Elizabeth G. Russell

Partner

Elizabeth Russell is a member of the firm's Litigation, Employment Law and Health Care Practice Groups and concentrates her practice primarily in employment, health care and commercial litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. Her experience in litigation and employment law spans 26 years. She has practiced before the EEOC, Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Indiana Worker's Compensation Board, Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Indiana and United States Departments of Labor, National Labor Relations Board and various state professional licensing boards. She advises clients as to all federal, state and local employment law regulations and statutes, as well as providing employment and risk management counselling. Ms. Russell served as the Chair of the firm's Employment Law practice group for eight years and Chair of the firm's Associates Committee for five years. She works with public and private sector employers in all industries.

Representative Experience

Successfully handled many summary judgment issues in federal court on various employment law issues
Represented ambulance service in United States Department of Labor audit
Assisted engineering company holding federal contract in formulating Affirmative Action Plan
Drafted numerous employment contracts and severance agreements
Assisted major furniture manufacturer with reduction in force and WARN compliance following closing of three plants
Authored employment policies and employee handbooks for financial institutions, hospitals, medical practices, benefit consulting firm, insurance company and wholesale grocery store distributor
Defended and prosecuted numerous non-compete, non-solicitation, confidentiality agreement and trade secret cases with respect to sales of insurance and employee welfare benefits, financial services, packaging and container products, agricultural products, convention booth set-ups and tear-downs and the provision of medical services
Assisted in multi-million dollar class action involving significant property damage caused by sewer explosion

Education

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana (J.D., 1983)
DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana (B.A., cum laude, 1979)

Bar Admissions

Indiana, 1988
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 1988
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
Kentucky, 1983
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, 1983
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, 1983

Professional Associations

Kentucky Bar Association-Member
Indianapolis Bar Association-Member and Past Chair, Litigation Section
Indiana State Bar Association-Member
Seventh Circuit Bar Association- Member; Past Governor on Board of Governors; and Past Chair, Facilities and Arrangements for annual joint meeting with judicial conference
Indianapolis Law Club-Past President
Sagamore American Inn of Court-one of founding Members; Executive Committee; and Past President, Vice President, and Membership Chair
Character & Fitness Committee for Application to Indiana Bar, Indiana Supreme Court-Member
Indianapolis Bar Foundation-Member, Co-Chair Marketing Committee, Past Counsel to Board

Awards and Recognitions

Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation

Seminars and Presentations

Instructor in trial advocacy, National Institute of Trial Advocacy
Avoiding Sexual Harassment, Staff of Terre Haute Regional Hospital
How to Avoid Litigation by Potential/Current Employers, Community Bankers Association of Indiana
The Top 10 Employment Law Mistakes for General Practitioners, Indianapolis Bar Association and Association of Corporate Counsel
Sexual Harassment/Gender Equity, Treasury Management Association of Indiana
Staying Ahead of the Free Choice Act
FMLA: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going, Midwestern Association of State Mental Health Organizations
FMLA Update, Council on Education and Management
Avoiding Sexual Harassment, Wishard Health Services
Lender Liability - Theories of Liability, Case Law and Litigation Consideration, Lorman
Preventing Sexual Discrimination and Harassment, ITT Educational Services, Inc.

Publications

"Americans With Disabilities Act Title 42, Chapter 126: Commentaries and Statutes", National Trial Advocacy Publication, 2005
"Sexual Comments, Behavior Create Minefield in the Health Care Setting", ED Legal Letter, Vol. 20, No. 4 (April 2009), published by AHC Media LLC