Government & Municipal Law
Sturgill Turner’s attorneys are experienced in providing comprehensive representation to cities, counties, state agencies, law enforcement, and other quasi-governmental entities. We have defended cities and public agencies in an array of matters, including alleged constitutional violations by governmental bodies and/or government officials and workers’ compensation claims. A small sampling of the other legal issues that cities have called on us for assistance includes:
EMPLOYMENT & PERSONNEL ISSUES
Sturgill Turner is uniquely positioned to address the employment and personnel needs of cities. Sturgill Turner’s Government and Municipal Law group works closely with our attorneys who specialize in employment law to provide cities with the most up-to-date, thorough employment law counsel. We’re available to draft personnel policies, represent cities in employee discipline actions, and defend cities against allegations of wrongful termination, discrimination, and violation of constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech. We also provide counsel and training on personnel matters, like employment hearings, hiring and firing, written policies, employee manuals, sexual harassment prevention and requests for accommodations in safety-related positions, including the ever-increasing use of prescription drugs.
UTILITIES
With the expertise of former Kentucky Public Service Commission Chair, Jim Gardner, and a former PSC staff attorney, Todd Osterloh, Sturgill Turner has the distinctive capability to counsel cities on legal issues covering the provision of utilities to customers. Their experience spans representing cities in rate cases, easement issues, and sewer backup lawsuits.
POLICE OFFICER ISSUES
Sturgill Turner has extensive experience representing cities in the process of disciplining or terminating police officers. Charley Cole has litigated Kentucky’s Police Officer Bill of Rights all the way to the Kentucky Supreme Court. With the institutional expertise of former Kentucky State Police Trooper and Lt. Colonel, Scott Miller, Sturgill Turner’s Government and Municipal Law group is distinctively credentialed to defend the expanding area of lawsuits filed against police officers, such as malicious prosecution, illegal search and seizure, false arrest and excessive force.
INVESTIGATIONS
Sturgill Turner has also expanded its services to include independent investigations within police departments. Sturgill Turner has extensive knowledge in police policies and procedures that has been enhanced with the addition of attorney and former KSP Lt. Colonel Scott Miller. Our attorneys are well-equipped to conduct employment and departmental investigations.
OPEN RECORDS ACT & OPEN MEETINGS ACT
Our attorneys are often called upon by cities to assist with Open Records Act and Open Meetings Act issues. Sturgill Turner’s government and municipal law attorneys are incredibly well-versed in guiding public entities through the process of responding to open records requests, and ensuring that open meetings guidelines are properly followed.
SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
Our strong understanding of the various complex immunities available to public entities has contributed to our successes arguing and advancing the concepts of sovereign immunity and qualified official immunity applicable to governmental and quasi-governmental entities.
CITY ATTORNEY
Several of our members serve as the city attorney for central Kentucky municipalities, and as a result, possess a working knowledge of the municipal law issues faced by cities on a daily basis. We’ve also represented governmental entities and those who deal with them on matters involving alcohol and gun laws, state and local tax issues, inter-local agreements and a variety of other contracts and dealings.
