Thank you for your request to e-mail Barry L. Loftus
While you are welcome to contact an attorney at Stuart & Branigin LLP, you should be aware that this website presents general information about Stuart & Branigin LLP and is not intended as legal advice, nor should you consider it as such. You should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
Please keep in mind that merely contacting Stuart & Branigin LLP will not establish an attorney-client relationship. Stuart & Branigin LLP cannot represent you until the firm knows there would not be a conflict of interest and the firm determines that it is otherwise able to accept the engagement. Accordingly, please do not send Stuart & Branigin LLP any information or documents until a formal attorney-client relationship has been established through an interview with an attorney and you receive authorization in the form of an engagement letter from Stuart & Branigin LLP. Any information or documents sent prior to your receipt of an engagement letter cannot be treated as confidences, secrets, or protected information of any nature.
Clicking on the link below acknowledges that you understand and agree with this notice.
Barry L. Loftus
bll@stuartlaw.com
Barry believes the best litigation counsel hinges not only on clear insight into the core issues but also on powerful advocacy. For more than 18 years, Barry has been committed to delivering both. Today, a diverse range of clients, including major transportation companies, universities, and regional business owners turn to him to resolve difficult disputes and provide sound counsel on policy and planning matters.
An accomplished general litigator, Barry has particular background in transportation law disputes. Selected to the Indiana Best Lawyers in America list in the field of railroad law, Barry has extensive experience defending major railroad businesses in toxic exposure claims related to asbestos, herbicides, silica, diesel exhaust and chemical solvents. This work includes representing clients in state and federal court, mediation proceedings, and private negotiations, and consulting on discovery and investigations in toxic exposure cases across the country.
Barry also defends trucking companies in tort matters related to injury and property damage. Although he typically resolves disputes before they go to trial, he has successfully tried transportation cases to verdict as a first-chair lawyer, and has prevailed on summary judgment in state and federal courts numerous times.
His experience beyond transportation litigation includes more than a decade representing Midwest universities, including Purdue. He provides guidance on constitutional law as it pertains to university policy and practices, and defense in tort matters involving recreation, equine, and animal law. Barry also contributes to the firm’s work in medical malpractice defense, and represents individuals, families and fiduciaries in highly contested estate matters.
Today, a diverse range of clients, including major transportation companies, universities, and regional business owners turn to him to resolve difficult disputes and provide sound counsel on policy and planning matters.
With deep roots in the Lafayette region, Barry devotes time to counseling area businesses on employment matters and litigation avoidance techniques, and guides individuals on estate planning. He has volunteered his time for numerous nonprofits focused on mental health and legal assistance. Currently, he serves on the board of trustees for Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County.
- Education
- Bar Admissions
- Professional Associations
- Recognitions
- Community Leadership
- Representative Cases
- University of Maryland; Marquette University, B.A.
- Indiana University, Indianapolis, J.D., cum laude
- Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
- National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Defense Research Institute
- Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
- American Bar Association
- Indiana State Bar Association
- Tippecanoe County Bar Association (member and former secretary)
- Rated as 4.6 out of 5.0 in Martindale-Hubbell, a leading peer review survey
- Selected to the Indiana Best Lawyers list in the field of Railroad Law (2018)
Barry has long served Lafayette area nonprofits focused on mental health and legal aid in a variety of leadership roles, including:
- Board of trustees, Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County
- Tippecanoe County representative, District 4 Pro Bono Corp. (2002-2015)
- Lafayette Crisis Center
- President (2014)
- Board member (2009-2014)
- Board president, Legal Aid Corporation of Tippecanoe County (2003-2005)
- Successfully defended major railroad operator at trial against injury claims related to Federal Employers’ Liability Act, with jury finding zero negligence on the part of the railroad.
- On behalf of leading national railroad operator, secured summary judgment in complex toxic exposure litigation involving asbestos and mesothelioma in New Jersey superior court.
- Led defense of agricultural company in a truck accident injury claims case, securing important defense verdict by providing clear evidence of plaintiff fault.
- Achieved favorable mediated settlement in high conflict estate litigation involving estate of majority owner of an LLC and former partners.
- Defending hospital in wrongful death case in state superior court involving alleged delays in care and transfer.
- In federal district and appeals courts, successfully defended university in high-profile civil rights case brought by legislators and taxpayers alleging First Amendment violations.
- For 4-H volunteers and Purdue University, achieved favorable settlement in $20 million brain injury accident claim brought by participant.
- Achieved summary judgment in defense of university trustees in Indiana equine law matter; decision upheld on appeal and denied transfer by the Indiana Supreme Court.
- Defended farmer against damages claims in animal law case involving shooting of dogs in defense of livestock.
Education & Achievements
Education
- University of Maryland; Marquette University, B.A.
- Indiana University, Indianapolis, J.D., cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Professional Associations
- Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
- National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Defense Research Institute
- Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
- American Bar Association
- Indiana State Bar Association
- Tippecanoe County Bar Association (member and former secretary)
Recognitions
- Rated as 4.6 out of 5.0 in Martindale-Hubbell, a leading peer review survey
- Selected to the Indiana Best Lawyers list in the field of Railroad Law (2018)
Community Leadership
Barry has long served Lafayette area nonprofits focused on mental health and legal aid in a variety of leadership roles, including:
- Board of trustees, Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County
- Tippecanoe County representative, District 4 Pro Bono Corp. (2002-2015)
- Lafayette Crisis Center
- President (2014)
- Board member (2009-2014)
- Board president, Legal Aid Corporation of Tippecanoe County (2003-2005)
Representative Cases
- Successfully defended major railroad operator at trial against injury claims related to Federal Employers’ Liability Act, with jury finding zero negligence on the part of the railroad.
- On behalf of leading national railroad operator, secured summary judgment in complex toxic exposure litigation involving asbestos and mesothelioma in New Jersey superior court.
- Led defense of agricultural company in a truck accident injury claims case, securing important defense verdict by providing clear evidence of plaintiff fault.
- Achieved favorable mediated settlement in high conflict estate litigation involving estate of majority owner of an LLC and former partners.
- Defending hospital in wrongful death case in state superior court involving alleged delays in care and transfer.
- In federal district and appeals courts, successfully defended university in high-profile civil rights case brought by legislators and taxpayers alleging First Amendment violations.
- For 4-H volunteers and Purdue University, achieved favorable settlement in $20 million brain injury accident claim brought by participant.
- Achieved summary judgment in defense of university trustees in Indiana equine law matter; decision upheld on appeal and denied transfer by the Indiana Supreme Court.
- Defended farmer against damages claims in animal law case involving shooting of dogs in defense of livestock.