April WLD Member of the Month: Patricia Orloff Erdmann

Rebecca McClain recently had the opportunity to chat with Patricia Orloff Erdmann, our April Member of the Month.  Read on to learn more about Patricia! As always, if you know someone who should be featured as our “Member of the Month” please do not hesitate to reach out to Emily Chimenti at echimenti@wkw.com or Libby Moyer at libby.moyer@icemiller.com to nominate them. 

What is your career background leading up to Chief Counsel of Litigation at the Office of the Indiana Attorney General?
My 37 years of legal experience spans the public and private sectors. In private practice, I co-founded a litigation firm in Indianapolis. In Washington, D.C., I served as a principal staff attorney in high-profile, national civil rights hearings and investigations of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Prior to that, I served as a legal consultant to the Equal Employment Advisory Council and the National Foundation for the Study of Employment Policy.  As the former Director of Legal Services of the Chicago Bar Association's Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc., I oversaw the Clinic’s legal programs and supervised the work of more than 160 staff and pro bono attorneys. I joined the Office of the Indiana Attorney General in 2002 and have served four Attorneys General.

What is your day to day as Chief Counsel of Litigation like?
Every day is different but always exciting, impactful, and collaborative. In my current role, I lead our Division’s four litigation sections with 60 attorneys and over 5,000 cases. My day-to-day duties include representing the State’s interests in litigation in state and federal courts, legal triage of new cases and case referrals/assignments, litigation strategy, review of requests for settlement, appeal, and contracts, client meetings, providing counsel and advice, supervising, and attending to staffing and operational needs, problem-solving, and developing ways to improve technology, innovation, and streamline processes.

Do you have any recommendations to young lawyers to build their confidence?
Preparation. It’s the ultimate confidence booster.  Also, never underestimate the power of being underestimated. I have encountered opposing counsel that made the strategic mistake of being overly confident in their case because they underestimated a new attorney. Ultimately, the new and better prepared attorney won. Lastly, no one can be a better you than you. So be yourself – your authentic voice is far more credible, powerful, and persuasive as an advocate. 

What has been your legal highlight that made you think "I'm a great lawyer"?
I have had memorable, significant impact cases on the enforcement and defense side with successful outcomes. But also growing greatness in others, developing effective legal teams, and helping to connect people to their passion and purpose in the law and accomplish great things is soul satisfying.

What do you do to maintain work life balance?
I keep going and keep growing. In my view, work and life are not binary opposites. It’s all life. I have found that when work is a meaningful and rewarding part of your life it has a positive ripple effect on other aspects of your life. Knowing that I can make a positive difference every day at the OAG and work in a collaborative, supportive, team-oriented environment with flexibility makes all the difference professionally and personally as a caregiver and single parent. I also try to be mindful of my mindset. I am getting better at giving myself some grace and facing adversities with grit and gratitude for the growth opportunities they present. Lastly, a daily dose of humor and weekly slow flow vinyasa yoga helps me reset, recharge, and tend to mental weeding. 

What is one word that describes your personality and why?
Intuitive – this more unique aspect of my personality has been instrumental in quickly assessing complex and rapidly evolving legal landscapes with discernment and foresight for successful strategic decision making and creative new solutions.

Do you have any spring or summer plans?
I hope to schedule some family visits and start planning a bucket list trip to Italy.

What is a fun random fact about yourself?
I was a paid extra in the original Blues Brothers movie and got to meet Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.