A trial lawyer for more than 40 years, Steve’s practice focuses on employment law and education law. He defends employers and counsels them in all aspects of the employment relationship—from hiring and termination practices, to drafting employee contracts, to state and federal regulatory compliance. Steve’s knowledge of issues that affect higher education institutions, such as faculty tenure and student civil rights, stems from his three decades as counsel to a number of colleges and universities and his involvement with the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
Steve’s legal accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He is a five-time Best Lawyers in America® Lexington Employment “Lawyer of the Year” was recently recognized by Best Lawyers as Lexington’s 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of labor and employment litigation. He was named the 2011 recipient of the Henry T. Duncan Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Fayette County Bar Association to recognize annually a member of the bar whose integrity, leadership and professional conduct exemplifies the high ethical and professional standards that benefit the community.
In addition, Steve is a certified mediator, and frequently mediates cases involving civil and domestic relations property disputes.
PRACTICE GROUPS
- Education Law
- Employment Law
- Mediations
EDUCATION
- University of Tennessee, B.S. (1972)
- University of Kentucky, J.D. (1975)
- Order of the Coif
- Kentucky Law Journal
COURT ADMISSIONS
- Kentucky
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky
DISTINCTIONS
- Kentucky Super Lawyers (2007-Present), Schools & Education, Employment Litigation: Defense
- Best Lawyers in America, Lexington Labor and Employment Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” (2021)
- Fayette County Bar Association, Henry T. Duncan Award (2011)
- Best Lawyers in America (2001-Present), Employment Law - Individuals; Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor & Employment
- Kentucky Labor Letter, Editorial Board (1999-2001)
- CLE lecturer and author on litigation, employment law, education law and mediation topics
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
- Fayette County Bar Association
- Fayette County Bar Association, President (2003-04)
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Kentucky Bar Association Inquiry Commission (2005-Present)
- Kentucky Bar Association House of Delegates (1986-92)
- American Bar Association, Employment Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections
- Defense Research Institute
- National Association of College and University Attorneys, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Co-Chair (1998-2000)
- Litigation Counsel of America
COMMUNITY & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
- Fayette County Legal Aid, Director (1984-2009)
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Ethics Commission, Member (1999-2003)
- Fayette County Law Library Trustee (2003-Present)
- University of Kentucky College of Law, Lafftery Society