

• Prosecuted and defended numerous requests for temporary and permanent injunctions in non-compete cases on behalf of employers.
• Defended an insurance company in employment discrimination case that set the standard for determining whether an insurance agent is an independent contractor: Knight v. United Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., Inc., 950 F.2d 377 (7th Cir. 1991).
• Defended county employer at trial and on appeal against wrongful discharge claim: Moulton v. Vigo Co., 150 F.3d 801 (7th Cir. 1998).
• Represented employer in a religious discrimination case, in which employee unsuccessfully sought court intervention permitting employee to use the phrase “Have a blessed day” in the workplace: Anderson v. U.S.F. Logistics, 274 F.3d. 470 (7th Cir. 2001).
• Represented employer in a wage case, in which the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s award of vacation pay to the employee, and enforced the employer’s written policy that vacation pay was not earned until the employee’s anniversary date: Damon Corp. v. Estes, 750 N.E.2d 891 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001).
• Represented employer hospital in a worker’s compensation case, in which the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that the Worker’s Compensation Board lacked the statutory authority to award interest on worker’s compensation benefits, including overdue medical bills: Christopher R. Brown, DDS, Inc. v. Decatur Co. Memorial Hospital, Inc., 892 N.E.2d 642 (Ind. 2008).
• Defended employer in a class action in a wage and hour case: Artis v. First Revenue Assurance, LLC, (1:09-cv-01555, S. D. Ind. 2009).

Beyond the Office

Don and his wife, Debbie, are the proud parents of three sons, and the very proud grandparents of four grandchildren. All three of their sons are medical doctors after attending medical school at Indiana University. Don remains a huge sports fanatic, with special interests in his Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Indians, and Chicago Cubs (with whom he has played in two fantasy camps).

During the college football season, Don particularly roots for DePauw, Miami (Fla.), and Alabama, teams he “adopted” as a result of where his sons attended school. Don is an avid golfer who is constantly in search of the “perfect swing.”

Awards & Recognition

• Best Lawyers in America, 2022 – present
  • Litigation — Labor and Employment
  • Workers’ Compensation Law — Employers
• Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year” 2023
  • Workers’ Compensation Law — Employers
• Indiana Super Lawyers, 2004 – 2006 and 2009 – present
  • Employment and Labor
• Martindale-Hubble AV Preeminent Rated
• First Baptist Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, 2006
  • Don was inducted into the First Baptist Athletics Hall of Fame after coaching basketball there for years. He continues to referee youth basketball. First Baptist Athletics’ motto is “The Place for Good Sports.”