Rich Smikle serves local, national and international clients on a wide variety of subjects.  He has extensive experience in all types of commercial litigation: supply contracts, employment litigation, products liability, construction disputes, real estate valuation and estates and trusts.  He has also advised colleges, universities and other nonprofits. He regularly helps clients with estate matters and planned charitable giving.  Recently he has worked extensively in U.S. and international securities lending and finance markets.

Examples of Rich's work include: 
 

• In the area of litigation, he has defended a broad range of national and international manufacturers of a variety of products including consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, tires and industrial equipment.  (Clients have included Sears, Lilly, Goodyear, Michelin, and American Airlines) 
   
• In the area of estates, trusts and guardianship, he has both defended and challenged estate plans on behalf of beneficiaries.  He recently concluded the administration and disposition of $3 billion estate and trust with its attendant complexities.  (Clients have included the Estates of Miller, Eiteljorg, Simon, French, and Leighton) 
   
• In the area of higher education, he has advised the Boards of Colleges and Universities on employment matters, officer searches, fund raising and accreditation. This also included coordination of opportunities for the receipt of planned and charitable donations.   (Clients include Indiana University and Ivy Tech State College)

• He is actively engaged in international securities lending and finance transactions in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.  As a result, he is knowledgeable in international securities and finance in multiple jurisdictions.  (Clients include Equities First Holdings LLC)

Before joining Ice Miller in 1982, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Allen Sharp, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. He is a native of St. Joseph, Michigan.