Stephen M. Wagner

Stephen M. Wagner is a trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing injury victims in state and federal courts across the country. His practice focuses on serious personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights, product liability, and mass tort cases. Over his career, he has recovered more than $200 million for clients and secured multiple 7-figure verdicts.

Stephen graduated as valedictorian from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in 1987. He earned his B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame in 1991. He later received his J.D., cum laude, from the Indiana School of Law – Bloomington in 1994.

Stephen was accepted into the U.S. Attorney General’s Honors Program and trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. He worked for the Department of Justice in Philadelphia from 1994-1995 before returning to private practice in Indianapolis. In 1997, he founded his own firm and later expanded his practice to represent injury victims statewide and nationwide.

Stephen practices exclusively in plaintiff’s personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights violations, police brutality, jail death, product liability, medical malpractice, and mass tort litigation. He has tried numerous cases to juries in Indiana and other states, including auto and truck accident cases, medical malpractice claims, and premises liability matters, and has obtained several 8-figure recoveries.

Stephen has been recognized as the Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year (2006) by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. He has been selected as an “Indiana Super Lawyer” for more than 20 years (2004, 2006-2025) and named a Top 50 Personal Injury Attorney by Super Lawyer magazine (2018-2025). He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation and a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 – Civil Plaintiff.

Stephen M. Wagner continues to advocate for individuals and families facing powerful opponents, bringing courtroom skill, preparation, and determination to every case he handles.

Law Office Affiliations

• Co-founder & Partner, Wagner Reese, LLP
• Member, Indiana State Bar Association
• Member, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association
• Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation

Licensed State

• Indiana

Education

• Indiana School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Notre Dame
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges