Circle City Conversations

Charles Hubley is a trial lawyer at Hurst Limontes LLC, a personal injury law firm based in Indiana. Before bringing his comprehensive knowledge and experience to Hurst Limontes, Charles litigated major insurance lawsuits while gaining experience taking cases to trial with many of the best trial lawyers in South Florida. While there, he achieved favorable jury verdicts and judgments against insurers such as State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, and United Automobile Insurance Company, recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars for his clients.

A proud Hoosier, Charles was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He studied political science and history at Indiana University before attending the University of Miami School of Law, where he was a member of the renowned Miami Innocence Project, a legal clinic dedicated to identifying and exonerating innocent individuals.

In 2023, Florida signed House Bill 837 to decrease fraudulent insurance claims, eliminating attorneys' fees for medical providers and homeowners in Florida. How does this law impact access to justice in insurance litigation?

The new modification to Florida's law removes the plaintiff's right to attorney's fees to ensure only legitimate lawsuits are filed. However, Florida-licensed attorney Charles Hubley says these new restrictions may make collecting legitimate claims more difficult. For instance, insurance companies may shortchange medical providers and homeowners, potentially leading to business closures and limited access to justice for blue-collar workers. He also explains the difference between Indiana and Florida's MedPay and Personal Injury Protection laws, with MedPay being mandatory in Florida and optional in Indiana. Sharing his experience handling PIP cases in Florida, Charles clarifies that attorney fees are no longer recoverable in first-party cases, per the state's recent legislative changes.

In this installment of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes interviews Charles Hubley about personal injury laws and insurance in Florida and Indiana. They discuss Florida's PIP law change and its impact on insurance claims, comparing and contrasting PIP laws in the two states. Charles also reflects on his background and experience as a lawyer, highlighting the importance of networking for attorneys.

Alex Limontes is an attorney and the Managing Partner at Hurst Limontes LLC, a personal injury law firm based in Indiana and one of the few firms whose practice focuses solely on personal injury claimants. At Hurst Limontes LLC, Alex and his team have represented thousands of clients and obtained hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts.

A strong advocate of community involvement, Alex has worked closely with established Indianapolis organizations and has served on the Board of Directors at the Indianapolis Bar Association Solo/Small Firm Committee. His impact in the industry has earned him several accolades, including being listed as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and recognized by Best Lawyers in America for professional excellence in private practice. Alex is passionate about providing effective representation and, in turn, maximizing returns for personal injury claimants.

What motivates aspiring lawyers? A career in law can be a highly fulfilling venture for professionals seeking an intellectually challenging and influential vocation. While some lawyers value a sense of personal achievement and opportunities for career development, others look forward to a career that allows them to make a difference in the lives of others.

For award-winning personal injury lawyer Alex Limontes, the journey into law came with twists and turns. Captivated by his experiences as an employee of a corporation counseling and defending the district in civil lawsuits, Alex was drawn to the problem-solving and people skills that the attorneys exhibited. Besides learning to negotiate, he discovered how lawyers work around the clock to advocate, innovate, and set new precedents. Today, Alex demonstrates how a deep commitment to clients and an understanding of industry dynamics play a crucial role in the career trajectory of litigation lawyers.

In this episode of the Circle City Conversations, host Alex Limontes welcomes Chad Franzen of Rise25. Chad flips the script and interviews Alex about the legal industry and intricacies of personal injury litigation. Alex shares his journey into the legal industry and career trajectory to a leadership role at Hurst Limontes LLC. He also expounds on the importance of personal interests and career goals and provides tips on dealing with insurance companies as a personal injury claimant.

Kate Franke is the Founder and a Partner at Broadwing Legal, an Indiana firm providing legal services for personal injury victims. Passionate about helping injured Hoosiers get the justice they deserve, Kate focuses her practice on truck and car accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. She studied at Valparaiso University School of Law and honed her litigation skills working with renowned personal injury attorneys, including Lee Christie.

An advocate of legal tech, Kate is a frequent speaker at industry events on technology. She was selected to Super Lawyers in 2022-2024 and was a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.

A lawyer's role is vital in upholding the rule of law, advocating for justice, and protecting individual rights. However, many young attorneys know the law but struggle to get their careers up and running. What if you had someone to help you reach your career goals as an aspiring lawyer?

According to personal injury attorney Kate Franke, new lawyers need a mentor to start on the right foot. Kate recalled how an attorney in her hometown mentored her from high school until she completed law school. Even after she started her legal practice, her mentor helped her realize what she needed to be successful in the field. She has since met other influential mentors who have helped shape her career. In addition to imparting valuable wisdom to help you excel in your legal career, mentors can introduce you to other attorneys and help you navigate the legal job market. Kate advises new lawyers to network and join groups and online legal communities. Putting oneself out there is vital to getting discovered.

In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes welcomes Kate Franke, Founder and Partner at Broadwing Legal, to discuss Kate's experience as a personal injury trial lawyer and the value of mentorship in a successful legal practice. Kate highlights the importance of networking early in your career, the challenges she faced starting a solo law practice, her experiences on trucking cases, and why the legal industry should embrace technology and AI.

Jamison Allen is an Injury Trial Attorney at Marc Lopez Law Firm, an Indiana legal firm dedicated to helping people facing criminal charges and personal injury litigation. A former insurance company attorney, Jamison leverages his experience to protect his clients in injury cases. He has litigated jury trials across the state and represented clients before the Indiana Court of Appeals and the Indiana Supreme Court.

Jamison earned his JD from the University of Illinois College of Law and has practiced for 20 years. Born and raised in Indiana, he graduated from Indiana State University with a double major in social studies education and theater. When he's not litigating, Jamison is active in many community organizations with his wife and three daughters.

Personal injuries caused by road accidents, workplace incidents, and medical negligence often result in severe trauma to victims. While filing a claim can help victims assess legal options, it can be challenging for injured parties to receive their claims from insurance companies. How can victims ensure they recover the compensation they deserve?

Insurance policies often have claim payout limits, which caused insurance companies to employ various tactics to reduce the payout for injury victims or even deny the claims altogether. Personal injury expert Jamison Allen reveals how insurers use age and health to devalue elderly plaintiffs' claims and how victims can protect themselves. Insurance companies know injured people are often in pain, taking powerful medications, anxious about how their bills will get paid, and uninformed about their rights under the law. Therefore, having a professional personal injury lawyer can prevent victims from losing their rightful compensation. Drawing from his extensive experience in trial law, Jamison recounts how a victim's determination to fight for justice led to a higher settlement and a successful outcome. He advises attorneys to understand the client's perspective and value their case based on their unique circumstances.

In this episode of the Circle City Conversations podcast, Alex Limontes sits with Jamison Allen, Injury Trial Attorney at Marc Lopez Law Firm, to discuss trial strategies and client preparation in injury claim cases. He highlights the importance of understanding the jury's perspective in a personal injury case and shares case studies of his high-profile trials. Jamison also reflects on his career journey, the value of networking with other attorneys, and how the pandemic has changed the jury trial landscape.

Katherine Karres is a Personal Injury Lawyer at Hurst Limontes, an Indiana law firm focused exclusively on helping victims of negligence. With over 13 years of experience in injury litigation, Katherine has tried 27 injury cases over her legal career and has helped thousands of clients resolve their cases. Before joining Hurst Limontes, she worked as a medical negligence claims litigator.

As a graduate of the University of Indianapolis and the Indiana University School of Law, Katherine has lived in Indiana for most of her life. She has been a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2017 and has been named Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers.

Lawyers are experts at studying the facts of a case and the legal principles that apply to litigations. But how can they communicate more effectively and connect with a jury beyond merely delivering facts?

In one of its publications, "Trial as Theater," the US Department of Justice describes a courtroom as a theater where attorneys create scenes to persuade their audience. Trial lawyer Katherine Karres navigates her long and fruitful career with this mindset – from her short stint at a defense firm to resolving over 27 injury cases as a plaintiff attorney. She compares plaintiff lawyers to movie producers and defense attorneys to movie critics. While jurors expect the facts, they want more than details and legal research. Applying actor techniques and attitudes can make attorneys more effective in court. Katherine opens up about some of her most significant insights on jury trials.

Join host Alex Limontes in this episode of Circle City Conversations as he welcomes Katherine Karres, a top-rated personal injury attorney and Trial Lawyer at Hurst Limontes, for a conversation on winning strategies for successful jury trials. Katherine shares her experience as a personal injury attorney, the similarities between lawyers and actors, and tips for balancing your legal practice with family life and navigating new technology in law.

Faith Elizabeth Alvarez is an Indiana trial lawyer and attorney at Alvarez Legal, LLC. With over a decade of experience, she assists clients in multiple practice areas, including federal litigation, serious injury, civil rights violations, and wrongful death cases. Before private practice, she served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Special Victims Unit of the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. Faith is committed to fighting injustice and lends her talents to protecting the rights and interests of women and children. She is bilingual and assists clients in both English and Spanish.

Pregnancy discrimination remains prevalent in corporate spaces despite there being laws against such discrimination. Research reveals that one in five moms experience discrimination in the workplace — from being denied benefits to being fired. How can victims of this injustice navigate the legal process?

Trial lawyer and attorney Faith Elizabeth Alvarez understands the intricacies of pregnancy in the corporate space. She reflects on her experiences attending law school and establishing a thriving legal career as a mother, highlighting issues such as the challenges of returning to work post-maternity leave and the economic benefits of supporting mothers in the workplace. Faith emphasizes building awareness around legal protections and how helpful discrimination lawyers are in the workplace. Discrimination lawyers can assist with cases such as collecting back wages and providing financial validation and support for clients in pregnancy discrimination suits. Faith also shares how she leverages social media to raise awareness of workplace discrimination against mothers.

Join host Alex Limontes in this episode of the Circle City Conversations as he welcomes Faith Elizabeth Alvarez, trial lawyer and attorney at Alvarez Legal, LLC. They delve into Faith's brilliant career pivot, how to navigate pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace, and why she started her firm focused on civil rights cases. She also discusses leveraging social media to raise awareness and the power of bilingualism in the legal profession.

Marc Lopez is an Indiana trial lawyer and seasoned injury attorney. A self-described fighter of injustice, Marc is passionate about drunk driving (DUI) defense and personal injury cases. He founded his law firm in 2009 after a brief career in the prosecutor's office and has since grown the firm to include seven lawyers. Under his management, Marc Lopez Law Firm has helped clients injured on the job, in automobile collisions, or otherwise seriously hurt by carelessness and negligence. Beyond his duties as a defense attorney, Marc is a CEO, marketer, husband, and manager.

Private law practice is a challenging endeavor with potential pitfalls such as operational expenses, client acquisition hurdles, overwhelming administrative tasks, and keeping up with technology. How do you find the sweet spot between client satisfaction and entrepreneurial success?

Marc Lopez, a seasoned criminal defense lawyer, believes that having a passion for helping others and a client-focused approach is critical to finding this sweet spot. Drawing from extensive experience working as a trial lawyer and prosecutor, Marc emphasizes innovation, relentless skills acquisition, an entrepreneurial spirit, and mentorship as essential for private law practice success. For instance, by keeping up with current technologies and leveraging content marketing, attorneys improve their chances of success in the industry and improve service delivery. Though there is no one-size-fits-all in the legal profession, he offers three key takeaways: kindling a drive to fight injustice, understanding the science behind laws, and undertaking strategic self-promotion.

In this episode of the Circle City Conversations podcast, Alex Limontes welcomes Marc Lopez, seasoned trial and personal injury attorney, as they navigate the intricacies of trial law. Marc reflects on his journey in the legal profession and career trajectory from prosecutor to defense attorney. He also shares pro tips on leveraging content marketing and technology, running a client-focused firm, understanding the science behind DUI prosecution, and achieving work-life balance.