Susan E. Cline

Susan Cline concentrates her practice in healthcare and medical malpractice. She has represented physicians, oral
surgeons, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, home health agencies, mental health facilities, hospitals and long term care facilities in the defense of medical negligence claims, and offers assistance to healthcare providers on administrative issues related to their practices.

Susan also represents the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance in the defense of the Indiana
Patients Compensation Fund in claims for excess damages resulting from medical negligence. Susan has tried
medical negligence cases before various state courts in Indiana and before the United States District Court. She has
argued appeals before the Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. She is a native of North Vernon, Indiana,
and has represented a number of healthcare providers in southern Indiana.

Susan frequently speaks on the topic of medical malpractice, and for many years made an annual presentation to graduating nurses at her alma mater, the University of Indianapolis.

Areas of Practice

• Medical Malpractice

Education

• Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, J.D., 1990
  • Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, 3d Top Oralist, Regional Competition,
    Wayne State University, 1989
  • Coach, Indiana University team, Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, New
    York University, 1990
• University of Indianapolis, B.S., magna cum laude, 1983
• Roosevelt University, Legal Assistant, honors certificate, 1983

Bar Admission

• State of Indiana, 1990

Courts of Practice

• U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1997
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2002

Representative Cases

•  Doe v. Ind. Dep’t of Ins., Ind. Patients Comp. Fund, 194 N.E.3d 1197 (Ind. Ct. App. 2022). Transfer denied by Doe v. Ind. Dep’t of Ins., 2023 Ind. LEXIS 93.
• IU Health v. Meece, 2019 Ind. App. Unpub. LEXIS 647.
• Ind. Patients Comp. Fund v. Holcomb, 17 N.E.3d 255 (Ind. 2014).
• Robertson v. B.O., 977 N.E.2d 341 (Ind. 2012).
• McCabe v. Commr, 949 N.E.2d 816 (Ind. 2001).
• H.D. v. BHC Meadows Hosp., Inc., 884 N.E.2d 849 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).
• Atterholt v. Robinson, 872 N.E.2d 633 (Ind. Ct. App 2007).
• Ind. Patients Comp. Fund v. Butcher, 863 N.E.2d 11 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
• Ind. Patients Comp. Fund v. Winkle, 863 N.E.2d 1 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), reh’g denied.
• Ind. Patients Comp. Fund v. Brewer, 2007 Ind. App. Unpub. LEXIS 877 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
• Ind. Patients Comp. Fund v. HoeflinOakley, 2007 Ind. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1430 (ind. Ct. App. 2007).
• Schriber v. Anonymous, 848 N.E.2d 1061 (Ind. 2006).
• Dughaish v. Cobb, 729 N.E.2d 159 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000), trans. denied.

Honors & Awards

• MartindaleHubbellPeer Review Rated AV
• The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Medical Malpractice Law Defendants, 2012-2024
  • Best Lawyers 2014 Indianapolis Medical Malpractice Law Defendants Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers 2012 Indianapolis Medical Malpractice Law Defendants Lawyer of the Year
• Indiana Super Lawyers, 2012-2024
  • Top 25 Women, Indiana Super Lawyers, 2013-2014, 2018
• Indianapolis Bar Foundation, Distinguished Fellow, 2015
• US. News – Best Lawyers, “Best Law Firms:”, Cline Law Group, LLC, 2017-2018, 2022-2024

Professional Associations & Appointments

• Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
• Indiana State Bar Association
• Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Counsel to the President, 2015
• Marion County Judicial Selection Committee – January 2018-present

Recent Presentations

• “Five Years and Ten Tough Cases the Judicial ReWriting of the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act,” Locke
  Reynolds Litigation Symposium, 2000.

• “Nursing Home Negligence in Indiana”, Lorman Education Services, 2001.
• “64 Tips for Personal Injury Damages”, Physical Pain and Suffering Claims, 2002.
• “Risk Management for the Dental Practice,” 2002.
• “Risk Management for the Office Practice”, Hoosier Health PAHCOM Chapter of Office Administrators,
  2003.
• “Countdown to Trial: A Crash Course in Trial Preparation for Paralegals,” Institute for Paralegal Education,
  2007.
• “Discovery and Admission of Medical Records”, Indianapolis Bar Association, October 2008.
• “Indiana Medical Malpractice Act”, University of Indianapolis School of Nursing, 2011.
• “Medical Malpractice in Indiana, the Nurses Perspective,” a seminar for graduating nurses, University of
  Indianapolis, April 16, 2013.
• “Developing Confidence in Your Practice”, Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana Women in the Law, November
  21, 2014.
• “Medical Malpractice in Indiana, the Nurses Perspective,” a seminar for graduating nurses, University of
  Indianapolis, April 16, 2015.
• “Admission of Medical Expert Testimony and Direct Examination of Doctors”, National Business Institute, July 29, 2016.
• “The Business of Law”, Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana Women in the Law, November 18, 2016.
• “Planning Your First Personal Injury Case,” Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, 2017.
• “Building Your Civil Litigation Skills”, National Business Institute, April 20, 2018.

Civic & Community Involvement

• Habitat for Humanity, Development Committee, 1997
• The Peoples Burn Foundation
  • Board of Directors, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013
  • President, 2013
  • Vice President of the Board of Directors, 2006, 2007
• University of Indianapolis Alumni Mentor Program, 2017
• Board of Directors – Humane Society of Indianapolis 2018-2021
  • Secretary to the Board of Directors 2019-2020
  • Vice Chair of the Board of Directors 2020
• Advisory Board – Paralegal program – IUPUI 2015-present
• Indiana University McKinney School of Law Class Agent, Class of 1990 2016-2022
• CLG Team Captain Komen Race for the Cure 2016-2018
• Pink Honor Roll – Fundraising – Komen Race for the Cure 2015