Derrick T. Wright

Member
dwright@sturgillturner.com | 859.255.8581

Derrick Wright’s practice concentrates on civil rights within the government sector. His experience includes defending local governments and officials from Section 1983 claims involving constitutional law as well as employment and personnel issues.

Derrick is a former law clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert E. Wier, which offered an invaluable perspective from within the judiciary as well as the opportunity to learn from a talented jurist. With his unique blend of skills and experience, Derrick has successfully represented clients in a variety of forums, ranging from administrative agencies to state and federal appellate courts.

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Areas of Practice

Featured

Employment Law

Government & Municipal Law

Representative Experience

Defending local governments and their officials against Section 1983 claims involving due process, search and seizure, excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution. Court decisions include:

Williams v. City of Stanford, 2021 WL 1343507 (E.D. Ky. April 9, 2021) Successful summary judgment motion to dismiss federal due process claim involving home demolition
Biesty v. Knuckles, Case No. 5:15-23-KKC (E.D. Ky. 2016) Successful jury verdict as lead counsel in trial involving alleged use of excessive force
Ohneums v. Thompson, 594 F. App’x 864 (6th Cir. 2014) Successful appeal affirming dismissed malicious prosecution claim
Durmov v. Duncan, 2014 WL 2548111 (E.D. Ky. June 4, 2014) Successful summary judgment motion dismissing excessive force claim

Defending discrimination and harassment claims based on race, gender, disability, and age before state and federal courts, the EEOC, and human rights commissions. Court decisions include:

Thornberry v. Powell County Detention Center, 2020 WL 5647483 (E.D. Ky. Sept. 22, 2020) Successful motion to dismiss EFMLA claims involving COVID allegations
Davis v. Kentucky Community and Technical College System, 2018 WL 1865166 (April 18, 2018) Successful motion to dismiss ADA and FMLA claims based on sovereign immunity
Bailey v. Kentucky Community, 2016 WL 205504 (W.D. Ky. Jan. 15, 2016) Successful summary judgment motion dismissing Title VII race discrimination and hostile work environment claims
Turner v. City of Paris, 534 F. App’x 299 (6th Cir. 2013) Successful summary judgment motion dismissing ADA claim that was appealed and affirmed
Burnett v. Transit Authority of Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, 981 F.Supp.2d 630 (E.D. Ky. 2013) Successful summary judgment motion dismissing Title VII and other race discrimination claims that was appealed and affirmed

Defending retaliation, whistleblowing, and wrongful termination claims both in court and administratively, including OSHA retaliation. Court decisions include:

Littrell v. Bosse, 581 S.W.3d 584 (Ky. App. 2019) Successful appeal affirming summary judgment dismissing claims for official misconduct, harassment, and interference
Williams v. City of Glasgow, 2018 WL 3794739 (Ky. App. Aug. 10, 2018) Successful appeal affirming summary judgment dismissing Kentucky Civil Rights Act retaliation claim
Pearce v. Whitenack, 440 S.W.3d 392 (Ky. App. 2014) Successful motion to dismiss wrongful termination claim that was appealed and affirmed
Cummins v. City of Augusta, 2013 WL 5436657 (Ky. App. Sept. 27, 2013) Successful motion to dismiss wrongful termination and whistleblowing claims that was appealed and affirmed
Baker v. McDaniel, 2009 WL 2710099 (E.D. Ky. Aug. 24, 2009) Successful summary judgment motion dismissing First Amendment free speech retaliation claim

Representing local governments as well as private individuals, associations, and businesses during investigations, audits, or other legal actions involving state and federal regulatory agencies. Court decisions include:

Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control v. Tapp, 2014 WL 5410325 (Ky. Oct. 23, 2014) Successful appeal upholding the city’s right to contest state licensing process
PNGI Charles Town Gaming, LLC v. Reynolds, 727 S.E.2d 799 (2011) Successful appeal of ejection of permit-holder by racetrack

Advising private and public employers on personnel policies and procedures, including institution-wide FLSA classification audit for local university.

Professional Affiliations

Kentucky Bar Association

KBA Local Government Law Section: Chair (2013-2014); Chair-Elect (2012-2013); Vice Chair (2011-2012)

Federal Bar Association

Kentucky FBA Chapter Treasurer (2019-present)

Fayette County Bar Association

Defense Research Institute: Trial Tactics Committee

International Association of Chiefs of Police

Seminars

Municipal Demolition of Nuisance Properties: A Case Study, presentation for Kentucky League of Cities ACE Code Enforcement Summit (June 2021)

Wage and Hour Compliance: What Employers Need to Know, presentation to County Officials for training by the Kentucky Association of Counties (August 2020)

Federal Employment Law Update, presentation for Kentucky Municipal Clerks Institute (July 2020)

This Isn’t Margaritaville: Handling Alcohol and Drugs at Work, presentation to County and Commonwealth Attorneys for training by the Prosecutorial Advisory Council (December 2018)

Understanding the FLSA, presentations for the Prosecutorial Advisory Council (December 2018, March 2018, and September 2017), and Master Municipal Clerk’s Academy (August 2016)

Family & Medical Leave, presentation to Kentucky State University (August 2018)

Municipal Liability and Immunity, presentation to the Master Municipal Clerk’s Academy (August 2018)

Publications

Former Employees: Common Problems When They Are Witnesses, DRI’s For the Defense (March 2017).

Navigating Kentucky Law on Regulating Firearms in the Workplace, Kentucky Constructor: A Publication of the Association of General Contractors of Kentucky (May 2014).

Balance of Power, Blood-Horse (December 2011).