Successfully defended the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s declaration of the winner of the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby before the Eastern District of Kentucky and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Authored first-in-the-nation Opinion of the Attorney General concluding that Kentucky law prohibits the consideration of “ESG” in investment decisions made by Kentucky’s public pension systems.

Represented the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in an action challenging the implementation of regulations governing historical horse racing at the Commonwealth’s racing associations.

Authored an Opinion of the Attorney General concluding that the Governor, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and other state and local officials, were prohibited from closing religiously affiliated schools during the waning days of the pandemic and, in a case that went to the United States Supreme Court, represented the Commonwealth of Kentucky in a federal action asking the Court to forbid the Governor from doing that.

Represented the Commonwealth in a challenge to the Governor’s authority to shutter churches during a public health emergency to secure an injunction allowing the reopening of Kentucky churches.

Successfully defended a Commonwealth’s Attorney in a show cause hearing regarding allegations of verbal abuse made by a member of the grand jury.

Granted summary judgment in Franklin Circuit Court affirming Governor’s authority to appoint and dismiss at-will employees in Lieutenant Governor’s office.

Defense verdict on liability following two-week trial after operator of a motorcycle was killed and his wife badly injured when an oncoming truck purportedly entered their lane while rounding a curve and failed to stop quickly enough because of allegedly defective brakes.

Won summary judgment for a hotel proprietor in a wrongful death suit brought by a contractor’s estate.

Executive Branch Ethics Commission Commonwealth of Kentucky Outstanding Ethics Officer Award

Kentucky Bar Association

Woodford County Bar Association

The Federalist Society - Central Kentucky Chapter, Co-Chair

Attorney General Opinions:

OAG 22-05: Whether certain investment practices in connection with the investment of public pensions funds are consistent with Kentucky law governing fiduciary duties (May 26, 2022)

OAG 22-01: Whether a county clerk may reject a candidate’s nomination papers if the candidate does not also file finance forms (Jan. 4, 2022)

OAG 21-12: Whether, under KRS 91.752, the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government may establish an industry-specific “hotel only” management district. (Nov. 18, 2021)

OAG 20-13: Whether, during the current state of emergency caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Governor, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, or any other state or local officials may order the closure of religiously affiliated schools that are in compliance with reasonable social distancing and hygiene guidelines set forth by recognized national or international health agencies and organizations. (Aug. 19, 2020)

OAG 20-06: Whether, during a declared state of emergency, the Governor may suspend Kentucky’s laws governing elections, beyond merely rescheduling the date of the election. (March 26, 2020)

OAG 20-05: Whether, under a current state of emergency, a public agency must identify a primary physical location for a video teleconference at which the public may attend and view a public meeting conducted through video teleconference under the Open Meetings Act. (March 18, 2020)

Environmental, Social, Governance Panel with Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball and Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, Heritage Foundation State Financial Officers Foundation, Washington, DC (2022)

The Office of the Attorney General and the Role of Community Organizations, Franklin County (Ky.) Republican Women’s Club (2022)

The Kentucky Open Records & Open Meetings Acts, Kentucky County Clerks Association (2022)

The Kentucky Open Records & Open Meetings Acts, Kentucky County Attorneys’ Association (2022)

Religious Accommodations in the Workplace, International Public Management Association for Human Resources (Ky.) Spring Leadership & Development Conference: “The Magic of HR” (2020)

Religious Accommodations in the Workplace, Governor’s Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Leadership Conference (2019)

State of Legal Affairs for the Public Protection Cabinet, Governor’s Local Issues Conference (2019)

Ethical Implications & Professional Responsibility, State Government Bar Association (2019)

Catholic University of America, J.D. cum laude

The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, B.A. cum laude