Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s Litigation Division saves Hoosier taxpayers

Efficiency Machine: AG legal team saves $12M in first half of 2025 alone

During Attorney General Todd Rokita’s tenure, his office’s Litigation Division has achieved more than $125 million estimated taxpayer savings through successful advocacy on behalf of the state.  

“By heading off frivolous, unending legal battles and taking charge of complex settlements – these are just a few ways our office uses efficiency to save hard-earned Hoosier dollars,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We believe in serving with servants’ hearts. That includes taking very seriously our fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers. Keep in mind this is just one division of our office.”  

The Litigation Division represents the state and its agencies, officials and employees in state and federal courts. The division, led by Chief Counsel Patricia Orloff Erdmann, has four sections — each with its own practice area. 

Here are the types of cases our team fights tirelessly inside the courtroom: 

The state’s victory in Gerlach v. Todd Rokita, et al., in which plaintiffs alleged that the state defendants wrongfully withheld interest earnings on unclaimed property in state custody — allegedly violating plaintiffs’ right to just compensation under the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause. The court dismissed all claims for damages, attorneys’ fees and just compensation — a decision upheld on appeal. Financial savings for taxpayers exceeded $5 million. 

In another case — Williams v. Boley et al. — plaintiffs sued on behalf of an individual who died in an officer-involved shooting. The plaintiff alleged that an Indiana State Trooper wrongfully shot the decedent in an unprovoked attack, but Attorney General Rokita’s team presented evidence showing that the shooting was in self-defense after the decedent pointed a gun at the trooper. Financial savings to taxpayers was approximately $300,000.