Tabitha K. Meier

Tabitha’s national and international practice is focused on compliance. Notably, she advises on the development and deployment of effective compliance programs for her clients’ businesses, including risk assessment, training, policies and procedures, and investigations – all informed by a thorough understanding of the business environment. 

By identifying and incorporating many points of view when advising clients, Tabitha acts as a relational change agent who delivers solutions that are integrated into her clients’ business process and have the potential to positively impact their bottom line. She is at her best helping clients to realize commercial success while remaining compliant with the laws. An educator who firmly believes in preventative action as a component of ongoing compliance, Tabitha proactively works with executives at all levels to ensure they understand the laws and how evolving regulation will directly impact their business. 

Tabitha served on the attorney team assisting the independent corporate compliance monitor for a large U.S. medical device manufacturer and distributor, pursuant to the company’s deferred prosecution agreements with the U.S. government. Tabitha also is a member of the core team assisting the Special Compliance Coordinator appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to monitor, assess and report on the U.S. export control compliance of Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, of Shenzhen, China, and ZTE Kangxun Telecommunications Ltd. of Hi-New Shenzhen, China (collectively, ZTE). 

Tabitha also supports the firm’s federal contracting, procurement and national security team in the development of effective ethics and anti-corruption compliance programs.

Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Tabitha served as compliance counsel for Hillenbrand, Inc., a publicly traded global diversified industrial company. As compliance counsel, she developed and led the company's anti-corruption, business ethics, trade control, international data privacy and conflict minerals compliance activities and protocols; conducted internal investigations; and was responsible for advising executive management and the board of directors on compliance matters. 

While at Hillenbrand, Tabitha also developed and oversaw the overall compliance function, as well as provided training and legal advice to employees at all levels of the company. She handled compliance M&A due diligence and delivered international compliance support, advice and leadership in many countries, including the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Italy, China, Russia and India. Tabitha’s time abroad also included an expatriate assignment to Stuttgart, Germany, in 2015. 

Prior to serving as compliance counsel, Tabitha handled all employment and litigation matters for Hillenbrand. She was also a litigation associate for a large Indianapolis-based law firm before going in-house.