Michael E. Tolbert

Attorney biography

Michael E. Tolbert is a Partner with the Valparaiso / Merrillville firm of Hoeppner, Wagner and Evans and is presently the Chair of the firm's Litigation Segment. His practice is concentrated in the areas of complex civil litigation, bad faith insurance litigation, wrongful death actions, catastrophic personal injury cases and employment related litigation. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law where he received his juris doctorate, cum laude, in the year 2000 and was also the recipient of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award.

Michael represents a wide variety of clients in complex litigation matters. His clients range from large insurance companies to small family run businesses. He is a respected litigator and a frequent presenter at instructional trial seminars such as How to Get Your Expert Testimony Admitted into Evidence in Indiana and Defense Strategies in Personal Injury Cases. He also is an instructional speaker at a seminar entitled, Bridge the Gap, which is aimed at providing new lawyers helpful practice tips as they enter the legal profession.

Michael was appointed to Indiana's Commission for Continuing Legal Education by the Indiana Supreme Court and presently serves as Chair of the Commission. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Gary Chamber of Commerce and is presently on the Board of Directors for the not for profit organization Housing Opportunities, Inc. Michael is an active Board member for the not for profit organization Triumphant Transitions, Inc., a group geared at providing professional development services to men and women in rehabilitation who are attempting to transition into independent living.

Michael has served, with distinction, as Chair of the Kimbrough Minority Bar Association and the President of the Porter County Chapter of the American Inns of Court. He also served on the Board of Governors for the Indiana State Bar Association and presently sits on the Association's Diversity Subcommittee.