Providing legal excellence for over 65 years in Kentucky
Education
- University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky
- J.D. - 1978
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- B.A. - 1975
- Honors: With Highest distinction
- Honors: Outstanding Sophomore Woman
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Kappa Alpha Theta - President 1974-1975
- Major: Journalism
Bar Admission
- Kentucky, 1978
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky, 1979
- U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky, 1979
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1985
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1988
Practice Areas
- Employment Law & Litigation
- Civil & Commercial Litigation
- Trucking Defense
- Civil Rights Litigation
- Municipal Defense
- Professional Negligence Defense
- Construction Litigation
- Business & Individual Premises Liability
- Represent Businesses before the EEOC
- Property Management Defense
- HOA Litigation
Published Works
- Legislative Changes in Workers' Compensation: The Pendulum Swings Kentucky Bench & Bar, October, 1982
Representative Cases
- Kendrick v. Bland, 1989, US Supreme Court
Honors
- Top 25 Women, Kentucky Super Lawyers®
- Recognized for 25 years of certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Best Lawyers in America, 2017, Employment Law – Individuals and Employment Law – Management in Lexington
- Best Lawyers in America, 2016, Employment Law – Individuals and Employment Law – Management in Lexington
- Top 25 Female Kentucky Super Lawyer® for Employment and Labor Law, 2015
- Best Lawyers in America, 2015, Employment Law – Individuals
- Best Lawyers in America, 2015, Employment Law – Management
- Appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court in Kendrick v. Bland
- Kentucky Super Lawyers, 2008 – 2020
- Best Lawyers in America
- Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year 2014 for Employment Law – Individuals, Lexington
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Pre-eminent
- Henry T. Duncan Award, by FCBA for Distinguished Personal and Professional Conduct, 1997
- Best Lawyers in America, 2020, Employment Law – Individuals
- Best Lawyers in America, 2020, Employment Law – Management in Lexington
- Selected to the 2022 KY Super Lawyers TOP 25 list
- Best Lawyers in America, 2023, Employment Law- Defendants in Lexington
- Best Lawyers in America, 2024 – Employment Law – Individuals and Employment Law – Management
- Lawyer of the Year 2024 – Employment Law Individuals
Classes & Seminars
- UK Employment Seminars, 2009 to Present
Pro-Bono Activities
- Chair, Fayette County Pro Bono Association, 1989 to 1990
- Treasurer, Board Member, President, Fayette County Bar Association, 1986 to 1990
- Board Member, IOLTA, 1985 to 1991
- Lexington Fayette County Planning Commission, Member, 1991 to 1998
Representative Clients
- Nationwide
- One Beacon
- LFUCG
- Scottsdale
- Western Heritage
- Great West Casualty
- Heritage Hospice
- Worldwide Equipment
- Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company of Kentucky
Past Positions
- Commonwealth of Kentucky, Assistant Attorney General, 1978 to 1979
Fraternities or Sororities
- Phi Beta Kappa
Professional Associations
- Fayette County Bar Association, President, 1989 to 1990
- Fayette County Bar Association, President-Elect, 1988 to 1989
- Fayette County Bar Association, Vice-President, 1987 to 1988
- Fayette County Bar Association, Treasurer, 1986 to 1987
- Kentucky Bar Association, Commission Expires, 11/2004
- Kentucky Bar Association, IOLTA Board of Trustees, Trustee for 5'" Judicial District, 1986 to 1993
- Kentucky Bar Association, Treasurer, 1988 to 1993
- Kentucky Bar Association, Board of Directors, Kentucky Bar Foundation, 1990 to 1993
- Kentucky Bar Association, KBA Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions, Civil, 1990 to Present
- Kentucky Bar Association, CLE Chair, Mid-Winter Convention, 1991 to 1991
- Kentucky Bar Association, Kentucky Supreme Court Trial Commissioner, Disciplinary, 1988 to Present
- Kentucky Bar Association, Member, Biden Committee for Judicial Efficiency, Appointed by Federal Judges, Eastern District of Kentucky, 1990 to 1995
- American Bar Association
- Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys
- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Fayette County Bar Pro Bono Association, Chair, 1988 to 1989
- National Board of Trial Advocacy, Certified Trial Specialist, 1991 to Present
- Super Lawyers of Kentucky, 2008 to Present
- Best Lawyers, Employment, 2011 to Present
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2008 to Present
- Federal Rules Committee, Kentucky Federal Courts, Member, 2017 to Present
Certified Legal Specialties
- Civil Trial Specialist (Kentucky does not certify specialties in legal fields), National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1991
Current Employment Position
- Partner