Jim Strenski
Attorney at Law
Life at PLG:
Represents insurance companies in insurance coverage, insurance bad faith litigation, and third-party defense of insureds.
Advises insurance companies pre-suit on issues of coverage and conducts examinations under oath.
Over 25 years of experience in handling jury trials, summary judgment hearings, and arbitrations.
Has served as legal counsel in numerous trials as both first and second chair.
Argued before the Indiana Court of Appeals, Indiana Supreme Court, and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Selected to the Indiana Super Lawyers® list in 2009, 2011-2012, 2018-2022.
Life Before PLG:
Partner at Indianapolis law firm, focusing on insurance bad faith, coverage, and personal injury defense.
Member of litigation department at Bingham McHale from 1994-2009.
Graduated from Georgetown University (B.S. 1990); Indiana University Maurer School of Law (J.D. 1994).
Life Beyond PLG:
Active with the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana, Indianapolis Bar Association, Georgetown University Alumni Association and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Serves on IndyBar’s Insurance Coverage Section Executive Committee, and the boards of Hoosier Burn Camp and Broad Ripple Haverford Little League.
Enjoys spending time with his three children, traveling and fishing, and is a lifelong, die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs.
Selected Cases:
Stephen Duckworth v. Erie Insurance Exchange (Marion County, Indiana, 2019) — defense of insurer in coverage action (trial).
Erie Insurance Exchange v. Troy and Teresa Sams (LaGrange County, Indiana, 2014) — prosecution of declaratory judgment action (trial).
Barto v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Jasper County, Indiana, 2013) — defense of insurer in coverage and bad faith action (trial).
Missig v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Howard County, Indiana, 2012) —defense of insurer in coverage action at trial and appellate level (trial and appeal).
Wesley v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Bartholomew County, Indiana, 2012) —defense of insurer in coverage action (trial).
Berry v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Tippecanoe County, Indiana, 2012) —defense of insurer in coverage action involving material misrepresentations (trial).
William Morris v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Southern District of Indiana, 2011) —defense of insurer in coverage and bad faith action involving arson (trial).
Williams & Bluitt Funeral Home v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Marion County, Indiana, 2010) — defense of insurer in coverage action (trial).
Danny Jones v. Erie Insurance Exchange (Clark County, Indiana, 2009) — Defense of insurer in coverage and bad faith action involving arson (trial).
Keown v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Scott County, Indiana, 2006) — defense of insurer in coverage and bad faith action stemming from roof damage (trial).
Blumenstock v. Erie Insurance Exchange (Putnam County, Indiana, 2004) — defense of insurer in coverage and bad faith case (trial).
Achey v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (Northern District of Indiana, 2003) — defense of insurer in arson and bad faith case (trial).
Schuman v. Kobets (Indiana, 1999) — representation of defendant in histoplasmosis case (summary judgment and appeal).
Straley v. Kimberly, et al. (Indiana Court of Appeals, 1997) — representation of defendant in gas explosion case; argued case in front of the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court (summary judgment and appeal).
Presentations/Insights:
Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana Annual Conference — 2012, 2017, 2018 speaker.
USLAW Insurance Track Seminar, speaker on post-litigation bad faith —Spring 2007.
NBI Seminar, “Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Indiana” — 2005, 2007 speaker.
“Magwerks and Post-Litigation Bad Faith Under Indiana Law: Brave New World or Same Old Song and Dance?” — 2006.
“Current State of Indiana Law Regarding 'Apex' Depositions” — Fall 2005.
“Indiana Bad Faith Law 10 Years After Erie: Some Questions Answered and Others Raised” — 2004.
