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Attorneys

J. Blake Hike


Location:
Fort Wayne, IN
Phone:
260-423-9411
Fax:
260-423-4329
Favorite book:
The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle.

Blake works closely with the owners and executives of emerging-to-midsized companies to resolve a host of disputes quickly, efficiently, and economically. He has represented clients in disputes involving contracts, non-competes, non-solicits, employee mobility, sales representative and commission agreements, trademark, copyright, patent, ownership rights, and employment matters, and he often represents clients in bet-the-company lawsuits that threaten the survival and well-being of the company.

For those who are not regularly involved in litigation, the process can seem opaque, confusing, and complex. His job is to act as a guide and to steer the client expertly through the process.

In each case, he communicates early and often—by initially tailoring a case strategy specific to the objectives and the facts and law of the case; laying out what to expect and providing a detailed budget; and then keeping his clients apprised throughout the process. Because, at the end of the day, litigation often comes down to assessing the cost and burden of litigating versus the expected returns.

Areas of Practice
  • Insurance Defense
  • Commercial Litigation
Education
  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana
    • J.D.
    • Honors: Health Law Concentration
    • Law Review: Indiana Health Law Review, Executive Production Editor
  • Manchester University
    • B.S.
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • Manchester University President’s Leadership Council, member; American Inns of Court, member.
Representative Cases
  • South Bend Community School Corporation, et al. v. Cook, et al., St. Joseph Superior Court: Blake obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial involving a three vehicle auto accident.
  • Officescape, Inc. v. The Mainz Group, LLC, Allen Circuit Court: Blake obtained a defense verdict and a judgment on a counterclaim after a bench trial in action involving breaching a commercial contract.
  • Omnisource, Inc. v. Three Rivers Metal Recycling Inc., Allen Circuit Court: Blake obtained a summary judgment and an order denying the request for preliminary injunction in a non-compete and trade secrets case.
  • Anderson v. Wal-Mart, et al., Elkhart Superior Court: Blake obtained a summary judgment for the lack of duty owed in a premises liability action.
  • Zalas v. Wal-Mart, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division: Blake obtained a summary judgment for the lack of actual or constructive notice of an alleged hazard in premises liability action.
  • Pope v. Wal-Mart, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division: Blake secured a voluntary dismissal in a premises liability action following the plaintiff’s deposition.
  • Klooze v. Steuben Lakes Regional Waste District, Steuben Superior Court: Blake obtained a summary judgment for failure to comply with a notice provision of the Indiana Tort Claims Act.
Publications and Speaking
  • Contributing Author, Cross-Examination: The Lawyer’s Time to Shine, 2009 Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum.
  • Note, An Athlete’s Right to Privacy Regarding Sport-Related Injuries: HIPAA and the Creation of the Mysterious Injury, 6 IND. HEALTH L. REV. 47 (2009).