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Craig C. Dilger

Member, Louisville

502.560.4274

Craig is a Member in Stoll Keenon Ogden’s Louisville office and has been with the firm since 2001. He serves as Chair of the Sports and Criminal Law practices, Co-Chair of the Health Care practice and also focuses on complex commercial litigation. Having served as lead Trial Counsel on more than 60 Jury Trials and dozens of Bench Trials and Administrative Proceedings, Craig brings unique and critical experience to the representation of his clients.

Among the highlights of Craig’s distinguished career is his successful defense at trial of a Division I college football coach and athletic association against a student alleging improprieties in the granting of football scholarships. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the university and awarded no damages. In the public realm, Craig serves as Chairman of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Prior to joining SKO, Craig worked as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and was the lead Prosecutor in a number of high-profile cases, including a workplace violence trial that ended in convictions on two counts of intentional murder. Craig also served as one of two Prosecutors imbedded with the Gang Violence Task Force.

Sports Law: Craig provides counsel to several of the nation’s leading collegiate athletic programs. He is a trusted advisor on matters spanning from employment and labor to NCAA compliance.
Criminal Law: As a former prosecutor, Craig brings a range of skill and experience to this practice. He has worked with business professionals charged with white-collar crimes like tax evasion, insider trading, fraud and embezzlement.

Business Litigation: For businesses and individual professionals faced with disputes, Craig draws upon his considerable expertise to achieve a satisfactory resolution, either in the courtroom or at the negotiating table.

Business Torts: Craig represents clients in defending and prosecuting torts such as abuse of power, bad faith and misappropriation of trade secrets. He provides thoughtful counsel at every phase of litigation, including pre-hearing processes.

Environmental Litigation: In matters involving air, water and waste, Craig consults with businesses on compliance with laws and regulations, and he negotiates with state and federal agencies regarding agreed-upon orders and corrective measures.

Health Care: Craig stays abreast of the industry landscape to offer assistance to healthcare companies, physician groups, assisted-living facilities, hospitals, physical therapy companies and other service providers on civil, criminal, internal security and administrative concerns.

Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits: Leveraging his depth of knowledge in this evolving area, Craig helps employers solve problems through proactive counseling, employee training and, where possible, cost-effective litigation.

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Practices

Antitrust, Trade Regulation & Franchise

Business Litigation

Business Torts

Criminal Law

Environmental Litigation

Healthcare

Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits

Sports Law

Education

Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law
1994, J.D.

Bellarmine University
1991, B.A.

Admissions

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana

U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky

United States Supreme Court

Kentucky

Recognition

AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
Best Lawyers®, Commercial Litigation, Litigation — Environmental, and Litigation — Labor and Employment, 2012-present
Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honoree, 2012-2023

Louisville Magazine Top Lawyer, Criminal Defense Law - White Collar, 2012-2014
Louisville Magazine Best Lawyers Under Age 40 - Pick of the Judges, 2006
Business First "Forty Under 40" Recipient, 2003
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Badge Awarded for Outstanding Service in the Prosecution of Crimes Against Citizens of the Commonwealth, 2001
Jefferson County Police Service to Law Enforcement Award, 2001
Louisville Division of Police Special Service and Dedication Award, 2001
Louisville Division of Fire Special Recognition Award, 1999
Kentucky Commonwealth's Attorneys Association Outstanding Service Award, 1997
International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators Distinguished Service to Law Enforcement Award, 1997
Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney Excellence Award, 1995

Affiliations

American Bar Association
Kentucky Bar Association
Louisville Bar Association

National Association of College and University Attorneys
Bingham Fellow, 2012
Bellarmine University, Rubel School of Business, Board of Advisors
Bellarmine University Board of Overseers, Executive Committee
Saint Joseph’s Orphanage Group, Board Member
Leadership Louisville, Graduate, 2009
Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Vice-Chair 2005-2007, Chairman 2007-2020
Holy Spirit Parish Council, Immediate Past President
Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, Selection Committee
Operation Sober Program, Speaker and Facilitator
Bellarmine University Mock Trial Program, Judge and Team Trial Consultant
St. Xavier High School Mock Trial Team, Coach
Jefferson County Republican Party Executive Committee, Past Chairman Legal Advisory Committee
Jefferson County Teen Court, Prosecutorial Coordinator and Director of Training

Work Highlights

Lead Trial Counsel Defending Top 10 NCAA Division One Football Coach and the University’s Athletic Association

The Coach and Athletic Association were sued by a former student-athlete who alleged improprieties in the granting of football scholarships. A decision against the Athletic Association and the Coach would have affected recruiting of college athletes at every level. Trial in this matter lasted two weeks with well-known experts from various college football programs testifying for each side. The jury returned a unanimous defense verdict on all counts and awarded no damages.

Ending a Derivative Action by a Merger and Dissenter Rights

When a small minority of the shareholders prevailed in derivative action, SKO was brought in to advise the majority owners. A merger transaction both ended the derivative action by depriving the minority of standing and provided a means of redeeming their shares so similar suits may not be brought in the future. The minority shareholders initiated a dissenter rights action, which was resolved on a valuation favorable to our client.

Motor Vehicle Accident: Alleged Negligent Maintenance of Street Light

Obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict on behalf of a public utility. The plaintiff claimed that the utility failed to properly maintain a street light, which caused a motor vehicle accident. This is the first and only case of its kind to be tried to a jury in Kentucky, subsequent to decision by Kentucky Supreme Court allowing such causes of action.

View All Work Highlights

News Publications Seminars

34 SKO Attorneys Receive 2023 Kentucky “Super Lawyers®” Recognition, Jan. 3, 2023

118 SKO Attorneys Named to “2023 U.S. News Best Lawyers® in America”, Aug. 18, 2022

SKO Attorneys Selected to 2022 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Jan. 6, 2022

77 STOLL KEENON OGDEN ATTORNEYS HONORED IN “BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA” 2022 Edition, Aug. 19, 2021

KENTUCKY SUPER LAWYERS RECOGNIZES 39 STOLL KEENON OGDEN ATTORNEYS, Dec. 11, 2020

73 Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC attorneys are recognized in the 2021 edition of the Best Lawyers in America®, one of the most respected legal peer-review guides in the world., Aug. 20, 2020

COVID-19’s Impact on Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Kentucky and Indiana, Apr. 17, 2020

One Of My Employees Has Tested Positive For COVID-19. What Now?, Apr. 16, 2020

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 47 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 27, 2019

SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2020 Best Lawyers in America®, Aug. 15, 2019

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 52 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Dec. 11, 2018

SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2019 Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 15, 2018

SKO’s Dilger Re-elected Chairman of KREF Board, Sep. 29, 2017

SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 16, 2017

Five SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 18, 2016

Best Lawyers in America Chooses 61 SKO Attorneys for 2017 Publication, Aug. 30, 2016

30 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 2, 2016

Lea Pauley Goff and Richard G. Griffith named among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 30, 2015

SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2016, Aug. 17, 2015

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 57 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 24, 2014

Craig Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Sep. 22, 2014

SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2015, Aug. 18, 2014

Kentucky Registry of Election Finance Launches Redesigned Website, July 28, 2014

33 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 25, 2014

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 42 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 26, 2013

SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2014, Aug. 19, 2013

34 SKO Attorneys Names “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 5, 2013

Craig Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Dec. 3, 2012

61 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2013, Sep. 7, 2012

Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 31 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, July 20, 2012

53 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2012, Sep. 6, 2011

SKO Named Kentucky Antitrust Firm of the Year, Jan. 31, 2011

Craig C. Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Nov. 22, 2010

Craig Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Oct. 15, 2009

Craig Dilger Elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Dec. 15, 2007

The FTC Proposes A Nationwide Ban of Non-Compete Agreements for Workers, Jan. 30, 2023

U.S. Supreme Court Rules Title VII Prohibits Discrimination Against LGBT Employees, June 17, 2020

Re-opening Kentucky and Indiana’s Economies: A Summary, Apr. 29, 2020

New Department of Labor FAQs Provide More Clarity on Upcoming Paid Leave Requirements, Apr. 1, 2020

Kentucky and Indiana Unemployment Insurance Information and Resource, Mar. 26, 2020

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Signed Into Law, Mar. 19, 2020

Sixth Circuit Holds: Contract Provision Shortening Title VII Statutory Limitations Period is Unenforceable, Nov. 6, 2019

Misclassification of Workers as Independent Contractors Not a Violation of Federal Labor Law, Sep. 16, 2019

Employees May Take FMLA Leave For Medical Parent/Teacher Conferences, Sep. 11, 2019

NLRB Overrules Precedent: Property Owners May Exclude Off-Duty Contractor Employees From Premises, Sep. 4, 2019

Federal Appeals Court Finds the EEOC’s Criminal Background Check Guidance Unenforceable, Aug. 12, 2019

Kentucky Court of Appeals: Non-Lawyers May No Longer Represent Employers During Unemployment Proceedings, May 1, 2019

Kentucky Clarifies Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Apr. 17, 2019

Senate Bill 7 Restores Kentucky’s Approval of Employment Arbitration Agreements, Mar. 15, 2019

Kentucky Employers Can’t Enforce Arbitration Agreements Required for Employment, Oct. 18, 2018

New NLRB rulemaking may change the joint-employer standard, Oct. 4, 2018

In Landmark Decision, U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Union Fees, July 19, 2018

Five Reasons to Contact Your Labor and Employment Lawyer Now, Jan. 11, 2018

The Loan Zone: Curing Late Payments on Loans From Qualified Employer Retirement Plans, Nov. 29, 2017

Preparing for What May Come Next Continuing Legal Education Seminar, "SKO U" CLE, Presenter, 2020

Preparing for and Testifying In a Suppression Hearing, Law Enforcement Trial Training Program, instructor, 1999-2000

Officer's Pre-trial Preparation - Finishing the Investigation, Law Enforcement Trial Training and Case Preparation Course, instructor, 1998-1999