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John Trimble, an Indianapolis attorney known throughout the state for his litigation and mediation skills and the recipient of many legal honors, died Wednesday at the age of 69.
His law firm, Lewis Wagner & Trimble, announced that Trimble died with his family by his side.
“His loss leaves a great void in the legal profession and the hearts of those who knew him, and all of us at the firm,” the firm announced in a memorial tribute on its website.
According to the firm, Trimble forged his career over four decades at Lewis Wagner—now named Lewis Wagner & Trimble in his honor—where he was noted as “one of Indiana’s most sought‑after legal minds,” especially in complex litigation and mediation.
A prolific insurance coverage lawyer and mediator, he was repeatedly ranked No. 1 in Indiana by Super Lawyers (2011–2021), honored as the Defense Research Institute’s 2021 Louis B. Potter Lifetime Professional Service Award recipient, and named a Sagamore of the Wabash in 2024 by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Trimble also was named to IBJ Media’s Indiana 250, which recognizes the most influential business leaders in the state.
He frequently lectured at conferences—his presentations described as “excellently delivered”—and he wrote the “Eye on the Profession” column which appeared in The Indiana Lawyer, sharing insights on ethics, trends, and legal practice.
The firm announced in May that it had rebranded to recognize the contributions of partner Trimble.
“John embodies everything our firm has stood for over the past 70 years—excellence, integrity, and service,” Managing Partner Dina Cox said at the time. “His leadership has shaped who we are today, and adding his name to ours is a reflection of the impact he’s had on our firm, our clients, and the legal profession.”
Trimble had been widely recognized as an impactful mediator and often hired by judges and lawyers to mediate some of the state’s largest and most high-profile cases.
His areas of expertise included insurance coverage disputes, bad faith defense, lawyer and insurance agent malpractice, business litigation, and catastrophic damages caused by casualty risks.
According to the firm, Trimble has also served as president of the Indianapolis Bar Association, Board of Visitors chair at I.U. Robert H. McKinney School of Law, president of the Board of the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society, and chair of DRI’s national Judicial Task Force.
IndyBar also paid tribute to Trimble Wednesday.
“He was a pillar of Indiana’s legal community with a pure adoration of the law and its practitioners,” the bar association wrote on its LinkedIn page.
Founding Partner Robert Wagner said of Trimble in May: “I’m excited and proud to see the firm’s name evolve to include John Trimble. I can’t think of anyone else who has contributed more to the success and national reputation of the firm than John.”
The firm, in its tribute, said Trimble’s life stood as a testament to “the power of mentorship, the importance of generosity, and the enduring impact of a loving family.”
Trimble is survived by his wife, Ann, his daughters Marie Holvick and Laura Elbogen, his sister, Lisa Actor, and six grandchildren.
His obituary, posted on Flanner Buchanan’s website, reported that his funeral will be July 9 at 11 a.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N Meridian St. in Indianapolis.
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