Jeffrey K. Phillips

Executive Committee / Member
Jeffrey K. Phillips

Biography

Jeff Phillips concentrates his practice on complex litigation. He represents businesses, individuals, and governmental agencies in claims of wrongful death, fraud, contract breach, commercial disputes, unlawful employment practices, business interruption, and serious personal injury. Jeff has tried cases to verdict in federal and state courts for nearly 30 years. Jeff has also been involved in administrative and appellate proceedings, plus Title IX hearings for institutions of higher education. He is the Managing Member of the firm’s Lexington, Kentucky office.

Representative Experience

  • Represented university provost in defamation claim
  • Represented college department chair in allegation of disability discrimination
  • Represented university in dispute related to the federal student aid program
  • Prosecuted Title IX proceedings on behalf of a public university
  • Defended major public university in claims of discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful employment practices
  • Defended businesses, governmental entities, and non-profits in wrongful death lawsuits
  • Defended a product distributor, an international service provider, and mining companies in quadriplegia claims
  • Represented a major coal operator in a multi-million dollar subsidence allegation
  • Defended governmental agency in multi-plaintiff sexual misconduct claims
  • Represented Fortune 1000 companies in contract breach cases and personal injury lawsuits
  • Represented a major insurer in insurance coverage disputes
  • Defended institution of higher education in claims of wrongful employment practices
  • Defended a company with international operations from allegations of negligence
  • Represented numerous businesses and individuals in contract disputes
  • Defended mine operators in fatality and injury investigations by MSHA, the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety & Licensing, and the West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety & Training
  • Defended a national company accused of Consumer Protection Act violations
  • Presented at many industry associations’ legal training meetings and seminars

Licensed In

  • Kentucky
  • West Virginia

Education

  • J.D. University of Pittsburgh School of Law
  • B.S. Point Park College

Memberships

  • Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc.
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Health & Safety Committee, Kentucky Coal Association
  • Trustee, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (Mentor)
  • Parents Committee, Centre College
  • Insurance Institute of Kentucky
  • Commerce Lexington
  • Kentucky Defense Counsel

Achievements

  • Peer Review Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Litigation: General Commercial (2023-Present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2022-Present), Energy Law (2020-Present), Mining Law (2015-Present), Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2011-Present)
  • Best Lawyers® 2019 Lexington, KY Mining Law, Lawyer of the Year
  • Super Lawyers® Energy & Natural Resources Law, Personal Injury Law, Business Litigation Law, Lexington, KY (2007-2009)

Speaking Engagements

  • Steptoe & Johnson’s Corporate Representative Depositions Training, February 2020
  • “Drones – Safety Benefits and Legal Challenges,” Marshall University Safety Conference, September 2019
  • “Drone Law,” Greater Lexington Paralegal Association, April 2018
  • “Flagrant Violations,” Panelist, EMLF Mine Safety & Health Special Institute, March 2018
  • “Drone Law,” National Business Institute, May 2017
  • “Depositions: Tricks and Traps,” Morgan Insurance Conference sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University, April 2017
  • “Safety and the Multi-Employer Worksite,” Ohio Safety Congress & Expo, March 2017
  • Panelist, “Investigations and Document Requests,” Mine Safety & Health Law Special Institute, Sept. 2016
  • Panelist, “Future Flight UAS Conference: Drone Technology within the Oil and Gas Industry,” April 2016

Related Services

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