John P. Higgins

Partner
Office: Indianapolis
jhiggins@kdlegal.com
p: 317-238-6217
f: 317-636-1507

John P. Higgins is a Partner in Krieg DeVault's Litigation and Dispute Resolution Services. He concentrates his practice on representing construction industry clients - ranging from contractors, remodelers, and restoration providers to developers and related businesses - in complex disputes that can make or break a company. He handles construction disputes of all scales, from homeowner and smaller projects to significant multiparty, multimillion-dollar litigation involving defects, delays, breaches, insurance coverage battles, and regulatory enforcement. Clients turn to John when the outcome truly matters, trusting his strategic counsel to protect their operations, reputation, and bottom line.

A recognized leader in construction law, John routinely advises clients on compliance with construction and consumer protection statutes, defends them against enforcement actions and contested claims, and develops aggressive yet efficient strategies for mechanics' liens, collections, and maximizing insurance recoveries while steering clear of regulatory pitfalls. His deep industry knowledge enables him to anticipate challenges unique to those who build, delivering practical solutions that minimize risk and drive favorable resolutions, whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or trial. John’s clients have confidence that John will never sacrifice their best interests for a quick settlement; John frequently tries cases when negotiation fails to produce an optimal outcome.

When businesses face litigation that threatens their future, they rely on John for unflinching advocacy, industry-specific insight, and a track record of success.

Experience

Representative Experience

Served as lead counsel in construction and business disputes ranging from homeowner disagreements to multimillion dollar litigation.
Served as co-counsel for contractors and home improvement providers in matters involving alleged violations of state construction and consumer protection laws.

Professional Associations

Member, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Legal Ethics Committee, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Attorney Fee Dispute Committee, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Board of Law Examiners, Committee on Character and Fitness

Awards & Recognitions

2026 Top Lawyers in Indianapolis, Indianapolis Monthly
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, 2023
- Business Organizations
- Construction Law
Best Lawyers in America® 2024-2026
- Litigation
- Real Estate
- Business Organizations, 2026
- Construction Law, 2026
American Bankruptcy Institute’s Medal of Excellence
Bingham Award
Indiana Law Review, Editor
Indiana Lawyer Leadership in Law – “Up and Coming”, 2020
Indiana Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, 2018 - 2020
Graduate, National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Program

Seminars

The Legal Stuff for Roofing Contractors, One Industry, One Model, Presenter, 2022

Credentials

Education

J.D., magna cum laude, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2012
B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, 2009

Bar & Court Admissions

Indiana, 2012
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Supreme Court

Practices & Industries

Practices

Insights

Litigation

The Illinois Secretary of State Office Offers Corporate Franchise Tax Penalty and Interest Amnesty until November 17, 2025

October 17, 2025

Firm News and Events

10 Krieg DeVault Attorneys Named to 2026 Best Lawyers in America® Listing; 2 Receive Best Lawyers Ones to Watch® in America Designation

August 21, 2025

Business

Hold Your Filings: Preliminary Injunction Placed on Government Enforcement of CTA and Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements

December 4, 2024

Business

Partner and Firm Executive Committee Member Brian M. Heaton Elected to Serve as President of the Board of Directors of the Association for Corporate Growth Indiana

May 23, 2024

Firm News and Events

Known By the Successful Company We Keep® - Krieg DeVault Issues Annual Ad Showcasing Transactions from Many of Our Valued and Successful Clients

January 30, 2023

Real Estate

Owners / GCs / Subs / Suppliers / Lessors – Check Your Contracts. Court of Appeals Decision Highlights Challenges when Dispute Resolution Process Varies

August 25, 2022

Business

Three Minute Update – Protecting Your Business: Confidentiality Agreements

August 23, 2022

Firm News and Events

13 Krieg DeVault Attorneys Recognized by 2023 Best Lawyers®; 7 Named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America® Listing; 1 Receives “Lawyer of the Year” Designation; 6 Receive “Ones to Watch” Designation

August 18, 2022

Business

Krieg DeVault Partners John B. Baxter and Robert A. Greising Named to Chambers USA 2022 List; Firm Named to Chambers USA 2022 List for Real Estate

June 22, 2022

Litigation

U.S. House of Representatives Reintroduces the MORE Act: Will 2021 be the Year Federal Cannabis Prohibition Finally Ends?

June 14, 2021

Litigation

Want to Change a Joint Account? Put it in Writing!

May 26, 2021

Secured Lender

Indiana Supreme Court Curtails Attempted Expansion of Exceptions to General Rule Regarding Successor Liability in Corporate Transactions

May 7, 2021

Litigation

SEA 370 Signed Into Law, Effective Immediately

April 23, 2021

Secured Lender

Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act Passes U.S. House…Again

April 20, 2021

Business

Governor Holcomb Signs Legislation Modifying Indiana’s Zero Tolerance Per Se Driving Law for Marijuana or Marijuana Metabolite

April 20, 2021

Litigation

Supreme Court Confirms that to Violate the TCPA your Automatic Telephone System Must Use a Random or Sequential Generator

April 7, 2021

Business

Indiana House Votes to Reverse Indiana’s Ban on Smokable Hemp

February 24, 2021

Litigation

Indiana Supreme Court Affirms Freedom of Contract Principles in Closely Held Company Valuation Case: Choose Your Words Carefully

February 2, 2021

Business

Businesses That File Indiana Sales and Withholding Taxes Must Transition Accounts to New Indiana Department of Revenue System Starting September 8, 2020

September 8, 2020

Labor and Employment

Tax-Exempt Organizations Should be Prepared to File and Pay the Section 4960 Excise Tax on Executive Compensation by July 15, 2020

June 29, 2020

Business

IRS Releases FAQs on Tax Treatment of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under CARES Act

May 10, 2020

Thought Leadership

UPDATED - Paycheck Protection Program: Confirm the Necessity or Return the Funds

May 5, 2020

Thought Leadership

Further Relief for Indiana Businesses During the Time of COVID-19: Remote Meetings and Suspending Five-Year Limit on Reinstatements

May 4, 2020

Thought Leadership

SBA Issues Additional Interim Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program Clarifying Treatment of Self-Employment and Partner Income

April 15, 2020

Thought Leadership

Insurance Coverage for COVID-19: Six Steps to Help Your Business Maximize Insurance Coverage That May Be Available to Offset COVID-19 Losses and Claims

March 29, 2020

Thought Leadership

Corben A. Lee Joins Krieg DeVault's Business, Acquisitions, and Securities and Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Groups

January 27, 2019

Firm News and Events

Daniel Tychonievich Joins Krieg DeVault's Business, Acquisitions, and Securities Practice Group; will focus on Intellectual Property and Technology Matters

January 27, 2019

Firm News and Events

When businesses face litigation that threatens their future, they rely on John for unflinching advocacy, industry-specific insight, and a track record of success.

Representative Experience

Served as lead counsel in construction and business disputes ranging from homeowner disagreements to multimillion dollar litigation.
Served as co-counsel for contractors and home improvement providers in matters involving alleged violations of state construction and consumer protection laws.

Professional Associations

Member, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Legal Ethics Committee, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Attorney Fee Dispute Committee, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Board of Law Examiners, Committee on Character and Fitness

Awards & Recognitions

2026 Top Lawyers in Indianapolis, Indianapolis Monthly
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, 2023
- Business Organizations
- Construction Law
Best Lawyers in America® 2024-2026
- Litigation
- Real Estate
- Business Organizations, 2026
- Construction Law, 2026
American Bankruptcy Institute’s Medal of Excellence
Bingham Award
Indiana Law Review, Editor
Indiana Lawyer Leadership in Law – “Up and Coming”, 2020
Indiana Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, 2018 - 2020
Graduate, National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Program

Seminars

The Legal Stuff for Roofing Contractors, One Industry, One Model, Presenter, 2022

Education

J.D., magna cum laude, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2012
B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, 2009