Faegre Drinker Attorneys Named to 2026 ‘Indiana 250’ Influential List

Faegre Drinker Indianapolis partners Jim Birge, Andrea Pierson, Scott Chinn, and Marilee Springer have been selected as honorees of IBJ Media’s annual “Indiana 250,” a list of the state’s most influential and impactful business and community leaders, representing public and private companies, law firms, universities, not-for-profits, government and community organizations.

The list was compiled by the executives, editors, and newsroom staff at IBJ Media’s three news brands — Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside Indiana Business, and The Indiana Lawyer — after a months-long process that included reviewing nominations, researching Indiana organizations, and interviewing community leaders across the state.

Birge, named to the list for the fifth time, is the lead transactional attorney for many high-growth Indiana companies and represents operating companies, private equity firms, and family offices in acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, and other high-stakes transactions. He is founder and moderator of the Faegre Drinker Mergers & Acquisitions Annual Conference. He has served on the executive committee of Indy Chamber and on the boards of the city’s Equal Opportunity Commission, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. Read Birge’s profile.

Pierson, named to the list for the fifth consecutive year, is a renowned trial attorney who serves as the client team leader for a number of multinational corporations, many of which are headquartered in Indiana. Pierson also serves as lead trial counsel to product manufacturers and associations in courts across the country in both multidistrict litigation and catastrophic injury cases. She also is active in numerous national litigation and product liability organizations and has served as an instructor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Read Pierson’s profile.

Chinn, named to the list for the second consecutive year, serves as Faegre Drinker’s government and regulatory group leader. A seasoned transactional attorney, Chinn represents businesses, governments, and nonprofits in notable deals and disputes. Chinn also has a broad range of litigation experience and has argued constitutional and public law cases at every level of state and federal court, including in the U.S. Supreme Court. He teaches constitutional law at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Read Chinn’s profile.

Springer serves as outside general counsel to highly regulated nonprofits, founders, wealthy donors, and charitable organizations. She advises health care systems and other organizations on strategic transactions and governance decisions. She recently joined the Indiana University board of trustees and serves on the inaugural board of IU Inc. She also was appointed independent counsel to the board of directors of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator. Previously, Springer served as deputy chief of staff for Gov. Mike Pence. Read Springer’s profile. 

Click here to read the full list of “Indiana 250” honorees.