Two distinguished members of AG Rokita’s team receive state’s top award

Chief Deputy Attorney General Lori Torres and Chief Counsel of Litigation Patricia Erdmann recently have received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Gov. Eric Holcomb for their longstanding devotion to serving Hoosiers. Attorney General Todd Rokita made the announcement on Friday.

“Lori and Patricia have dedicated a large part of their professional careers to serving the state,” AG Rokita said. “They represent a major reason for our office’s continued success, and I’m honored to work alongside them every day to fight for Hoosiers. It’s to their great credit that they both received this prestigious award.”

Torres has practiced law in Indiana her entire career. After 20 years in the private sector, she entered state government with her appointment by Gov. Mitch Daniels to serve as the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Labor.

After briefly returning to the private sector, Torres returned to public service in an executive position with the Indiana Department of Transportation before being selected by Gov. Holcomb as the Inspector General – a post she held for four years. In January 2021, AG Rokita brought in Torres to serve as Chief Deputy Attorney General.

“I’m grateful and humbled by this recognition as I have now served three governors and Attorney General Todd Rokita,” Torres said. “Nearly 20 years in the executive branch has given me the rare opportunity to serve both the Hoosier public and transformative leaders. My tenures as Inspector General and Chief Deputy Attorney General have allowed me to be a small part of Indiana’s success story.”

For nearly two decades, Erdmann has served as and transformed the role of Chief Counsel of Litigation in the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. She has overseen many of the most high-profile and impactful legal cases the state has ever seen, Rokita said, and many agency commissioners and other executives in state government have lauded her efforts and acumen.

Erdmann has helped shape the careers of hundreds of present and former office employees, Rokita noted, from law clerks and paralegals to deputy attorneys general.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be selected for this prestigious award,” Erdmann said. “I was so surprised to receive it and am deeply grateful to be recognized for my legal service to our state and its citizens through the Office of Attorney General. I love what I do and am truly blessed for the opportunity to do meaningful and impactful work every day alongside an incredibly talented and inspiring team of attorneys and paralegals. This is a true testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Hoosiers and our office’s remarkable record of success.”

Dating back to the 1940s, the Sagamore of the Wabash award was created by former Gov. Ralph Gates. It is the highest honor the governor can bestow and is presented to distinguished Hoosiers who have made significant contributions to the state of Indiana.