Awards
- IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2013
About Bill Moreau
Bill Moreau is a partner in Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., offices. He co-chairs the firm’s Public Policy Group within the Governmental Services & Finance Department. He also chairs the firm's interdisciplinary Higher Education Practice Group. Mr. Moreau represents clients before local, state, and federal legislative, administrative, and regulatory bodies. Trained as a litigator and appellate advocate, he served former-U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh for five years as, in succession, his deputy secretary of state/chief of staff, gubernatorial transition director, chief of staff, and legislative director. Early in his career, he served on both sides of Capitol Hill, including handling environmental and energy issues for U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh during his last term.
Mr. Moreau’s work before the Indiana General Assembly – spanning almost 30 sessions – has involved him in a wide array of issues, including intellectual property, environmental, tax, healthcare, trade practices regulation, and research and development initiatives. He regularly represents clients before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, as well.
Mr. Moreau graduated from Purdue University and the Georgetown University Law Center. By appointment of Govs. Bayh and O’Bannon he was a trustee of Purdue from 1991 to 2003, and the only lawyer on the Board. He is active in the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and has spoken and written on university governance issues.
He is admitted to practice before all Indiana courts, U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Mr. Moreau has been recognized by his peers as an Indiana Super Lawyer and among The Best Lawyers in America in the disciplines of education law and government relations law.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Moreau is an active advocate for social change. Since 2000, he has helped lead Indianapolis' efforts to solve the issues of homelessness facing the city. Moreau was influential in the efforts major 2007 to secure a provision from the Indiana General Assembly that created the first permanent funding source for Indianapolis' Housing Trust Fund. The funds provide secure access to decent, affordable and safe housing for underprivileged Indianapolis residents. Moreau and his wife, Ann, partnered with The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention to establish the Joseph W. Fahy Graduate Fellowship in the IU School of Social Work. The $5,000 award commemorates Joseph Fahy, a newspaper reporter who was known for his advocacy on behalf of the vulnerable and voiceless members of society. It assists Master of Social Work students who are interested in the issue of homelessness.