Thomas S. Ehrhardt
Senior Partner
Merrillville Office
9111 Broadway Suite RR#2
Merillville, Indiana 46410
Thomas S. Ehrhardt is a senior partner in the Merrillville Hub of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. Mr. Ehrhardt is one of the firm's most seasoned trial attorneys, having tried more than 80 cases to verdict in both state and federal courts. His litigation experience spans a wide spectrum of complex defense matters, including wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, heavy trucking, premises liability, first-party bad faith, breach of contract, ADA claims, professional liability, and UM/UIM disputes. Many of these matters have involved multi-million-dollar exposures and high-stakes trial strategy.
With more than 25 years of experience at litigation defense firms, Mr. Ehrhardt concentrates his practice in trial advocacy and transportation law. Prior to entering the legal field, he worked in operations management for the country's largest privately held trucking company. This firsthand knowledge of the industry, including dispatch operations, safety compliance, labor relations, and logistics, gives Mr. Ehrhardt an edge in understanding transportation business models and connecting authentically with drivers and industry professionals.
Mr. Ehrhardt plays a key role on the firm's Transportation Committee, overseeing the deployment of Rapid Response Teams in high-risk commercial vehicle accidents. He is on-call 24/7 for several national fleets and insurers, arriving at accident scenes day or night to help preserve crucial evidence, coordinate with engineers and adjusters, and support early liability assessments. He is also regularly called upon as "parachute counsel" to evaluate complex, high-exposure claims nearing arbitration or trial.
He is a frequent speaker on topics such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, risk management, tort litigation, and trial advocacy. While in law school, Mr. Ehrhardt externed for the Honorable James T. Moody of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. Outside of his practice, he is active in his church, local community, and several charitable foundations.
Licensed to practice law in Indiana, Mr. Ehrhardt is admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Memberships & Affiliations:
- Lake County Bar Association
- Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Indiana Motor Truck Association (IMTA)
- Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA)
- Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
Representative Trial Highlights
- In a federal wrongful death trial with a pre-trial demand of $8.5 million, Mr. Ehrhardt secured a defense verdict after five days of testimony, expert analysis, and complex causation issues. The jury deliberated for less than an hour.
- In another wrongful death case involving a minor and multiple emotional distress claims from family members, Mr. Ehrhardt's early and aggressive litigation strategy led to a settlement well below the client's reserve, despite the evolving legal precedent on emotional damages.
- In two rapid response matters, Mr. Ehrhardt secured previously overlooked surveillance footage from local businesses that proved pivotal in defending drivers, one of which directly contradicted a key eyewitness account.
Reported Decisions
- Harris v. A.C.&S., Inc., 785 N.E.2d 1087 (Ind. 2003)
- Jurich v. Garlock, Inc., 785 N.E.2d 1093 (Ind. 2003)
- Serna v. Malinckrodt Group, Inc., 824 N.E.2d 772 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005)
- Malott v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 798 N.E.2d 924 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003)
- Armstrong v. Cerestar, 775 N.E.2d 360 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002)
- Gregor v. Szarmach, 706 N.E.2d 360 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999)
