Joanne R. Sommers

Joanne R. Sommers is a partner at Plews Shadley Racher & Braun in Indianapolis. Her practice combines litigation and transactional work, with a strong focus on insurance coverage, environmental matters, real estate, and business law. Joanne represents policyholders in property and liability insurance disputes and insurance agent liability litigation. She also advises buyers, sellers, start-ups, and established businesses on transactions, corporate governance, employment matters, and legal issues involving environmentally impacted properties.

Joanne earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2015 and her B.A., summa cum laude, from Marquette University in 2011. Before joining the firm as an attorney, she served as a law clerk at Plews Shadley Racher & Braun. She also completed judicial internships with judges of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and Marion Superior Court, strengthening her foundation in litigation, legal analysis, and courtroom procedure.

Joanne handles insurance coverage matters involving commercial general liability, umbrella liability, first-party property, directors and officers, errors and omissions, and pollution liability policies. She also prosecutes and defends environmental cost recovery claims and other complex commercial disputes involving contracts, construction defects, and real estate. On the transactional side, Joanne assists with asset and stock transactions from contract drafting and negotiation through due diligence and closing, including deals involving environmental concerns and potential insurance recovery.

Joanne R. Sommers has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for Litigation – Insurance and has been recognized among Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars. She received The Indiana Lawyer’s Up and Coming Lawyer Award in 2022 and was a finalist for Indy’s Best and Brightest in the Law category in 2024. Joanne is also active in professional and community organizations, including the Environmental Law Network and local nonprofit boards. Her broad litigation and transactional experience helps clients evaluate risk and pursue practical, cost-effective solutions.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP
• Member, Indiana State Bar Association
• Member, Indianapolis Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association

Licensed State

• Indiana

Education

• Indiana University, Robert H. McKinney School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Marquette University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)