Sturgill Turner

Katherine M. Coleman

Katherine M. Coleman

 

Katherine M. Coleman

OF COUNSEL | CERTIFIED MEDIATOR

859.255.8581

An experienced education and employment attorney, Kacey’s practice focuses on public and private employers facing a multitude of allegations, including retaliation, harassment and discrimination. She regularly conducts Title IX and other investigations for both higher education institutions and P-12 districts. An NACM-certified mediator, Kacey applies the wealth of litigation and investigation experience she’s acquired over the course of her legal career to help settle disputes in Lexington and statewide. She mediates in numerous areas of the law, including but not limited to employment, education, business, personal injury, and professional liability.

Kacey counsels employers in all aspects of the employment relationship—from hiring and firing practices, to drafting employee contracts and personnel policies, to regulatory compliance. She also serves as a special investigator of employee misconduct when circumstances require the investigation be handled by an independent investigator.

Her knowledge of issues that affect higher education institutions, such as faculty tenure, hiring and dismissal, student discipline, and Title IX compliance, stems from her extensive work as counsel to colleges and universities, including her tenure as general counsel for Eastern Kentucky University. Kacey is proficient on Title IX matters and regularly conducts Title IX/Campus SaVE Act training for public and private universities. She has completed advanced training in Title IX investigations from ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators).

Areas of Practice

  • Successful defense of state institutions of higher education on claims related to tenure denial, Free Speech violations, and discrimination in employment and education.

    Successful defense of state institutions of higher education and other state agencies in whistleblower actions.

    Successful defense of public and private employers on claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, contract, and defamation.

    High success rate of dismissal prior to trial.

    Completed Advanced Title IX Investigation Training, Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA).

    Instructor, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Eastern Kentucky University.

    Instructor, Human Resources Certification and First Line Supervision Programs, Eastern Kentucky University.

    Regularly conducts Title IX/Campus SaVE Act training for public and private institutions.

    Regularly conducts discrimination and harassment training for public and private employers.

    Eastern Kentucky University, General Counsel (1998-2003)

  • Best Lawyers in America®: Employment Law - Management

    ATIXA Certified in Title IX Investigation

  • National Association of College and University Attorneys, Employment Law Section

    National Association of Certified Mediators

    ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators)

    Employment Law Alliance, Higher Education Council

    Kentucky Bar Association

    American Bar Association

    Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys

  • Authored “ERISA” Kentucky Employment Law Handbook (June 1992).

    Terror Takes to the Skies; The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Adelphia Law Journal (Spring 1992).

    Prehearing Discovery in Arbitration: An Advance or a Retreat?, Adelphia Law Journal (Fall 1991).

  • Human Resources Legislative and Litigation Update, Kentucky College and University Professionals Association-Human Resources (annual)

    Current Issues Under Title IX, CLE-University of Kentucky Biennial Education Law Conference

    How to Conduct Effective Investigations, CLE-University of Kentucky Biennial Education Law Conference

    Legal Issues to Consider in the Promotion and Tenure Process, training for multiple colleges and universities

    #NotHere: Sexual Harassment Prevention, The Clean Show (National conference for the laundering, dry cleaning and textile services industry)

    The ICE Man Cometh: Conducting an I-9 Audit, Kentucky Chapter, Association of Legal Administrators, and Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (KYSHRM) Annual Conference

    Socially Acceptable: Social Media in the Public Workplace, Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference

    Legal/Legislative Higher Ed Update, Kentucky/Tennessee CUPA-HR Conference

    You Don’t Have to Go Home but You Can’t Stay Here, presentation for the University of Kentucky on the Americans with Disabilities Act

    Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) & Immigrant Status (H1-B), Kentucky Community and Technical College System Human Resources Conference

  • University of Kentucky, J.D.

    University of Kentucky, B.B.A.