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Biography

Nolan is a nationally recognized litigation and regulatory attorney. He has built his practice handling complex business disputes and regulatory matters in federal courts and state courts throughout Kentucky. He has successfully defended clients in administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings, including before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additionally, Nolan helped grow Frost Brown Todd’s hemp regulatory group into the preeminent practice in the United States. As a key member of the group, Nolan advises clients at all levels of the hemp and consumable goods supply chains, assisting them with federal and state law compliance; contract disputes; inspections; labeling, packaging, and warning requirements; licensing; and public disclosures.

Nolan’s extensive prior experience includes internships with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, U.S. House of Representatives, and UK Parliament House of Lords. While in law school, Nolan was a member of the Moot Court Board National Team and Kentucky Law Journal and served as a College of Law Senator and University Supreme Court Justice.

 

Other Info About Nolan

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

In the nation’s first-of-its-kind administrative appeal, successfully defended equine client in overturning sanctions under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)

In federal court, won summary judgment upholding the city of Lexington’s digital billboard sign regulation

In federal court, won summary judgment against sales contract claim seeking nearly $3 billion in damages

In federal immigration court, successfully defended client in asylum proceedings and represented client in obtaining adjustment of legal status

Under emergency circumstances, assisted client in being deemed a life-sustaining business and being permitted to resume operations during COVID-19 closure

In federal court, represented plaintiff in obtaining $362,000 judgment on brokerage agreement claim

Won dismissal of felony criminal indictment against hemp products distributor

In federal court, won dismissal of $15 million complaint asserting conspiracy, fraud, and RICO claims

Successfully defended hemp processor in administrative proceedings before the Kentucky Department of Agriculture

In numerous cases in various federal courts, successfully defended regional and national businesses against website accessibility claims asserted under the Americans With Disabilities Act

Education

Law School

University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 2016

Undergraduate School

University of Kentucky, B.A., Political Science, 2013, magna cum laude

Certifications

Johns Hopkins University, Certificate in Intelligence, 2020

Bar Memberships

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

Washington, DC, 2022

Kentucky, 2016

 

Courts

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

Supreme Court of the United States

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

 

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Selected to Kentucky Rising Stars, 2023-2025

CALI Award, Law and The Wire: A Seminar, 2016

Best Oral Advocate, Legal Research & Writing Club, 2014

Henry Clay Award, Kentucky Society of Washington, 2012

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Fayette County Bar Association

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Kentucky Film Commission, 2020-2022

Trees Lexington!, Inc., Director, 2017-2021

Governor-elect Andy Beshear and Lieutenant Governor-elect Jacqueline Coleman Transition Team, Energy & Environment Cabinet subcommittee

Kappa Sigma Fraternity

Major Publications

Nolan is an author or contributor to the following publications:

Co-author, “Recent Developments in Cannabis Law,” TIPS Law Journal’s Survey Issue (58:2), September 2023

“What is HHC? A breakdown of hexahydrocannabinol, how it’s made, its effects, and more,” quoted in Hemp Grower (2022) (view article)

“The State of Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids,” quoted in Hemp Grower (2021) (view article)

“Understand Delta-8 with CBD Brand Protection PR™,” featured on the Move the Stairs: CBD Brand Protection PR™ Podcast (2021) (listen to episode)

“What the Polls Produce: Why Kentucky Should Retain Nonpartisan Elective Selection of its Supreme Court Justices,” 105 Ky. L. J. 453 (2017)

“The Evolving Law and Regulation of Industrial Hemp in the United States,” Journal of Animal and Environmental Law, 12 (2017)

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