Elizabeth S. Schmitt
Partner
contact info
Fax: (317) 663-2872
Practice Areas
Elizabeth is an experienced commercial litigator, having handled a variety of construction-related matters, as well as business and insurance disputes. Elizabeth has resolved numerous cases before litigation is initiated and through mediation, but when the situation requires it, has also taken matters to trial and through the appeals process.
Construction projects sometimes go awry, and resulting disputes require skilled representation and creative thinking to find a resolution. With her breadth of litigation experience, Elizabeth can approach construction disputes from a unique perspective, allowing her to provide clients with the best strategy to bring those matters to a conclusion.
Elizabeth joined Easter & Cavosie in 2021. Prior to joining the firm, Elizabeth served as a judicial clerk on the Indiana Court of Appeals, and gained significant litigation experience with Dinsmore & Shohl, a large national firm in downtown Indianapolis.
Experience
- Elizabeth has handled numerous disputes involving whether coverage was afforded under various insurance contracts.
- In 2018-2019, Elizabeth successfully defended a concrete delivery company in a wrongful death case, obtaining a dismissal against her client.
- In 2018, Elizabeth was co-counsel in a high-value business dispute, involving claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference. After Elizabeth drafted the complaint on behalf of her clients, the matter quickly resolved in a favorable outcome.
- In 2019, Elizabeth was co-counsel defending an individual who was being sued for the accidental death of a minor. The matter went up to the Indiana Court of Appeals, where Elizabeth was responsible for all briefing. The panel interpreted the applicable statutory language for the first time, resulting in a favorable opinion.
- Elizabeth successfully defended a large regional homebuilder against a construction defect claim, bringing the matter to a favorable resolution after a years-long dispute.
- From 2021-2024, Elizabeth represented a home builder against a claim of fraudulent inducement relating to a Purchase Agreement. Elizabeth obtained a favorable summary judgment ruling on behalf of her client, and handled the homeowners’ subsequent appeal of that ruling, which was ultimately denied.
- In 2023-2024, Elizabeth represented a national home builder in a lawsuit involving a catastrophic injury to a sub-contractor, helping to negotiate a resolution to the matter.
- In 2024, Elizabeth successfully brought a seven-year piece of litigation involving a manufacturer’s representative to a resolution, defending a wide range of claims from breach of contract to tortious interference.
- Elizabeth has also handled a variety of matters relating to real estate, mechanic’s liens, and contract interpretation.
Speeches & Publications
- DTCI: COA Allows Medical Bills in PI Suit Seeking Only Damages, The Indiana Lawyer, 2021
- Low-Impact Rear-End Collisions: A Case Study, Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana Annual Conference, 2016
- The Dangers of Using Fraud Detection Methods: Why the Reid Technique and Statement Analysis May be Problematic, Defense Research Institute’s In-House Defense Quarterly, 2015
Admissions
- State – Indiana
- Federal – Northern and Southern District of Indiana
Professional Affiliations
- Indiana State Bar Association
- Indianapolis Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Education
- DePauw University, B.A, magna cum laude, 2008
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, J.D., 2011
- Associate Notes Editor for Federal Communications Law Journal
- Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition Brief Writing Honors
Awards
- Indiana Super Lawyers, 2024-2025
- Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2018-2021
- Best Lawyers Ones to Watch, 2021-2025
- Indiana Super Lawyers, 2024 – 2026
- Indianapolis Monthly Top Lawyers, 2026
Personal
- Indiana High School Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee, 2024