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Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLCMember
John W. Bilby
Pro

John W. Bilby

4.9
1 review

500 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Business Litigation, Securities Litigation and Trust and Estate Litigation

About John W. Bilby

John is a seasoned litigator and a member of Stoll Keenon Ogden’s Business Litigation practice. He also co-chairs the Trust & Estate Litigation practice. John’s career is highlighted by numerous successes in courts, recovering assets and resolving claims for the benefit of his clients.

Recognition

• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

• Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, 2014, 2017, 2018

• Best Lawyers®, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, Real Estate Litigation, Securities Litigation, Trusts & Estates Litigation, 2007-present

• Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honoree, 2011-2020

• Trust & Estate Attorney of the Year in Kentucky, Global Law Experts, 2015

• Best in Technology Transfer Disputes in Kentucky, Corporate America Awards, 2015

• Trust & Estate Attorney of the Year in Kentucky, Corporate Intl Magazine Global Award, 2014, 2015

• Louisville Magazine Top Lawyer, Business/Commercial Law, 2012-2014; Business Litigation, 2013 and 2014

Legal Practice

In my practice, I litigate business, estate and trust, and fiduciary disputes. I focus on contract disputes involving technology transfers and fiduciary disputes involving banks, trust companies and brokerages. I also represent fiduciaries in disputes with trust beneficiaries over the management of trust assets. My trial experience includes significant cases involving business disputes over computer software and fiduciary matters.

Recent highlights of my career include the following:

• SKO successfully defended a bank against 36 claims for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and negligence brought by seven beneficiaries of two trusts, with an initial demand ranging from $450 million to $1.2 billion. Before trial, SKO obtained a summary judgment, dismissing 10 of the beneficiaries’ claims and reducing their demand to $162 million. Following a three-week trial, the court entered judgment in favor of the bank against the remaining claims. The bank also sought recovery of costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees under the fee-shifting statute of Kentucky’s Uniform Trust Code. The court awarded $2.6 million, more than 95 percent of the amount in the bank’s motion, in one of the first awards rendered by a Kentucky appellate court under the fee-shifting statute.

Looking Ahead

Estate, trust, fiduciary and securities litigation have become a much larger part of our trial practice. The generation now reaching retirement age has accumulated wealth; with it comes claims against fiduciaries, among beneficiaries and against brokerages.

Work Highlights

Estate Litigation

After a 2 ½ week trial in the Bourbon Circuit Court in 2013, obtained a favorable jury verdict setting aside an estate plan on the basis of undue influence and unsound mind and awarding damages exceeding $550,000 for misappropriation of Trust funds.

Related Practices: Trust & Estate Litigation

Abuse of Power of Attorney & Joint Account

SKO successfully represented a trust company appointed as conservator for an individual diagnosed with dementia who had millions of dollars taken from him by his attorney-in-fact (power of attorney) who also fraudulently created joint survivorship accounts. The individual also generated a will in his favor. SKO successfully voided the will and recovered more than $16 million in assets.

Related Practices: Trust & Estate Litigation, Business Litigation, Business Torts

Suitability Claims

SKO successfully represented a bank acting in a fiduciary capacity in pursuing suitability claims against a securities firm. The amount recovered for our client was approximately $10,000,000.

Related Practices: Banking, Securities Litigation, Business Litigation

News

118 SKO Attorneys Named to “2023 U.S. News Best Lawyers® in America”, Aug. 18, 2022

77 STOLL KEENON OGDEN ATTORNEYS HONORED IN “BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA” 2022 Edition, Aug. 19, 2021

73 Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC attorneys are recognized in the 2021 edition of the Best Lawyers in America®, one of the most respected legal peer-review guides in the world., Aug. 20, 2020

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 47 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 27, 2019

SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2020 Best Lawyers in America®, Aug. 15, 2019

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 52 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Dec. 11, 2018

SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2019 Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 15, 2018

SKO Named Litigation Firm of the Year for the 5th Time, Feb. 16, 2018

SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 16, 2017

Trustee Awarded $2.6 Million From Beneficiaries Who Sued For $1.2 Billion, Mar. 1, 2017

Five SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 18, 2016

Best Lawyers in America Chooses 61 SKO Attorneys for 2017 Publication, Aug. 30, 2016

Twelve SKO Attorneys Named 2017 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers®, Aug. 29, 2016

30 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 2, 2016

SKO Honored as Kentucky’s Litigation Law Firm of the Year; M&A Practice Named State’s Best, Dec. 22, 2015

Lea Pauley Goff and Richard G. Griffith named among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 30, 2015

SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2016, Aug. 17, 2015

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 57 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 24, 2014

SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2015, Aug. 18, 2014

33 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 25, 2014

Six SKO Attorneys Receive “Attorney of the Year” Status by Corp INTL, Jan. 27, 2014

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 42 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 26, 2013

SKO Attorneys Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers, Sep. 24, 2013

SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2014, Aug. 19, 2013

34 SKO Attorneys Names “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 5, 2013

61 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2013, Sep. 7, 2012

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 31 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, July 20, 2012

53 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2012, Sep. 6, 2011

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 SKO Attorneys, July 25, 2011

53 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2011, Aug. 6, 2010

49 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 6, 2009

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 41 SKO Attorneys, June 19, 2008

39 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Sep. 19, 2007

Affiliations

• American Bar Association

• Indiana Bar Association

• Kentucky Bar Association; Ethics Committee member, 2005

• Citizens for Better Judges, 1989 - present; Advisory Board member, 2017-present

 

John W. Bilby (Louisville, Kentucky) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

John W. Bilby got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for John W.

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Overall Rating
4.9
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4.9
Martindale
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Business Law 1
    • Business Litigation
  • Other 2
    • Securities Litigation
    • Trust and Estate Litigation

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1975, Kentucky
    1989, Indiana
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
    United States Supreme Court
    Memberships
    American Bar Association
    Indiana Bar Association
    Kentucky Bar Association
    Ethics Committee member, 2005
    Citizens for Better Judges, 1989 - present
    Advisory Board member, 2017-present.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law
    Class of 1975
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of Kentucky
    Class of 1971
    B.B.A.

    University of Kentucky
    Class of 1972
    M.B.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    John W. Bilby was admitted in 1975 to the State of Kentucky.
  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, John W. Bilby is admitted to practice in Indiana and Kentucky.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    John W. Bilby is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky and United States Supreme Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, John W. Bilby has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    John W. Bilby attended University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.

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