About
Experience
Transactions
Publications
Affiliations

Monica Edwards has extensive experience in the recovery of funds for environmental investigation and clean-up at petroleum-, chlorinated solvent-, and heavy metal-impacted sites. Monica represents clients on state and federal environmental matters and draws upon her scientific experience as a technical services chemist and prior environmental consultant in her practice of environmental law. Her background helps her assist clients in performing environmental due diligence, evaluating environmental risks, negotiating environmental settlement agreements, coordinating site clean-ups, prosecuting historical environmental insurance claims and recovering environmental defense and indemnity costs.

Monica’s intellectual property experience includes the registration, assignment and renewal of trademarks and copyrights. She is also frequently involved with the development of intellectual property policies, the licensing and defense of intellectual property, and the negotiation of confidentiality agreements on clients’ behalf.

Education
  • 1994: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, B.S., Chemistry
  • 1996: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, M.S., Hazardous Waste and Materials Management
  • 2000: University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Louisville, Kentucky, J.D.
Bar Admissions
  • State of Indiana
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana

Recognitions
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, “Lawyer of the Year” for Real Estate Law (2023)
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, Real Estate Law
  • Rated, AV® Preeminent™, Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Recipient, Evansville Chamber of Commerce John Biasini Environmental Excellence Award
  • Selected, Indiana Super Lawyers® Magazine, Rising Star
Experience
  • Industries Commonly Served: Manufacturing, Municipalities and Government, Real Estate, Education
  • Environmental Cost Recovery: Aids property owners and operators in the recovery of funds from prior owners and operators and insurance to address environmental fees and expenses typically associated with the investigation and clean-up of historical manufacturing, dry cleaning and underground storage tank operations. As part of these efforts, has overseen trusts and funding for multiple high-dollar environmental claims for individuals, businesses and governmental entities.
  • Environmental Assessments and Due Diligence: Frequently involved with environmental due diligence reviews for complex real estate transactions and mergers and acquisitions for mid-size, national and international companies. Helps coordinate environmental assessments and environmental agreements as part of the environmental due diligence process.
  • Underground Storage Tanks/Indiana Excess Liability Trust Fund: Pursues environmental claims and reimbursement on behalf of owners and operators for costs incurred related to the investigation and clean-up of leaking underground storage tanks. Has represented multiple owners and operators in the Excess Liability Trust Fund appeals process to establish reimbursement rights to the fund.
  • Environmental Litigation: Assists in the representation of plaintiffs and defendants in claims brought under CERCLA, Indiana’s Environmental Legal Action Statute or Underground Storage Tank Act, as well as the negotiation of cost allocation and contribution agreements. Also represents clients in various air permitting matters and appeals.
  • Trademark and Copyright: Involved in the registration, assignment and renewal of trademarks and copyrights. Also frequently involved with the licensing and defense of intellectual property through cease and desist actions. Negotiates confidentiality agreements pertaining to client’s trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property. Evaluates intellectual property policies for various-sized entities.
Representative Transactions

Monica has been involved in transactions including the following:

  • Sale of Felker Properties
  • Sale of Coca Cola Bottling Works of Evansville, Inc.
  • Merger of Rainbow Communications, Inc. and Firehouse Graphics, Inc. (Now Fire & Rain, LLC)
  • Sale of Creative Press, Inc.
  • Sale of Elmer Buchta Trucking, LLC
Publications
Professional Affiliations
  • Indiana State Bar Association: Environmental Law Section, Chair (2010-2011); Environmental Law Section, Member (2006 – Present)
  • Evansville Bar Association: Real Estate Section, Chair (2014 – 2015)
Civic Affiliations
  • The Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana, Inc.: Secretary (2018 – Present)
  • Evansville EPA Advisory Board: Former Member (2004 – 2014)
  • Southwest Indiana Chamber: Environmental Section, Former Chair
  • Vanderburgh Community Foundation: Trustee (2009 – 2018)
  • Ark Crisis Child Care Center: Board of Directors (2014 – 2017)
  • Christ the King School: Board of Education (2009 – 2013)
  • American Cancer Society: Gala Volunteer and Chair (2004, 2005)
  • City of Evansville Brownfields Advisory Board (June 2003 – April 2006)
  • Leadership Evansville: Program Alumnus (Fall 2002)