Sean M. Hirschten practices in a variety of areas including insurance coverage, complex litigation, environmental and business services. His insurance coverage cases have involved multi-million dollar international toxic torts, and have dealt with policies ranging from commercial general liability (“CGL”), directors and officers (“D&O”), first-party property, uninsured and underinsured motorists (“UM/UIM”), fidelity, crime, etc. He has argued before numerous tribunals, including the Indiana Supreme Court.
In the environmental field he has litigated cases involving the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), Indiana’s Environmental Liability Act (“ELA”), and other statutory and common-law claims. His business litigation experience has involved everything from contract disputes over commissions owed to brokers to corporate dissolutions, and many other things in between.
Awards
- 2021-2025, Listed in Best Lawyers in America® – Insurance Law
- 2014-2020, Selected for inclusion in Indiana Rising Stars – Insurance Coverage
- 2010, Order of the Coif
- 2009, Articles Editor – Indiana Law Journal
- 2007-2009 Law School Merit Scholarship
Education
- J.D., 2010, magna cum laude, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
- M.A., 2006, History/Cherokee Studies, Western Carolina University
- B.A., 1999, History, Appalachian State University
Bar Admissions
- State of Indiana, 2010
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 2010
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 2010
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2012
- Thomson Inc. v. Ins. Co. of N. Am. 11 N.E.3d 982 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014)
- Thomson Inc. v. XL Ins. Am., Inc., 22 N.E.3d 809 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014)
- NCAA v. ACE Am. Ins. Co. et al., No. 49D10-1601-PL-001570 (Marion Super. Ct.)
- State Auto. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Flexdar, Inc., 964 N.E.2d 845 (Ind. 2012)
- Robinson v. Erie Ins. Exch., 9 N.E.3d 673 (Ind. 2014)
- Kamin v Travelers Cas. & Surety Co., No. 1:13-cv-01593-JMS-TAB (S.D. Ind. Mar. 6, 2014)
- NCC Sales, LLC v. Quad/Med, LLC et al., No. 49D03-1512-PL-040556 (Marion Super. Ct.)
Professional Affiliations
- Chair, Indianapolis Bar Association Environmental Law Section (2017)
- Member, Indiana State Bar Association
- Member, Indianapolis Bar Association
Community Affiliations
- Election Inspector Hotline Operator, Marion County Board of Elections, 2010
- Indianapolis Bar Association CLE Tour Guide for “Straight Talk from the City-County Building,” 2010
- Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project, 2009-2010
- Inmate Legal Assistance Project, 2007-2008
2020 | Co-Presenter
Intersection of Bankruptcy and Insurance Law Webinar, Indianapolis Bar Association
2017 | Speaking Engagement
Speaker, “Commercial General Liability (CGL) Policy: The Complete Guide” – National Business Institute Continuing Legal Education
2016 | Speaking Engagement
Speaker, “Negotiating Claims with Insurance Companies” National Business Institute Continuing Legal Education
2014 | Speaking Engagement
Speaker, “Advanced Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Law” National Business Institute Continuing Legal Education
2012 | Speaking Engagement
Speaker, “Litigating Insurance Coverage Claims: From Start to Finish” – National Business Institute Continuing Legal Education
2012 | Publication
“Environmental Coverage Law Update” in the Indiana State Bar Association Environmental Section Newsletter.
2012 | Speaking Engagement
Co-Presenter, Introduction to Indiana Insurance Coverage: How to Get Great Outcomes for Your Client and Get Paid in the Process, Indianapolis Bar Association