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Biography

Kathryn is an accomplished appellate lawyer with thirty years’ experience in the federal and state appellate courts. Clients and peers regularly praise Kathryn’s discerning legal analysis and persuasive writing at both the trial and appellate level. As a former English teacher, Kathryn has a unique ability to translate sophisticated legal arguments and technical jargon in ways that inform and persuade judges at all levels.

Kathryn joined the Lexington, Kentucky, office of Brown Todd & Heyburn in 1990. For the past 20 years, Kathryn has served as the senior appellate practice group member in firm’s Lexington office where she handles appellate briefing in a wide variety of cases, including commercial disputes, employment litigation, probate matters, products liability actions and First Amendment cases. As a result of her extensive experience across several practice areas, Kathryn has handled appeals in more than 150 matters in state and federal appellate courts.

Kathryn’s practice is not limited to the appellate courts. She regularly analyzes and drafts dispositive motions in complex matters of business litigation, employment, trust and estates, Constitutional cases, and products liability. She also consults with trial counsel to develop and preserve arguments for future appeals and to assist with preservation of error at trial and pre-trial proceedings. Clients and trial counsel routinely seek Kathryn’s legal analysis and evaluation of cases before, during, and after trial in relation to dispositive motions, potential appeals or settlement.

Other Info About Kathryn

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Handled the briefing of several successful white-collar criminal and bankruptcy appeals before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Briefed multiple appeals to the Kentucky Supreme Court in relation to the rehabilitation and liquidation of a national insurance company.

Defends local governments and governmental agencies in civil rights actions, employment disputes, First Amendment cases and public pension litigation.

Represents private companies, public utilities and power cooperatives in a variety of commercial and employment matters before state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Member of a national defense team representing general contractors in construction defect and product liability cases across the United States. Worked closely with local counsel in several states and served as the lead research and briefing attorney in more than 400 products liability and construction defect cases related to the installation and use of synthetic stucco.

Since 2016, member of a national and regional team defending the manufacturer of transvaginal mesh in multi-district products liability litigation as well as in cases filed in or remanded to state and federal courts in Kentucky.

Education

Law School

University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 1990
Order of Coif

Undergraduate School

Centre College, B.S., 1986

British Studies at Oxford

Bar Memberships

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

Kentucky

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Fayette County Bar Association

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Samaritan’s Purse International, Central Kentucky Area Coordinator, Operation Christmas Child Project

Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels

Habitat for Humanity, former Committee Member, Central Kentucky Chapter

Pregnancy Resource Center of Central Kentucky, former Member, Board of Directors

Pregnancy Resource Center of Central Kentucky, former President, Board of Directors

Centre College Colonels’ Club, Blue Seal Colonel, former Front & Centre Fundraising Campaign Major Gifts Committee Member