Monica R. Brownewell Smith

Monica R. Brownewell Smith is a litigation attorney, partner, and co-chair of consumer and industrial production litigation at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, and defends businesses in high-stakes product liability and complex commercial disputes. She represents clients in federal and state courts at local, regional, and national levels. Her practice emphasizes practical case management, targeted defense strategies, and efficient use of litigation resources. She handles matters involving consumer law, industrial equipment, chemical substances, machinery, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other products facing significant liability defense claims.

Monica earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from Valparaiso University Law School, where she served as executive managing editor of the Valparaiso University Law Review and received the Corpus Juris Secundum Award. She earned her B.A. in English from DePauw University. She is admitted to practice in Indiana and Florida, as well as several federal district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in federal practice.

Monica develops defense strategies tailored to each client’s case, business priorities, and litigation risks. She has defended national retailers in talcum powder matters and serves as national coordinating counsel in asbestos-related litigation. Her experience also includes class actions and multidistrict litigation involving commercial disputes, product liability claims, and data breaches. She focuses on resolving disputes without unnecessary filings while remaining prepared to advocate effectively when matters proceed through complex litigation.

Monica R. Brownewell Smith brings additional perspective from her service as a law clerk for a US District Court judge. She gained exposure to matters involving tax evasion, bankruptcy, and constitutional challenges during that role. Her background supports a disciplined approach to complex factual and legal questions. She combines courtroom advocacy with attention to business interests, helping companies manage demanding disputes while pursuing practical resolutions suited to each legal matter.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
• Member, Indiana State Bar Association
• Member, The Florida Bar

Licensed State

• Indiana
• Florida

Education

• Valparaiso University Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• DePauw University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)