L. Scott Miller
Member
859.255.8581
A former Kentucky State Police Trooper and Lt. Colonel, and a Sheriff’s Deputy in Tennessee, Scott brings more than 20 years experience defending police officers and helping create preventative department policies. He is distinctively credentialed to represent officers during critical incidents and officer involved shootings, and to defend the expanding area of lawsuits filed against police officers, such as malicious prosecution, illegal search and seizure, false arrest and excessive force. He also provides expert review of police policies and makes recommendations for best practices.
Scott’s law enforcement experience means he understands first-hand the issues and stress that police officers face on the job. He works hard to minimize the disruption that litigation can have on a police officer’s ability to effectively enforce the law and protect the community.
His career with the Kentucky State Police began as a trooper and expanded to include legal work as he earned his law degree while maintaining full-time employment as an officer. He oversaw litigation and has represented the Kentucky State Police and troopers in a variety of matters including civil rights cases and employment law cases. Prior to joining the Kentucky State Police in 1998, Scott was a Sheriff’s Deputy in Tennessee for five years. During college, he completed an externship with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and with the District Attorney for Tennessee’s 8th Judicial District.
Scott currently provides representation to Kentucky State Police Troopers and is panel counsel for the Kentucky Association of Counties, the Kentucky League of Cities, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Tennessee Local Government Insurance Pool, PLEA (Professional Law Enforcement Association), and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association.
Areas of Practice
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Scott represents police officers across Kentucky and Tennessee in state and federal courts, with a focus on representing them during investigations of officer involved shootings and other critical incidents.
Kentucky Supreme Court Arguments
Martin v. O’Daniel, 507 S.W.3d 1, 11-12 (Ky. 2016)
Gaither v. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, 447 S.W.3d 628 (Ky 2014)
Defense Verdicts
Hoskins v. York, No. 6:17-cv-00084 (E.D.Ky. 2022). Successfully defended police officer on claims of malicious prosecution and wrongful detention in a unanimous jury verdict.
Williams v. City of Georgetown et al, No. 18-6182 (6th Cir. 2019). Court upheld dismissal of due process and deliberate indifference claims against police officers.
Palmer v. Carter, No. 2017-CA-001846-MR (Ky.App. 2018). Successfully appealed jury verdict for malicious prosecution.
Leath v. Webb et al, 5:17-cv-00038-JMH (E.D.Ky. 2018). Successfully defended police officer on claims of excessive force in a jury verdict.
O’Daniel v. Sapp, 07-CI-00820 (Franklin CC 2018). Successfully defended police officer on claims of malicious prosecution.
Biesty v. City of Irvine and Jeff Knuckles, Civil Action No. 5:15-cv-00023-KKC (E.D.Ky. 2016). Successfully defended police officer against claims of excessive force.
Fall v. Commonwealth, 245 S.W.3d 812, (Ky.App. 2008) Published. Court affirmed circuit court’s denial of a motion for release of funds seized by the Kentucky State Police from an illegal gambling operation.
Campbell v. Stamper, 244 Fed. Appx. 629 (6th Cir. 2007). Oral argument where Court affirmed summary judgment for police officers dismissing claim of unreasonable search and seizure.
Law Enforcement:
International Association of Chiefs of Police, Legal Officers Section
Kentucky Chiefs of Police Association
Kentucky State Police Professional Association
Kentucky Law Enforcement Council – Professional Development Committee (2014-2016)
Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Executive Board (2014-2015)
Expert review for Connecticut State Police Trooper
Kentucky Law Enforcement Council Member – Professional Standards Committee
Presented on legal issues with confidential informants to the Kentucky Narcotics Officers Association Conference, KSP Intelligence Analyst Training, KSP Drug Enforcement Training
Presenter at the Commonwealth Attorneys Association Winter Conference - Garrity Rights (2016)
International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference (IACP) - Legal Officers Section Committee meeting
Member of Appalachian HIDTA Executive Board
Bureau of Justice Assistance - Task Force Commander Leadership and Management (Safeguarding Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties in Task Force Operation, Executive Leadership)
United States Attorney Federal Civil Rights Training
Traumas for Law Enforcement Training, Concerns of Police Survivors
Graduate of the Kentucky State Police Sergeant’s Leadership Academy
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Best Lawyers in America®: Civil Rights Law; Municipal Litigation; Municipal Law (2024, 2025)
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Kentucky Bar Association
Tennessee Bar Association
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Fayette County Bar Association
Leadership Kentucky, Class of 2018
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Kentucky Competitiveness Council
Fraternal Order of Police Panel Counsel for Kentucky; FOP Member, Bluegrass Lodge #04
Fraternal Order of Police Panel Counsel for Tennessee
Member of Southern States Police Benevolent Association attorney referral list for Kentucky and Tennessee
Professional Law Enforcement Association
Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) Panel Counsel
Kentucky Association of Counties (KACO) Panel Counsel
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“Trends in Law Enforcement Litigation,” Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Annual Conference (2019-2023)
“Risk Management: Why You Get Sued and How to Minimize Liability,” Kentucky Jailers Association Annual Conference (2022)
“Critical Incident Response,” Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association Annual Conference (2021-2023)
“Responding to Critical Incidents from a Legal Advisor Perspective,” International Association of Chiefs of Police, Legal Officers Section (May 2022)
“Critical Incident Management Webinar: Officer-Involved Shooting,” Kentucky League of Cities (October 2021)
“Criminally Accused Turned Civil Plaintiff: The Lawsuit Trend,” Regional Organized Crime Information Center (ROCIC) (August 2021)
“Police Reform: What You Need to Know,” presentation for the National Business Institute (July 2020)
“Why Employers Get Sued: How You Can Stop It,” CLE presentation for the National Business Institute (June 2019)
“Section 1983 Claims and Government Liability,” “Ethics,” CLE presentations for the National Business Institute “Municipal Law from Start to Finish,” (March 2019)
“Section 1983 Defense and Police Liability,” CLE presentation for the National Business Institute “Advanced Legal Issues Affecting Local Government and Municipalities: The Ultimate Guide” (November 2018)
“Precautions in the Use of Confidential Informants,” National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agents (NASDEA) Spring Conference (2018)
“A Current Look at Prosecutorial Immunity,” Kentucky Commonwealth Attorney’s Association Winter Conference (2018)
“A Current Look at Governmental Immunity,” NBI Local Government Compliance Seminar (2017)
“Garrity Rights,” Commonwealth Attorneys Association Winter Conference (2016)
Advanced Legal Issues Affecting Local Governments and Municipalities: An Ultimate Guide, National Business Institute CLE (December 2016)
Presented numerous legal, HR, and other training seminars for the Kentucky State Police and other law enforcement organizations.
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Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law, J.D.
Tusculum College, B.A.