Charles D. Cole

Member
ccole@sturgillturner.com | 859.255.8581

Charley has worked with governmental entities and their officials since joining Sturgill Turner more than 20 years ago. His legal experience first began with a lawsuit involving a mayor, city council, police chief and a police officer, which concerns U.S. Constitutional allegations as well as the statutory due process rights of police officers. His experience has grown to a practice that involves almost every aspect of city governments.

He is well recognized in the area of police officer discipline, including Kentucky’s Police Officer Bill of Rights, which is now applicable not only to city police departments but also to sheriff’s departments and universities, all of which he is currently or has represented. He also represents employers in civil lawsuits; however, he previously obtained one of Franklin Circuit Court’s largest jury verdicts for his representation of an employment law plaintiff.

Charley’s practice is not limited to civil lawsuits; however, as he has for many years been involved with in providing prompt response to personnel and other matters that regularly arise with his clients that often require a rapid response under the spotlight of public attention.

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Areas of Practice

Featured

Employment Law

Government & Municipal Law

Police Law

Utilities & Energy

Representative Experience

KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT

Stephen Derrick Hill v. City of Mt. Washington, 448 S.W.3d 746 (Ky. 2014). Litigation concerning the applicability and scope of Kentucky’s Police Officers’ Bill of Rights.

Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control v. City of Somerset, Kentucky, No. 2014–SC–000154–MR, 2014 WL 5410325. City brought suit against ABC seeking determination that it usurped its statutorily defined role in process of distributing licenses. ABC petitioned the Supreme Court for writ of prohibition to block trial court from proceeding, which was denied.

County of Harlan v. Appalachian Regional Health Care, Inc., 85 S.W. 3d 607 (Ky. 2002). Hospital providing medical treatment to indigent prisoners petitioned for writ of mandamus after dispute arose between hospital and county jailer regarding payment for medical services.

KENTUCKY COURT OF APPEALS

Michael W. Littrell vs. Michael Bosse and City of Georgetown, 581 S.W.3d 584 (Ky. App. 2019). The Plaintiff alleged contractual interference, harassment, and official misconduct involving communications regarding social media posts about other pending litigation.

Jeffrey Pearce v. City of Harrodsburg, et al., 440 S.W.3d 392 (Ky. App. 2014). The Plaintiff Police Officer alleged violations of his Police Officer Bill of Rights and also constructive discharge.

Snowden v. City of Wilmore, 412 S.W.3d 195 (Ky. Ct. App. 2013). Litigation concerning alleged contractual and business relations interference, involving annexation, zoning and proposed development of a horse farm.

SIXTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

Williams v. London Utility Com’n, 375 F.3d 424 (6th Cir. 2004). Breach of contract, constitutional and ADA allegations.

Tucker v. City of Richmond, 388 F.3d 216 (2004 WL-2402488 (6th Cir. 2004). First Amendment retaliation.

Shamaeizadeh v. Cunigan, 338 F.3d 535 (6th Cir. 2003). Unlawful search and seizure.

Seminars

Judicial Update, Municipal Attorneys Association of Kentucky (MAAK) Annual Municipal Law Seminar (2013-2022)

Kentucky’s Police Officer Bill of Rights, Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association Conference (December 2022)

Police Officer Discipline, Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police Conference (July 2021)

Right of Entry/Denial of Entry, Kentucky League of Cities Blighted, Abandoned & Dilapidated (BAD) Property Conference (June 2018)

Advanced Legal Issues Affecting Local Governments and Municipalities: An Ultimate Guide, National Business Institute CLE (December 2016)

An Update on the Police Officer Bill of Rights, Kentucky (Larger) Home Rule Cities Meeting

(August 2016)

A Current Look at Government Immunity, National Business Institute Local Government Law CLE (2015)

Frequent speaker and CLE lecturer on topics concerning governmental and quasi-governmental entities and their officials.

Accolades

Best Lawyers in America®: Municipal Law

Kentucky Super Lawyers®: State, Local & Municipal, Civil Rights, General Litigation

Inclusion in Trial Law, Inc.’s 2008 list of “Kentucky’s Million Dollar Opening Statements” based upon a jury verdict rendered in his client’s favor in Franklin Circuit Court.