Christopher J. Braun

Christopher J. Braun is a partner and name partner at Plews Shadley Racher & Braun in Indianapolis. His practice focuses on complex litigation, environmental law, business matters, insurance coverage, real estate, transactions, and administrative and legislative issues. He was elected to serve as the firm’s Managing Partner in 2021. Since 1993, Chris has also served as General Counsel to the Indiana Food & Fuel Association, advising on matters affecting the petroleum industry.

Chris earned his J.D. from Southern Methodist University in 1984 and a B.A. in Political Science from Wabash College in 1981. He also studied political science and English at the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Oxford, England. His academic background provides a foundation for a practice involving litigation, environmental regulation, business transactions, and legislative matters. Chris is admitted in Indiana and the District of Columbia and before several federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.

Chris has represented individuals and corporate clients in hundreds of complex claims involving breach of contract, business litigation, toxic torts, real estate, insurance coverage, and environmental matters. As plaintiff’s counsel, he has served as lead counsel in numerous matters resulting in recoveries exceeding $1 million. His transactional work includes representing buyers and sellers of environmentally impacted properties and businesses. He has also drafted numerous Indiana environmental statutes and regulations and regularly appeared before legislative committees on environmental and petroleum-related issues.

Christopher J. Braun has received extensive professional recognition for his environmental and litigation work. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation for many years and has been recognized by Indiana Super Lawyers, including selection among Indiana’s Top 50 lawyers. He is a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation. Chris has also served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, teaching advanced trial techniques and alternative dispute resolution.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP
• Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers
• Member, American Bar Association Sections Litigation
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
• Member, Indiana State Bar Association
• Member, Indiana State Bar Association Litigation and Environmental Sections
• Member, Indianapolis Bar Association
• Member, Indiana Bar Foundation

Licensed State

• Indiana
• District of Columbia

Education

• Southern Methodist University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Wabash College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)