January 19, 2006 – John “Jack” Ballantine of Stoll Keenon Ogden will be the first recipient of the “Judge Benjamin F. Shobe Civility & Professionalism Award” at the Annual Louisville Bar Association Dinner Thursday evening, January 19 at the Galt House East in downtown Louisville. Approximately 400 statewide judges, attorneys and guests are expected to attend.
“It is quite remarkable for peers and colleagues to recognize the high standard of professionalism and integrity that Jack conducts himself with both in and out of the courtroom,” said Bill Lear, managing member of Stoll Keenon Ogden. “He is such a tremendous asset to our firm and has made numerous contributions over the years, we believe he embodies the very spirit of this award and deserves the honor as the first to receive it.”
Criteria for the new award include a consistently demonstrated adherence to the highest standards of civility, honesty, and courtesy in their dealings with their clients, opposing parties and their counsel, the courts, and the general pubic. The award recipient will have shown sustained excellence through leadership in the legal profession, a sterling character and unquestioned integrity.
Ballantine has been engaged extensively in civil trial practice, almost exclusively for the defense for many of the nearly 50 years of his legal career. He has a wealth of experience defending a broad range of civil actions but focuses specifically on professional liability litigation and medical malpractice defense cases. In addition, he has served as a mediator in many different types of civil actions. Over the years, Jack’s extensively diverse litigation practice has encompassed executive employment disputes, fiduciary duty cases, complex shareholder disputes, and construction contract cases.
Ballantine received his A.B., with High Distinction from the University of Kentucky in 1952 and an L.L.B. from Harvard Law School in 1957. He is a member of the American, Kentucky and Louisville Bar Associations and is a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers. Jack is also a member of the Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc., and a life member of the Judicial Conference of U.S. Court of Appeals.
Ballantine has received multiple accolades throughout his illustrious career. He is listed among the “Best Lawyers in America” within the personal injury litigation section, was recognized as the Kentucky Bar Association Outstanding Lawyer in 2003 and is listed in “Chamber’s USA” as one of America’s leading business lawyers.
About the award
The “Judge Benjamin F. Shobe Civility & Professionalism Award” is a new award presented by the Louisville Bar Association and the Brandeis American Inn of Court to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions to the ideals of civility and professionalism.
The Honorable Benjamin Shobe (Ret.) was the Second African American attorney to serve as an assistant commonwealth attorney. As an attorney, he participated in the lawsuit that ended segregation at the University of Kentucky’s graduate schools and in litigation that resulted in the integration of Louisville’s parks and recreation centers. Shobe became the first African American judge in Jefferson County in 1977 and established a highly respected reputation in the courts for his courtesy and fairness on the bench.