Sturgill Turner Attorney Todd Osterloh Appointed Justice of the Palauan Supreme Court

Sturgill Turner will bid a bittersweet farewell to long‑time Member attorney Todd Osterloh in May 2026, as he departs the firm to accept a prestigious presidential appointment as a Justice in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau. Todd’s swearing‑in ceremony is anticipated to take place in June 2026.

“While we are saddened to lose a colleague of Todd’s caliber, we are incredibly proud of him and honored by this remarkable appointment,” said Bryan Beauman, Managing Partner at Sturgill Turner. “Todd has been an invaluable member of our firm and our energy and utilities team. His integrity, judgment, and leadership will serve the people of Palau well.”

Todd has spent the past 15 years at Sturgill Turner, where he has focused his practice on energy and utilities law. He has been at the forefront of solar energy development in Kentucky, representing more than a dozen energy companies in the construction of utility‑scale solar projects throughout the state. Alongside Jim Gardner and Rebecca Price, Todd has helped establish Sturgill Turner as the go‑to firm in Kentucky for major energy projects. His practice has included representing municipal utilities and more than two dozen cities in a broad range of utilities, land use, and regulatory matters. In recognition of his work, Todd was named the 2021 Best Lawyers “Lexington Lawyer of the Year” in Utilities Law.

Todd brings prior experience with Palauan law and the judiciary to his new role. Early in his career, he served as Court Counsel to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau. After returning to Kentucky to be closer to family, Todd served as a Staff Attorney with the Kentucky Public Service Commission for four years before joining Sturgill Turner in 2011.

Todd was appointed by President Surangel Whipps Jr. of the Republic of Palau and will serve as one of three justices on the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. The Appellate Division is responsible for deciding appeals from all lower courts, including the Trial Division, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Land Court, which adjudicates land ownership disputes. Palauan courts apply a blend of Palauan constitutional law, statutes, case law, customary law, and, where appropriate, United States common law. More information about the Palauan judiciary is available at https://palaucourts.gov.pw/.

“I am deeply honored to have been appointed to this position,” Todd said. “I am grateful to my colleagues and clients at Sturgill Turner for their trust, collaboration, and support over the years. This firm has meant a great deal to me professionally and personally, and I look forward to serving in this new role as my family and I begin an exciting new adventure.”

Sturgill Turner remains committed to ensuring a seamless transition for all clients. Our energy and utility clients will continue to be served by experienced attorneys Jim Gardner, J.E.B. Pinney, Rebecca Price, and Pete Dooley. Jim brings more than 30 years of energy law experience in both private practice and public service, including eight years on the Kentucky Public Service Commission, where he served as Chair and Vice‑Chair. J.E.B. recently joined the firm after more than 25 years at the Kentucky Public Service Commission, where he served in roles from Staff Attorney to Acting General Counsel and, most recently, Executive Advisor. Rebecca brings a decade of legal experience, including as an integral member of Sturgill Turner’s Energy & Utilities practice group. She previously served as a Special Attorney in the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. Pete joined the firm in 2025 after serving as a Staff Attorney in the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet. representing the Cabinet in complex litigation involving §1983 civil rights claims, employment law, and constitutional issues.

The Republic of Palau is a tropical island nation in Micronesia known for its natural beauty and rich cultural traditions. Following World War II, Palau was administered by the United States as part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and became fully independent in 1994. Palau maintains close diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties with the United States through a Compact of Free Association and uses the U.S. dollar as its currency

Todd Osterloh