Sturgill Turner

Charles D. Cole

Charles D. Cole

 

Charles D. Cole

Member

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 concerned 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 in providing prompt counsel to personnel and other matters that regularly arise with his clients that often require a rapid response under the spotlight of public attention.

Areas of Practice

  • 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.

    U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

    Joel D. Nasleroad v. Dennis Mabry, 763 Fed.Appx. 452 (6th Cir. 2019). Plaintiff suspect alleged violation of rights under § 1983 and state law claims. Affirmed summary judgment for two claims, remanded matter to district court for further proceedings.

    Driggers v. City of Owensboro, Kentucky, 110 Fed.Appx. 499 (6th Cir. 2004). Affirmed summary judgment in matter of female former police officer’s allegations of sex discrimination and retaliation.

    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.

  • Best Lawyers in America®: Municipal Law

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

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

  • Kentucky Bar Association Local Government Law Section, Chair (2018-19)

    Municipal Attorneys Association of Kentucky (MAAK)
    Board Member

    Federal Bar Association

    Fayette County Bar Association

    Fayette County Bar Foundation
    Initial Director and Founding Fellow

  • Taxpayer Revolt, Enhanced Scrutiny of Special Districts, and House Bill 1, Bench and Bar (March 2014)

  • Judicial Update, Municipal Attorneys Association of Kentucky (MAAK) Annual Municipal Law Seminar (2013-2026)

    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.

  • University of Kentucky, J.D.

    University of Louisville, M.B.A.

    University of Kentucky, B.A.

  • Charley was born and raised in Harlan County and he has lived in both Louisville and Lexington, while working with various cities and counties across Kentucky. He still retains ties to Harlan County through his work as President of the Robert E. Frazier Tri-City Area Charitable Foundation, which provides grants totaling more than $300,000 per year for the benefit for the residents of Harlan County communities of Cumberland, Benham and Lynch.

 

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