Jerry Garau represents individuals in medical malpractice and serious personal injury claims. He was named Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2019 after securing a $15 million verdict in a medical malpractice action and having that verdict affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Webster v. CDI Ind., LLC, 917 F3d 574 (7th Cir. 2019). He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only fellowship of exemplary trial lawyers from the U.S. and Canada. Membership in ACTL is limited to 1% of the total lawyer population in the U.S. and Canada. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and has been named an Indiana Super Lawyer every year since 2012.
Jerry began his career in 1986 after graduating with honors from the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis. He has secured verdicts for individuals throughout the state of Indiana, and has argued before the Indiana Court of Appeals, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He has served on the executive committee of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is currently secretary of the organization.
In 1997, Jerry and four other attorneys started a firm focused on representing victims of medical malpractice. That firm, now known as Garau Germano, P.C., has its offices in Indianapolis and represents individuals throughout the state. In addition to the firm's work in medical malpractice, the firm also represents individuals in claims involving serious personal injury, sexual abuse, and nursing home negligence.
Current Employment Position
Attorney
Professional Associations
Indianapolis Bar Association
Indiana State Bar Association, Member, 1986
American Association for Justice
Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Committee
American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
American Board of Trial Advocates
Indiana Bar Foundation, Fellow
Past Positions
Hon. Patrick D. Sullivan, Indiana Court of Appeals, Law Clerk, 1986 to 1987
Honors
Indiana Super Lawyers, 2012-2024
Top 50 Indiana Super Lawyers, 2021-2024
Indiana Trial Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2019
Indiana State Bar Association Civility Award, 2011
Classes & Seminars
Speaker, Masters of Med-Mal Advocacy, ITLA Seminar, 2020
Speaker, Legal Ethics: Attorney Fees and Client Funds, NBI Seminar, 2017
Speaker, Illustrated Ethics: Case Studies to Avoid Legal Malpractice, NBI Seminar, 2013
Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy, NBI Seminar, 2010
Evaluating and Settling Personal Injury and Death Claims, PESI Seminar, 2006
Representative Cases
Anonymous Hosp. v. Spencer, 158 N.E.3d 380 (Ind. Ct. App. 2020) (Amicus counsel)
Webster v. CDI, Ind., LLC, 917 F.3d 574 (7th Cir. 2019)
McKeen v. Turner, 71 N.E.3d 833 (Ind. 2017) (Amicus counsel)
Oaks v. Chamberlain, 76 N.E.3d 941 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017) (Amicus counsel)
Collip v. Ratts, 49 N.E.3d 607 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)
Sharpsville Cmty. Ambulance, Inc. v. Gilbert, 47 N.E.3d 1265 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)
Helms v. Rudicel, 986 N.E.2d 302 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013)
Morse v. Davis, 965 N.E.2d 148, (Ind. Ct. App. 2012)
Lasley v. Moss, 500 F.3d 586, (7th Cir. 2007)
Ellenwine v. Fairley, 818 N.E.2d 961, Ind (Ind. 2006).
In re Estate of Wade, 768 N.E.2d 957, (Ind. Ct. App. 2002)
Clemans v. Wishard Memorial Hospital, 727 N.E.2d 1084, (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).
Published Works
Should Juries Know Whether the Medical Expert Practices What He Preaches, ITLA Verdict, Vol. 30, No. 1, 2008
The Effect of NCAA v. Board of Regents on the NCAA's Power, 18 Indiana Law Review 937, 1987
