Photo of John W. Bilby.

John W. Bilby

Member , Louisville KY

502.568.5750

John W. Bilby

Member , Louisville KY

John is a seasoned litigator and a member of Stoll Keenon Ogden’s Business Litigation practice. He also co-chairs the Trust & Estate Litigation practice. John’s career is highlighted by numerous successes in courts, recovering assets, and resolving claims for the benefit of his clients.

In his practice, John litigate business, estate and trust, and fiduciary disputes. He focuses on contract disputes involving technology transfers and fiduciary disputes involving banks, trust companies, and brokerages. He also represents fiduciaries in disputes with trust beneficiaries over the management of trust assets. John’s trial experience includes significant cases involving business disputes over computer software and fiduciary matters.

Education

University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, 1975, J.D.

University of Kentucky, 1972, M.B.A.

University of Kentucky, 1971, B.B.A.

Experience

Admitted In

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

  • 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

  • U.S. Supreme Court

  • Indiana

  • Kentucky

Professional & Community Activities

  • American Bar Association

  • Indiana Bar Association

  • Kentucky Bar Association; Ethics Committee member, 2005

  • Citizens for Better Judges, 1989 – present; Advisory Board member, 2017-present

Accolades

  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

  • Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, 2014, 2017, 2018

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2007 – present

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Securities Litigation, Trusts & Estates Litigation, 2011 – present

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, 2013 – present

  • Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honoree, 2011 – 2020

  • Trust & Estate Attorney of the Year in Kentucky, Global Law Experts, 2015

  • Best in Technology Transfer Disputes in Kentucky, Corporate America Awards, 2015

  • Trust & Estate Attorney of the Year in Kentucky, Corporate Intl Magazine Global Award, 2014, 2015

  • Louisville Magazine Top Lawyer, Business/Commercial Law, 2012-2014; Business Litigation, 2013 and 2014

Work Highlights

  • Estate Litigation

    After a 2 ½ week trial in the Bourbon Circuit Court in 2013, obtained a favorable jury verdict setting aside an estate plan on the basis of undue influence and unsound mind and awarding damages exceeding $550,000 for misappropriation of Trust funds.

  • Abuse of Power of Attorney & Joint Account

    SKO successfully represented a trust company appointed as conservator for an individual diagnosed with dementia who had millions of dollars taken from him by his attorney-in-fact (power of attorney) who also fraudulently created joint survivorship accounts. The individual also generated a will in his favor. SKO successfully voided the will and recovered more than $16 million in assets.

  • Suitability Claims

    SKO successfully represented a bank acting in a fiduciary capacity in pursuing suitability claims against a securities firm. The amount recovered for our client was approximately $10,000,000.

Contact John Today

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