Jonathan M. Gifford

MEMBER

859.255.8581

Jonny practices in the firm’s Government and Municipal Law group, representing state, county, and municipal entities in complex litigation and advising public clients on employment, personnel, and regulatory matters. His practice centers on civil rights and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 litigation, with substantial experience in federal court, as well as employment matters involving Title VII, the ADA, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. He regularly represents public entities in high‑exposure disputes, conducts internal investigations, and provides strategic guidance on policies, discipline, and risk management. Jonny also maintains a secondary practice in estate and trust planning, administration, and probate, offering practical, solutions‑focused counsel to individual clients.

Before joining the firm, Jonny served as a staff attorney with the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, representing the Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, and other state agencies in litigation, administrative proceedings, and legislative matters. He has tried cases in administrative forums, Kentucky state courts, and federal district courts, and has briefed appeals before the Kentucky Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Earlier in his career, he practiced real estate law and later founded his own firm, gaining broad experience in corporate, contract, and estate matters.

Jonny is admitted to practice in Kentucky, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Areas of Practice

• Government & Municipal Law

• Employment Law

• Wills, Trusts and Estates

• Startup Legal Support