Robert J. Dignam

Robert J. Dignam regularly serves as a civil mediator. Mr. Dignam is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and he has conducted mediations in a wide variety of matters in a pre-litigation setting and in cases pending in state and federal courts. He also serves as arbitrator to resolve civil litigation disputes.

Mr. Dignam is an experienced civil litigation and appellate lawyer. He represents clients in the areas of employment and labor law, and in many other areas of law. 

Mr. Dignam has attained an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest available designation for ethics and legal ability. Mr. Dignam has been named to Best Lawyers in America in the area of Employment Law. He has also been annually recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer in the areas of Employment and Labor Law.

Mr. Dignam has represented employers in state and federal court in Indiana, in federal courts in Illinois, and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and other employment law agencies. He has argued cases for employers before the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and has represented an employment law client before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Dignam also serves as lead negotiator in labor negotiations. In this role, he has assisted numerous employer clients in reaching collective bargaining agreements with the representative union. In addition, Mr. Dignam has assisted clients with labor arbitration matters.

Mr. Dignam has presented multiple continuing legal education seminars about the mediation process, including the nuances of mediating employment law disputes. He has helped teach future mediators at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, and for many years, Mr. Dignam served as an adjunct professor at Purdue University Northwest, teaching students conflict resolution techniques, and employment law and human resources concepts. 

Mr. Dignam has also presented numerous continuing legal education seminars on labor and employment law topics, including at the request of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, the Lake County Bar Association, and private continuing legal education organizations. He has also authored articles addressing various areas of employment law. In 2018, Mr. Dignam published a Law Review article advocating for a change in an area of labor law for the benefit of employers that has now occurred.

Mr. Dignam frequently serves as a neutral in the role of medical review panel chairman. In this capacity, he guides the parties and panelists through the medical review panel process in accordance with the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act.

Representative Trials and Appellate Decisions

Jury Trials:

• Desmond v. Applegarth Dermatology, Porter Superior Court (2007). (Defense counsel in employment benefits case – Defense Verdict)
• Wadley v. Okalocha, Lake Superior Court (2005). (Defense Counsel in medical malpractice case – Defense Verdict)
• Harness v. Shirley Hildebrand and Starke Memorial Hospital, Starke Circuit Court (2005). (Defense counsel in medical malpractice case – Defense Verdict)
• Ouellet v. Norma Odar and Calumet Anesthesiologists, Lake Superior Court (2002). (Defense Counsel in general negligence case involving fear of AIDS – Defense Verdict)
• Brammer v. Spillman, St. Joseph Superior Court (2001). (Defense Counsel in dental malpractice case – Plaintiff’s Verdict limited to amount offered at mediation.)
• Foster v. St. Anthony Medical Center, Lake Superior Court (1996). (Defense Counsel in food poisoning case – Directed Verdict for Defendant)
• Johnson v. Wiseway, Newton Superior Court (1994).(Defense Counsel in slip and fall case – Defense Verdict)
• Beauprey v. Porte, Porter Superior Court (1998). (Co-Defense Counsel in medical malpractice case – Judgment Notwithstanding Verdict for Defendants)
• Felton v. Harrington, Porter Superior Court (1993). (Defense Counsel in auto accident case – Defense Verdict)
• Brown v. Spartus Corporation, Newton Superior Court (1992).(Co-Plaintiffs’ Counsel in products liability subrogation case – Plaintiffs’ Verdict)
• Tramm v. Porter Memorial Hospital, U.S. District Court, N.D. Ind. (1990). (Co-Defense Counsel in constitutional violation case – Verdict was 20% of plaintiff’s demand)
• Carlin v. Dillabaugh, Lake Circuit Court (1990). (Co-Plaintiffs’ Counsel in house destruction case – Plaintiffs’ Verdict)
• Area Interstate Trucking v. O’Kelly, Newton Superior Court (1990). (Co-Plaintiff’s Counsel in trucking accident case – Plaintiff’s Verdict)
• Leverence v. Nunn, U.S. District Court, N.D. Ind. (1988).(Co-Defense Counsel in trucking accident case – Defense Verdict)
• U.S.A v. Cyprion, U.S. District Court, N.D. Ind. (1986). (Co-counsel for the United States of America in criminal prosecution – Conviction of defendant)

Appellate Decisions:

• Simpson v. Franciscan Alliance, 827 F.3d 656 (7th Cir. 2016) ) – Affirming summary judgment for employer in alleged race, gender, age and disability discrimination case.
• Hill v. Sisters of St. James Hospital and Health Centers, 2013 WL 593954 (N.D. Ill. 2013) – Summary judgment for employer in alleged race discrimination and FMLA retaliation case.
• King v. Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, 2012 WL 165809 (N.D. Ill. 2012) – Summary judgment for employer in alleged race discrimination and retaliation case.
• Syfu v. Quinn, 826 N.E.2d 699 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) – Reversed and remanded with instructions to enter summary judgment for client in medical malpractice case based on failure of plaintiff to produce expert testimony to refute unanimous panel opinion.
• Levy v. Newell, 822 N.E.2d 234 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) – Reversed and remanded with instructions to enter summary judgment for client in medical malpractice case based on statute of limitations defense. (Co-Appellee’s Counsel was Partner, Michelle P. Burchett)
• Stahl v. St. Anthony Medical Center, 2004 WL 1445937 (7th Cir. 2004) ) – Affirming summary judgment for employer in alleged gender discrimination case.
• Christian v. St. Anthony’s Medical Center, 117 F.3d 1051 (7th Cir. 1997); cert denied 118 S. Ct. 1304 (1998) – Affirming summary judgment for employer in alleged disability discrimination case.
• Lavery v. Southlake Center for Mental Health, 566 N.E. 2d 1055 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991) – Affirming summary judgment for employer in alleged wrongful discharge case.

Publications and Presentations:

Presentations:

Honors

• 2020 National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• 2020 Best Lawyers in America – Employment Law, Management
• 2020 Indiana Super Lawyer – Labor and Employment Law
• 2018 Indiana Super Lawyer – Labor and Employment Law
• 2017 Indiana Super Lawyer – Labor and Employment Law
• 2016 Indiana Super Lawyer – Labor and Employment Law
• 2015 Indiana Super Lawyer – Labor and Employment Law
• 2014-present Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Status
• 2014-present AVVO Lawyer Rating by Peers: 10.0/10.0
• 2012 Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award

Education

• Graduate degree: Doctor of Jurisprudence, May 18, 1986; Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana.
• Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, May 23, 1983; Saint Xavier University, Chicago, Illinois.

Bar Memberships

State of Indiana; United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; and United States Supreme Court.

Association Memberships

Indiana State Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Council Member of Indiana State Bar Association; Lake County Bar Association; Indiana Association of Mediators; and Society for Human Resources Management of Northwest Indiana.