Charley Cole: Practice Makes Perfect for Public Entity Clients

As president of Harlan County’s Tri-City Area Charitable Foundation, Inc., Charley Cole leads an organization that has funded more than $2.3 million in grants to qualified non-profits and governmental entities in the communities of Cumberland, Benham and Lynch since its creation in 2012.

If you were watching the Academy Awards in 1992, you can’t help but remember Jack Palance doing one-arm pushups on the stage when he won his Oscar. Here at Sturgill Turner, we have our own award-winning government and municipal law attorney, who also happens to have done one-armed pushups for a crowd – only his were in federal court, defending a police officer’s actions while arresting a suspect.

Charley is a passionate advocate for cities, with a focus on helping cities prosper and protecting them from risk. He enjoys working with mayors and city officials, and it’s clear that they like working with him, too, because he genuinely cares about them and the success of their communities.

“Working with cities and government entities is interesting, because so many unique situations can happen in communities across Kentucky. I enjoy getting to know public servants and their different personalities; it helps to recognize how to best evaluate and assist them on their cases.” — Charley Cole

He didn’t plan to be a lawyer when he was growing up in Harlan, Ky., the son of a well-known regional banker. Charley studied finance, began his career at Liberty National Bank, and earned his MBA at the University of Louisville. He started law school at the University of Kentucky intending to become a trusts and estates lawyer. But his inner showman came out during Moot Court, where he scored the highest oral argument in the competition and knew he wanted to become a litigator.

His entrepreneurial background led him to private practice, and after a few years working in healthcare law, he joined Sturgill Turner, where he rejoined his law school Moot Court partner, Bryan Beauman. He soon had his biggest moment in court, during a two week trial representing several employees who had been fired for speaking up about a hostile work environment. It might have been his first high profile trial as lead attorney, but his closing argument was included in Trial Law, Inc.’s annual list of “Kentucky’s Million Dollar Opening Statements” based upon the positive jury verdict.

He soon started doing police officer defense and Section 1983 civil rights cases, which led to more and more work with cities and government entities. “It’s interesting work, because so many unique situations can happen in communities across Kentucky. I enjoy getting to know public servants and their different personalities; it helps to recognize how to best evaluate and assist them on their cases.

“I also have a knack for remembering details about people and cases, which creates closer relationships and helps me help them. For me, the practice of law isn’t something you can just put away when you’re not in the office, and I’ll often come up with ideas in the middle of the night or while I’m walking to work.”

Charley also believes in giving back to these communities, as well as the place he grew up. As President of the Robert E. Frazier Tri-City Area Charitable Foundation, Inc., he leads an organization that has funded more than $2.3 million in grants to qualified non-profits and governmental entities in the Harlan County communities of Cumberland, Benham and Lynch since its creation in 2012. On December 10, the Foundation gave out their second round of grants for 2020, totaling more than $330,000 for the year.

None of this would surprise many who know Charley Cole for his achievements in the courtroom, as well as his skills on the volleyball court and in karaoke competition. Being prepared to handle every detail of his cases, whether in the courtroom or at city hall, ensures his clients that they will receive the best representation possible. “I enjoy gathering the facts and working with witnesses, but I really love oral arguments in front of the judges. It’s a chance to shine – to take all the work and preparation you’ve done and really put it to work for your clients.”

Questions about government, community, or municipal law? Charley is a U.S. News – Best Lawyers honoree in Municipal Law, and a Kentucky SuperLawyer in general litigation; state, local & municipal, and civil rights law. He has extensive experience in this area, and is happy to help. Contact him at 859.255.8581 or ccole@sturgillturner.com.