FBT Gibbons continues to advance its Product Tort & Insurance Litigation practice group with the addition of Carolyn Riggs as a partner in the firm’s Indianapolis office. Riggs’ arrival strengthens the firm’s bench in complex product litigation, particularly matters involving coordinated proceedings, national exposure, and significant risk.
Riggs joins FBT Gibbons from Ice Miller and brings extensive experience defending corporate and insurance clients in high‑exposure product and catastrophic injury litigation, including multidistrict litigation (MDL) and coordinated state proceedings. Her work frequently centers on disputes shaped by scientific evidence, regulatory frameworks, and the realities of product design, use, and manufacturing.
“Carolyn is exactly the kind of partner we want helping shape the next phase of our Indianapolis office, and we’re delighted to welcome her to the firm,” said Carrie G. Doehrmann, partner in charge of FBT Gibbons’ Indianapolis office. “She brings hands‑on experience in complex product matters that demand early mastery of technical records and disciplined coordination across proceedings. She will be a tremendous addition to our team, strengthening our bench locally while supporting the office’s growing role in national product and insurance litigation, where clients increasingly look to Indianapolis as a hub for strategic leadership.”
Riggs is known for immersing herself in the factual and technical record of a case, working closely with engineers, scientists, and expert witnesses to assess exposure and develop defensible positions early. She regularly advises clients on discovery and case positioning with an eye toward efficiency, leverage, and trial readiness.
“Carolyn has handled the kind of product cases our clients increasingly face — matters involving regulated products, evolving science, and significant exposure,” said Jeremiah Byrne, co‑leader of FBT Gibbons’ Product, Tort & Insurance Litigation practice. “She understands how to bring discipline and focus to complex litigation by aligning expert development, discovery, and client objectives from the outset. That capability makes her a tremendous addition to our national platform and enhances how we support clients across key industries, including those served by our Life Sciences and Manufacturing industry teams.”
Riggs has served as defense trial counsel in multiple jury trials, including matters involving wrongful death, alleged foodborne illness, and commercial vehicle collisions. She has also achieved appellate success, including securing reversal of a denial of summary judgment in a wrongful death case, and has resolved complex disputes pre‑suit, including matters arising from operational failures and cybersecurity‑related incidents.
“Carolyn’s experience is particularly valuable for clients operating in highly regulated product environments,” added Kim M. Catullo, co‑leader of the firm’s Product, Tort & Insurance Litigation practice. “She brings the judgment and technical fluency that sophisticated manufacturers and life sciences companies expect from counsel when the stakes are high and the record is complex.”
“The matters I handle rarely exist in isolation — they involve products, regulators, insurers, and business leadership all at once,” Riggs said. “FBT Gibbons has the depth and coordination needed to manage that complexity, and the firm’s collaborative approach made this a strong fit for my practice.”
Riggs is admitted to practice in Indiana, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, as well as multiple federal district courts. She is an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), where she serves in leadership roles within product liability and toxic tort committees, and she is a frequent speaker on developments affecting complex product and catastrophic injury litigation. She is also a graduate of the Richard E. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.