Laura Gard, Partner

Laura Gard is a Partner in the Merrillville office.  She is admitted to practice in both Indiana and Illinois. Her practice currently focuses on Employment, Worker’s Compensation, Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith, and General Insurance Defense Litigation.   Laura regularly handles and responds to Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) and Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) charges. She also provides workers compensation advice and guidance to employers and insurance carriers on pre-litigation matters such as compensability, settlement value, and independent medical examination (IME) referrals. Once in litigation, she defends claims before the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judges and Boards.  Laura routinely practices in all state and federal courts in Indiana in other matters of Insurance Defense, including but not limited to Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith and Transportation matters.  Laura is active in several organizations including Defense Research Institute (DRI) which she serves as the Workers Compensation, Vice-Chair of Communications; Young Lawyers, Steering Committee, Chair of Wellness Sub-Committee; Diversity and Inclusion, Steering Committee; and Women in Law, Marketing.

Prior to law school, Laura graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Management and understands the importance of great customer service. She strives to provide each of her clients with efficient and effective representation while maintaining thorough communication.  She is a member of various professional legal organizations, currently serves on the Steering Committee of several divisions of Defense Research Institute (DRI), and is a member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.