Skip to Main Content.

Industries

    Practices

    Biography

    Maggie is recognized as one of the top appellate attorneys in the country.  In addition to being named by Super Lawyers® as one the top 25 Women Attorneys in the state of Indiana, Maggie has been selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of appellate practice every year since 2009, and this year she has been named the 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for appellate practice.

    She also has been identified as an Indiana Super Lawyers® appellate attorney, listed as a Chambers USA® Top Tier Appellate Litigator, and recently was celebrated for fifteen years as a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer with the “Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards.”

    Maggie has been involved in hundreds of appeals, and has represented businesses, individuals, and groups in all types of appellate proceeding at every level of the state and federal appellate courts.  She also has significant experience representing amicus curiae parties before Indiana’s appellate courts.

    Her clients say that her appellate “writing skills are great” and she also has “fantastic” oral advocacy skills arguing before appellate courts—a combination that makes Maggie “the complete package.”

    In addition to representing parties on appeal, Maggie has been actively involved in drafting the Indiana Appellate Rules, is a leader in the state and national appellate practice communities, and is a regular presenter and author on appellate topics.

    Prior to entering private practice, she served as a judicial law clerk with the Indiana Supreme Court and was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Indiana University, teaching legal writing and reasoning and appellate advocacy.

    The Indiana Supreme Court appointed Maggie to an eight-year term on its Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure in 2009, and in this capacity, she was engaged in the continuous study of all the Indiana Rules of Procedure (Trial Rules, Evidence Rules, Jury Rules, Appellate Rules, Professional Conduct Rules, etc.).   Maggie was actively involved in the e-fling projects, Administrative Rule 9(G) overhaul, and the appellate rules.

    Other Info About Maggie

    Experience

    Legal Work Highlights

    Member — Frost Brown Todd

    Successfully defended the constitutionality of the original Indiana wine shipping statute on appeal in the federal courts.

    Successfully represented Dolby Laboratories on appeal in patent challenge to Dolby Surround Sound systems.

    Successfully prosecuted appeal resulting in long-dormant cause of action for Title by Acquiescence being recognized.

    Adjunct Professor — The Master’s Study
    Instructed tutelage program students in dual-college credit course on “Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Argument.”

    Adjunct Professor  — Indiana University School of Law
    Instructed first-year law students in legal reasoning, legal writing, and oral advocacy.

    Law Clerk — Honorable Justice Brent E. Dickson, Indiana Supreme Court
    Assisted Indiana Supreme Court Justice in drafting opinions.

    Instructor — Indiana University: Law Program for Gifted Students
    Taught basic legal concepts to gifted and talented high school students.

    Education

    Law School

    Indiana University Maurer School of Law, visiting student, 1995-1996

    University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, J.D., 1994, magna cum laude

    Undergraduate School

    University of Arizona, B.A., 1991, cum laude

    Clerkships

    Maggie served as a clerk for the court(s) and judge(s) below:

    Indiana Supreme Court, the Honorable Justice Brent E. Dickson

    Bar Memberships

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

    Indiana

    Courts

    Maggie is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

    United States Supreme Court

    United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

    United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

    United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

    United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

    United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

    Recognition

    Local & National Recognition

    Named one of the “Top 25 Women Attorneys in Indiana” by Indiana Super Lawyers

    Indiana Super Lawyers, Appellate Practice, 2012-2021

    The Best Lawyers in America®, Appellate Practice, 2009-2022; Indiana Appellate Practice Law “Lawyer of the Year”, 2021

    Chambers USA, Litigation: Appellate, 2017-2021

    Martindale Hubbell Peer Rating A-V (highest available rating) for reaching the “heights of professional excellence and the highest levels of skill.”

    2013 Indiana State Bar Association David Hamacher Public Service Award

    2004 Indiana Bar Foundation Fellow Nominee

    2002 Outstanding Trial Advocate, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Trial Skills Program

    2000 State of Indiana Outstanding Young Attorney of the Year

    1999 Indiana State Bar Association Presidential Citation for Excellence in Recognition of Exceptional Contributions to the Profession of Law

    Professional Affiliations

    Professional Affiliations & Memberships

    Indiana Legal Foundation, Legal Committee

    Program Chair, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, Appellate Advocacy

    Program Chair, Advanced Appellate Practice: A Masters Level Discussion, ICLEF

    Program Chair and Moderator, An Insider’s Guide to Appellate Practice, Indiana State Bar Association

    Robert H. Staton Intramural Moot Court Competition, Indiana University McKinney School of Law
    Justice, Championship Round, 2018
    Justice, Championship Round, 2017

    Ask a Lawyer, Volunteer Attorney for Annual Indianapolis Bar Association Pro Bono Program

    Indiana Supreme Court Committee on Rules of Price and Procedure, Member 2009-2018.
    The Rules Committee provides recommendations and proposed amendments for all of the Indiana Rules of Procedure (Trial, Criminal, Evidence, Admission & Discipline, Jury, Appellate, Professional Conduct, Judicial Conduct, etc.).

    Indiana Appellate Pro Bono Project, Volunteer 2008-present
    Providing Pro Bono Assistance for Civil appeals

    Indiana State Bar Association
    Appellate Practice Section (1998- Present)
    Section Chair, 2010-2011
    Section Vice Chair, 2009-2010
    Chair, Notice of Appeal Revision Task Force, 2010
    Chair, Bench-Bar/Special Projects Committee, 2002-2013
    Chair, Newsletter, 2013
    Chair, Indiana Docs Appellate Drafting Committee, 2009-2011
    Chair, An Evening with the Appellate Judges Event, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
    Planning Committee Member, Appellate Survey Seminar 2007, 2011
    Planning Committee Member, Appellate Skills Seminar 2006, 2009
    Planning Committee Member, Masters Level Appellate Practice CLE, 2005, 2008
    Council Member for District 11, 2000-2002
    Chair, Executive Committee on Appellate Rules Update Project 2004, 2008

    Federal Judiciary Committee
    Past Chair
    Past Vice-Chair

    Committee on Judicial Improvements
    Past Co-Chair, Committee on Judicial Merit Selection

    Committee on State Legislation

    ISBA Long Range Planning Commission, Member

    Indiana Docs Document/Forms Review Committee

    Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee
    Pro Bono representation of ISBA in Original Actions filed regarding practice of law before State Board of Tax Commissioners.

    “Why Lincoln Was A Lawyer” ISBA Program, TPCA School Coordinator, 2010, 2012

    Planning Committee for Statewide Gala Honoring Chief Justice Shepard

    American Bar Association, Council for Appellate Lawyers
    Indiana and Seventh Circuit Representative for Speakers Board

    Indianapolis Bar Association
    Past Co-Chair, Pro Bono Recognition Committee

    Seventh Circuit Bar Association

    Indianapolis Sagamore Inn of Court
    Past Barrister of organization dedicated to improving professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar.

    Christian Legal Society
    Past Board Member; served as faculty advisor to law student chapter.

    Indiana University Moot Court Judge
    Regular judge of finals and semi-finals of Indianapolis and Bloomington Law School Moot Court
    Competitions.

    Civic Activities

    Civic & Charitable Organizations

    Cicero Hope Family Care Center
    Volunteer and Member of Board of Directors for non-profit free medical/dental clinic and provider of social
    services to impoverished and under insured.

    Northwest Warriors Basketball Program
    Volunteer Family Coordinator and Equipment Manager for non-profit organization 10U-Varsity basketball
    club.

    Vision Nicaragua
    Volunteer Team Leader bringing 12 high school students to Nicaragua for eight days to put on medical
    clinics, food distribution, sports/art camps for poverty-stricken communities in rural Nicaragua.

    The Masters Study
    Volunteer organizer of student and family academic, community, and service events for K-12 Tutelage
    Program

    Body in Training
    Volunteer training group coach for non-profit Track and Field Program; USATF track and field meet volunteer

    Otino Waa Orphanage
    Volunteer, Supporter, and Fundraising Organizer for Orphanage and Medical Clinic in Uganda Africa

    Million Meal Movement
    Team Organizer, Volunteer, and Supporter of event where 1 million food bags are packed to support hunger
    insecure communities

    Extreme Travel Softball Organization
    Volunteer “Team Parent,” administrator, and family organizer for non-profit organization

    Eagle Creek Little League
    Volunteer Family Coordinator for non-profit organization

    Apprentice University Scholarship Committee
    Volunteer with reviewing and awarding scholarships for this education and employment model focused on preparing its students for success and leadership in the business world through a unique integration of on-the-job experience, mentoring, and the more formal, traditional classroom education.

    Legacy Christian School
    Volunteer Fundraising Auction Committee; PTA Volunteer; Guest Lecturer; Judge High School and Middle School Science Fair

    New Song
    Volunteer for non-profit organization serving orphaned, fatherless, and impoverished children of Indiana. Team organizer for six-day construction and service event at New Song.

    Beacon of Hope Center for Women
    Volunteer Grant Writer for non-profit organization that serves women, children and family pets that have fallen victim to domestic violence and abuse and is dedicated to empowering victims of domestic violence to become self-sufficient by providing safety, support and education.

    Common Ground Christian Church
    Sunday School Lead Teacher; Small Group Leader; Hospitality Committee.

    Safe Families for Children
    Home is licensed by the Indiana Department of Child Services to provide temporary housing to children in
    crisis by averting potential abuse/neglect episodes due to crisis situation.

    Purchased, Inc.
    Supporter and volunteer for non-profit organization dedicated to educating people on the issues of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse with the hope of promoting abolition by empowering others to join in the movement. Team coordinator for annual “Kick for One” kickball fundraiser event 2019, 2018, 2017.

    Navajo Christian Foundation
    Team leader for trip to Navajo Reservation to volunteer at a Navajo Foster Care program.

    Kids Games
    Group leader for this sports and values based program for 6-14 year old kids where companies, schools, community groups, sports organizations, churches and local government work together to serve inner-city children through a variety of programs.

    Shepard Community Center
    Coordinator of service outreach program for inner-city non-profit organization that works with neighborhood youth and their families to break the cycle of poverty on the near eastside of Indianapolis by engaging and empowering the community to cultivate healthy children, strong families, and vibrant neighborhoods.

    Traders Point Christian Academy
    Parent Teacher Fellowship Executive Committee; Chair, Fundraiser Auctions 2009, 2010, 2011; Coordinator
    of Family Involvement Campout; Attorney Coordinator for Lincoln Days; Room Parent

    Preserve at Eagle Creek Homeowners Association
    Web Page Coordinator and Communications Committee for Homeowner Association Board of Directors

    Indiana Chapter, University of Arizona Alumni Association
    President of Board of Directors of local alumni group whose responsibilities include funding scholarship
    programs for Indiana students attending the University of Arizona.

    Community Organization Legal Assistance Program
    Community coordinator and volunteer of organization which provides pro bono legal assistance to community development corporations and other community-based organizations serving low-income neighborhoods in central Indiana.

    Care Center Women and Children’s Shelter
    Volunteer for inner-city women and children’s shelter.

    Neighborhood Fellowship
    Board of Directors for 501(c)(3) foundation seeking to establish a tuition-free, inner-city private school and
    Arts Center. Pro Bono volunteer for litigation to preserve historical facility against eminent domain taking.

    Ovar’Coming Together
    Assist ovarian cancer education and resource nonprofit with organizing fund-raising endeavors.

    Cross Pointe Christian Church
    Coordinator of community events, including Vacation Bible School and Harvest Celebration for inner-city
    youth, etc. Also served as Women’s Ministry Leader, Small Group Leader, Children’s Ministry Leader.

    Firm Committees

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

    Ethics Committee, Member

    Presentations

    Maggie was invited to speak at the following events:

    Presenter, Indiana Supreme Court Appellate Practice, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 1,
    2019

    Presenter, Appellate Practice, Defense Trial Council of Indiana Rookie Seminar, April 11, 2019

    Presenter, Advanced Business Litigation Summit: Protecting Your Case For Appeal, Indianapolis Bar Association, September 12, 2018

    Program Chair, Advanced Appellate Practice: A Masters Level Discussion, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, August 17, 2018

    Presenter, Appellate Ethics, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, August 17, 2018

    Presenter: A Look at Indiana’s Appellate Courts: Statistics, Trends & Amicus Practice, Annual Meeting Indiana State Bar Association, September 27, 2017

    Presenter: Appellate Skills Seminar: Ethical Issues in Appellate Practice, Indiana State Bar Association, June 13, 2016

    Presenter: A Tribute to Justice Brent. Dickson’s Contributions to Indiana Law, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Symposium, March 29, 2016

    Presenter: Indiana Paralegal Association, Sealing and Excluding Records in Indiana Courts, November 18, 2015

    Presenter, Public Access Law In The Digital Age, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, August 18, 2015

    Presenter: Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court Judicial Clerks and Staff Attorneys CLE on AR 9(G), May 11, 2015

    Presenter: Indiana Public Defenders Council Appellate Advocacy Seminar, May 8, 2015

    Presenter: Evening with the Appellate Judges, Filing Confidential Information Under Seal, Revised Administrative Rule 9(G), and the Appellate Courts, Indiana State Bar Association, May 4, 2015

    Presenter: What the Bench Needs to Know about Sealing and Excluding Records: Administrative Rule 9(G), Spring Judicial College Indiana Judicial Center, April 30, 2015

    Presenter: Monroe County Bench Bar, Sealing and Excluding Records in Indiana Courts: Administrative Rule 9(G), February 11, 2015

    Presenter: Administrative Rule 9(G) & Indiana Courts, January 11, 2015

    Presenter, Sealing and Excluding Records in Indiana Courts: Administrative Rule 9(G), Indiana State Bar Association, December 28, 2014

    Presenter, Appellate Practice Primer: Interlocutory Appeals & Final Judgments, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 18, 2014

    Presenter, Administrative Rule 9(G), Annual Meeting of the Judicial Conference of Indiana, September 1, 2014

    Moderator and Author: Top 10 Mistakes Made by Appellate Lawyers, November 20, 2014

    Chair and Moderator, An Insider’s Guide to Appellate Practice, Indiana State Bar Association, May 8, 2014

    Presenter, Appellate Practice: Challenging and Defending Decisions of the Worker’s Compensation Board, Masters Roundtable, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation, March 7, 2014

    Presenter, Appellate Practice, Defense Trial Council of Indiana Rookie Seminar, April 19, 2013

    Presenter, When and How to Appeal under the 2012 Changes to the Indiana Rules of Appellate Procedure, Indiana State Bar Association Annual Meeting, October 26, 2012

    Presenter, Recent Amendments to the Appellate Rules, Annual Meeting of the Judicial Conference, September 12, 2012

    Presenter, Confidential Appellate Records: The Effect of Administrative Rule 9 on Appeals, Master’s Program, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, July 21, 2012

    Presenter, What You Need To Know About The Recent Amendments to the Indiana Appellate Rules, ISBA Family and Juvenile Law Symposium, April 11, 2012

    Presenter, Survey of Recent Amendments to the Appellate Rules, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, March 22, 2012

    Moderator and Author, Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges–Indiana Style, May 13, 2011

    Presenter, Initiating The Appeal, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, May 13, 2011

    Presenter, Mechanics and Strategies For Brief Writing In Indiana Appellate Courts, City of Indianapolis Office of Corporation Counsel, April 16, 2010

    Presenter, Developing Appellate Skills, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 10, 2009

    Presenter, Indiana Appellate Practice Legal Seminar, City of Indianapolis Office of Corporation Counsel, July 24, 2009

    Presenter, Judicial Notice of Facts, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, October 27, 2008

    Presenter, The Written and Unwritten Rules of Appellate Practice, Masters Program, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, May 1, 2008

    Presenter, Appellate Statistics, Annual Meeting of the Defense Trial Council of Indiana, November 16, 2007

    Presenter, Survey of Indiana Appellate Practice, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, October 23, 2007

    Author, Notice of Appeal through Certification of the Decision: An Insider’s Perspective to the Appellate Process, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, May 9, 2007

    Presenter, Arguing the Call: Key Practice Tips for Indiana’s Appellate Courts, Rookie Seminar, Defense Trial Council of Indiana, May 2nd, 2007

    Panelist, Developing Appellate Skills, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 2, 2006

    Presenter, Reading the Appellate Courts and Planning Your Appeal, Defense Trial Council of Indiana, Nov. 18, 2006.

    Presenter, Specialty Ethics in Indiana, National Business Institute Continuing Legal Education, Nov. 9, 2004

    Presenter, State Court Appellate Practice, Top Ten Practice Tips for Young Lawyers and General Practitioners, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, October 8, 2004

    Presenter, Developing Appellate Skills: The Art of Oral Argument, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 13, 2003

    Panelist, Developing Appellate Skills, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 13, 2003

    Presenter, Federal Rules Update, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, October 23, 2003

    Presenter, State Court Appellate Practice, Top Ten Practice Tips for Young Lawyers and General Practitioners, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, May 29, 2003

    Presenter, Ethical Issues in Property Tax Appeals, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, February 28, 2002

    Presenter, What Makes Indiana Special? The Indiana Constitution CLE, The 81st Annual Indiana History Conference of the Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 3, 2001

    Lead Presenter and Author, Win Clarence Darrow’s Money: What you always wanted to know about Indiana law, Indianapolis Sagamore Inn Of Court, May, 11, 2001

    Presenter, Original Actions in the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, May 5, 2000

    Panelist, Developing Appellate Skills, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, November 2000

    Presenter, State Court Appellate Practice, Top Ten Practice Tips for Young Lawyers and General Practitioners, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, December 15, 1999

    Presenter, Raising and Preserving Indiana Constitutional Law Claims: Suing the Sovereign, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, April 27, 1999

    Presenter, The Indiana Supreme Court Decision in ISBA v. SBTC and Its Impact on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, Indiana Continuing Legal Education, September 29, 1999

    Coordinator, An Update on the Law of the Church and State, September 18, 1999

    Major Publications

    Maggie is an author or contributor to the following publications:

    Appellate Issues, American Bar Association, “Writing from the Reader’s Perspective: How the English Language Really Works,” 2022 Winter Edition

    Indiana Law Review, Vol. 50 No. 1 Justice Dickson’s Civil Tort Law Jurisprudence, 2016

    Res Gestae, “Appellate Civil Case Law Update,” contributing editor from 2003 to present.

    The Appellate Advocate, “Recent Cases on Appellate Practice, ” contributing editor from 2002 to 2018.

    Indiana Lawyer, “Indiana Constitutional Law: What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You,” April 7, 1999

    Related Insights