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Thomas R. Ruge

Director

About

Professional Profile

Thomas (Tom) Ruge's experience in immigration law includes assisting employers seeking to hire foreign employees through L, H, TN, E and permanent visas; visa portability to new employers; deportation and removal defense; adjustment of status; consular process for immigrant and non-immigrant visas; all aspects of immigration compliance for employers and individuals; family immigration; immigration consequences of criminal convictions; post-conviction remedies to ameliorate adverse immigration consequences; representation of the Country of Mexico's consular office in Indianapolis; and certification as an international commercial arbitration neutral.

Civil litigation matters he has handled include: disputes among owners of businesses; government land condemnation through eminent domain; state securities litigation; breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty; non-compete violations and defense; civil rights; employment related litigation and many other complex disputes.

In the area of community based and rural health, Tom serves as general counsel for the Indiana Primary Health Care Association and for many individual community based health centers. This representation has involved initial corporate formation, tax exemption applications and status maintenance; all aspects of compliance with state and federal regulation of health care; licensing and credentialing; foreign medical graduate J visa waiver issues; HPSA and MUA designation issues; employment issues; real estate transactions including commercial leases, sub-leasing and purchases, provider employment agreements, affiliation agreements with hospitals and others, HIPAA and Red Flag compliance; and advice regarding all aspects of health center operations.

Non-profit organizations have been assisted by Tom in obtaining tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, state property and sales tax exemption issues; joint ventures with other tax exempt and non-tax exempt organizations; UBIT (unrelated business income) issues; corporate recordkeeping and other compliance matters.

Tom is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators ("FCiArb"), having completed the testing and other requirements for certification in international commercial arbitration.

Education

Valparaiso University

School of Law, J.D.
1976
Indiana Journal for Global Legal Students, Submission Editor

Indiana University

B.A., Philosophy
1971
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Admissions

  • Indiana
  • U. S. Supreme Court
  • U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Involvement

Professional Affiliations

  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Fellow
  • National Board of Trial Advocacy, Certified Trial Lawyer, 2012-2022
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Member
  • Indiana Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chairman, 1988-1989
  • Lawyers Fund, Campaign Committee, 1989
  • Forum for International Professional Services, Board of Directors, 1989; President, 1990
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Settlement Mediator, 1987-1990
  • Indiana State Bar Association, Member and Master Fellow
  • Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Member
  • The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Member


Community Service

  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Immigration Adjunct Professor for 3 years
  • Alzheimer's Association, Board of Directors, 1990
  • World Trade Club, Member
  • First State Bank of Porter, Board of Directors, 2004-Present
  • Indiana Health Centers, Inc., Finance Committee, 2000-Present


Recognition

  • Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Lawyer Rating
  • ASLA, Top Lawyer
  • Avvo Superb Rating


Speaking and Publications

Tom has authored many articles in professional journals in the areas of civil litigation, structured settlement proposals, immigration law, medical malpractice and other personal injury litigation, international child custody disputes, and international business.

He is a frequent speaker to employers as well as legal and professional organizations on various topics including: civil litigation/business disputes, personal injury litigation, immigration law, international law, employment law, and health care law.

In addition, Tom was an adjunct professor teaching Immigration Law at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis.

  • Presenter: ISBA Annual Meeting "U.S. Immigration Law: Achieving Diversity and Globalization in Indiana," October 2010
  • Presenter: "What is Health Care Going to Look Like After Health Care Reform," Indiana Health Centers Board of Directors, September 2010
  • Presenter: Indiana General Assembly in 2009 regarding proposed Senate Bills 372 and 580 (opposing state immigration legislation)
  • Presenter: "Immigration Compliance for Agricultural Employers," February 2009
  • Presenter: Gallery Extension Conference in Indiana, September 2008
  • Presenter: "Immigration Compliance for Employers," Employment Law Update in Indiana Sterling Education Services, Inc., July 2008
  • Presenter: "Immigration Status and Worker Compensation Claims in Indiana," Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, July, 2008
  • Presenter: Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, June 2008
  • Presenter: "Immigration Law and Public Policy," IUPUI - SPEA Program, April 2008.
  • Speaker: "Dispute Resolutions Colloquium," "Immigration Law for the Criminal Defense Attorney," Marion County Bar Association, September 2010
  • Speaker: "Preparing Foreign National Clients for Encounters with the U.S. Civil Justice System," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, October 2004
  • Speaker: "Immigration Status and the Latino Client," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, September 2004
  • Speaker: "Advising Foreign Nationals Accused or Convicted of a Crime," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, October 2003
  • Speaker: “Discrimination and Immigration Law Issues,” Community and Family Resource Center Seminar for Latino Service Providers, April 2002
  • Speaker: "Who Is Authorized to Work in the United States?" Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, October 2001
  • Speaker: "Visa Options for Foreign Employees: Representing Foreign Nationals and Their Employers, Practical and Ethical Considerations," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, November 2000
  • Speaker: "What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Representing Foreign Clients," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, November 1999

Contact

Let's Keep In Touch

Thomas R. Ruge
One American Square, Suite 2500,
Indianapolis, IN 46282
Phone
317.639.1210
Email
TRuge@LewisKappes.com
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Thomas R. Ruge

intelligent.
passionate.
discerning.
accomplished.