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Biography

Justin focuses his practice in the areas of insurance bad faith, construction litigation, insurance coverage, and business litigation.  He has experience at all stages of litigation, including pre-litigation dispute resolution, arbitration, pretrial discovery, trial, and appeal.  He devotes a substantial amount of his time to defending contractors, insurers, and corporate defendants.  Justin currently represents numerous construction companies, national insurers, and other local, regional, and national companies.

Justin has successfully handled hundreds of matters and prides himself on an aggressive, results-oriented approach dictated by his clients’ specific goals.  Justin has assisted defense clients in obtaining dismissal in pretrial stages, negotiated many favorable settlements, obtained summary judgment on large value claims, and has helped obtain favorable verdicts for clients at trial.  Representing local, regional, national and international clients, Justin has practiced before courts throughout Kentucky and in numerous federal courts throughout the country.

In recognition of the successful results he has achieved for his clients, Justin has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and a Top Lawyer by Louisville Magazine.  Justin’s peers elected him as the Chair-elect of the Kentucky Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section, which assists in formulation of guidelines for civil litigation in Kentucky.  He also previously served as the Louisville Bar Association’s Chair of the Civil Litigation Section. In 2018, Louisville Business First named Justin to its inaugural class of Young Leader Award winners for demonstrating excellence in both the workplace and the local community. He has also put on professional education seminars for attorneys on the issues of insurance bad faith and legal ethics.

Prior to joining Frost Brown Todd, Justin graduated with honors from the University of Louisville School of Law where he was elected president of his class and was a member of the Brandeis Law Journal. Upon graduation, Justin was the only student in his class to be awarded the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award, which is given annually to the student who has distinguished himself in the field of trial advocacy. When not practicing law, Justin enjoys cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals and spending time with his wife, Dani, and daughter, Grace.

Other Info About Justin

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Arla v. Peerless Ins. Co., No. 315CV00596GNSCHL, 2017 WL 4227660 (W.D. Ky. Sept. 22, 2017), aff’d sub nom. Arla v. Liberty Mut. Grp., Inc., No. 17-6253, 2018 WL 1358872 (6th Cir. Mar. 16, 2018)

Arla v. Peerless Ins. Co., No. 315CV00596GNSCHL, 2016 WL 1465437 (W.D. Ky. Apr. 14, 2016), aff’d sub nom. Arla v. Liberty Mut. Grp., Inc., No. 17-6253, 2018 WL 1358872 (6th Cir. Mar. 16, 2018)

Wellman v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am., No. CV 14-166-HRW, 2016 WL 2757705 (E.D. Ky. May 11, 2016)

Wellman v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am., No. CV 14-166-HRW, 2017 WL 3097619 (E.D. Ky. July 20, 2017)

Trilegiant Corp. v. Sitel Corp., No. 09 CIV. 6492 KBF, 2013 WL 2181193 (S.D.N.Y. May 20, 2013)

Hammons v. Simmons, No. CIV. A. 3:09CV-217-S, 2010 WL 3490994, (W.D. Ky. Aug. 31, 2010)

Education

Law School

University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, J.D., 2008, cum laude

Undergraduate School

University of Kentucky, B.A., 2004, summa cum laude, Political Science, minor in History

Bar Memberships

Justin is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky

Courts

Justin is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Kentucky Rising Stars®, 2015-2018

Louisville Business First, Young Leaders Award, 2018

Frost Brown Todd Diversity and Inclusion Award, 2018

Louisville Magazine “Top Lawyer ” – Personal Injury Defense, 2013 & 2014

Frost Brown Todd Mentor of the Year, 2012

International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award

Leon Siedman Memorial Award for demonstrating honesty, integrity and a commitment to community service

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Kentucky Bar Association Civil Litigation Section Chair Elect – 2018-2020

Ignite Louisville @ Leadership Louisville Center – 2019-2020

University of Louisville Alumni Association Board Member, 2019-2020

University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law Alumni Council President, 2018

Louisville Bar Association Leadership Academy, Class of 2014-2015

Louisville Bar Association Litigation Section Chair, 2017

Brandeis Honor Society

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Mentor – Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2014-2015

Kentucky Refugee Ministries Pro Bono Volunteer

Domestic Violence Advocacy Program Pro Bono Volunteer

Firm Committees

Justin serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Diversity Scholarship Committee Chair, 2017-2019

Major Publications

Justin is an author or contributor to the following publications:

“A Decade of Fair Construction Litigation in Kentucky,” (Louisville Bar Association Bench and Bar, May 2017)

“Judge issues restraining order in trainer Umarov’s favor,” (Daily Racing Form, June 23, 2016)

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