Page 80 - BizVoice May/June 2013

80 BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – May/June 2013
Mary Lisher joined Baker &
Daniels in 1975 and was its
first female partner. “When I
interviewed, I felt … like being
a woman wasn’t going to make
a difference one way or the other.”
By Symone C. Skrzycki E very business has a story. This is the tale of Faegre Baker Daniels.
When Thomas Hendricks (future vice president of the United States serving
under Grover Cleveland) and Oscar Hord (former Indiana attorney general) established
the Hendricks & Hord law firm in1863, they laid the foundation for a legacy.
Among the various names that identified the firm over the years, the one that
endured was Baker & Daniels (in honor of attorneys Conrad Baker and Edward
Daniels), starting in 1888 and once again in 1944.
For 150 years, no matter the name, one constant has remained: a commitment to quality and
integrity. As the world changed around them, its leaders adapted and embraced new opportunities.
That’s just the beginning.
Baker & Daniels’ Jan. 1, 2012 merger with Minneapolis-headquartered Faegre & Benson
(founded in 1886, it has a rich history of its own) ushered in a new era of growth. Today, Faegre
Baker Daniels serves businesses throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
Attorneys from Faegre Baker Daniels’ Indiana offices reflect on the firm’s legacy – and what
it means to them:
• Tim Haffner, partner (Fort Wayne)
• Angie Kelver Hall, partner (South Bend)
• Dan Lechleiter, partner (downtown Indianapolis)
• Mary Lisher, partner (downtown Indianapolis)
• Andrea Roberts Pierson, partner (downtown Indianapolis)
• Norm Tabler, counsel, health and life sciences (north side of Indianapolis)
The ‘it’ factor
Diversity, dedication to clients and an atmosphere of respect are among the qualities that
attract attorneys to Faegre Baker Daniels.
Haffner started his career at the Fort Wayne office nearly 30 years ago shortly after graduating
from law school.
“I wanted to come back to my hometown, enjoy my practice and make a difference in my
community,” he recalls. “I thought I could do that here (at Faegre Baker Daniels) and it turns out
that was the case.”
Lisher joined the firm in 1975. She was one of the first two women hired as lawyers and the
first female partner.
“I felt like I could maintain a personal life that was a bit separate from my work life, which
was important to me given the fact that I was going to be the first woman in the firm,” she
relates. “When I interviewed, I felt comfortable here. I
felt relaxed, and I felt like being a woman wasn’t
going to make a difference one way or the other.”
Tabler established the firm’s first health care
group. In that capacity, he helped oversee the
consolidation of Methodist Hospital, Riley Hospital
for Children and IU Hospital into what became the
Indiana University Health system.
He left Baker & Daniels in 1996 after a 25-year stint
to become general counsel of the new health system.
“For 16 years, I was one of the firm’s major clients,”
he comments. “I used virtually all of the groups, practices
and specialties – and through that experience, I felt
an even stronger connection than when I was here.”
He rejoined Faegre Baker Daniels on Jan. 1, 2013
– one day after retiring from IU Health.
Great Expectations
Law Firm Adapts, Thrives for 150 Years