Chadwick A. McTighe
Chad McTighe is a Member in the Louisville office and served as Chair of the Business Litigation Service Group before being elected to the firm’s Management Committee. He is also Co-Chair of the firm’s Class Action Team. Chad regularly advises and represents clients in a wide range of business and commercial litigation matters, including extensive practice in class action litigation, shareholder and membership disputes, real estate litigation, data breaches, and fiduciary duty litigation. He represents clients in various industries, including oil and gas, telecommunications, insurance, financial institutions, health care, and many others. He has practiced in a number of state and federal courts and has successfully argued multiple issues of first impression resulting in published appellate decisions. He is proud to have earned the respect and confidence of his clients and his peers, as reflected in his AV-Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, his rating by Super Lawyers, his listing in Best Lawyers in America®, his recognition in Benchmark Litigation’s Under 40 Hot List 2016, and his Global Award as Class Action Adviser of the Year – USA in 2014.
Tortious Interference: Kentucky
Practical Law State Q&A, Thomas Reuters, August 2024
The Cost of Third-Party Data Breaches: How to Avoid a Financial Disaster
co-speaker, The Knowledge Group Webinar, June 14, 2024
6th Circ. Drops Bettors' Appeal Over Doped Derby Horse
By Jonathan Capriel, Law360.com, May 3, 2024
Churchill Downs' powerful lawyers make it an unsinkable ship. Baffert and Zedan know best.
by Bob Heleringer, Courier Journal, April 30, 2024
US Chamber Urges 6th Circ. To Ax FirstEnergy Class Cert.
By Katryna Perera, Law360.com, February 20, 2024
Federal Court: Start to Finish
speaker, National Business Institute (NBI) Seminars, January 18, 2024
Ethical Considerations
Using LLCs to Protect Assets: Protect Clients' Assets From an LLC's Creditors and Legal Liabilities, National Business Institute Seminars (NBI), October 20, 2023
LLC Veil Piercing and the Alter Ego Theory
Using LLCs to Protect Assets: Protect Clients' Assets From an LLC's Creditors and Legal Liabilities, National Business Institute Seminars (NBI), October 20, 2023
Gov. Beshear Makes Appoinments to Kentucky Boards and Commissions
Kentucky.gov, May 12, 2023
Suspended Horse Trainer Gets Ky. Derby Bettors' Suit Tossed
by David Steele, Law 360.com, July 21, 2023
Horse Trainer Baffert Loses Fight With Kentucky Derby Track
By Elaine Briseño, Law360.com, May 26, 2023
Class Action Litigation for In-House Counsel: Current Trends, Updates and Best Practices
In-House Connect Essential Series, November 9, 2022
Class Action Litigation: Demystifying Trends, Developments, and Best Defense Strategies
panel member, The Knowledge Group, February 9, 2022
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Kentucky
Practical Law, Thomson Reuters, November 2021
Consumer Class Action Litigation: Tips & Strategies for Your Firm in 2020 and Beyond
Panelist, The Knowledge Group, September 15, 2020
Data Breach Class Action Litigation on the Rise: Winning Strategies
WEBINAR, The Knowledge Group, 07/31/20
Class Action Litigation in 2019: Trends and Updates to Watch for
Webinar, The Knowledge Group, August 20, 2019
Open Courts: Section 14 of the Kentucky Constitution and Its Impact on Tort Reform and Other Litigation-Altering Legislation
Bench & Bar, Kentucky Bar Association, July/August 2019
Brace Up for More Hot Buttons! Recent Developments in Class Action Litigation
2016 Fall Right-of-Way Workshop & Symposium
How to Comply Under State Law and Creating Practical Operating Procedures
Employee Data Protection: FTC's Reasonable Data Security Guideposts for Employers in 2015
Chapter 6: Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaims
Hearsay Rules Under the Federal Rules of Evidence
Pleadings and Evidentiary Issues in Federal Court
Thorough Discovery
Ethical Considerations with Frivolous Lawsuits
Corporate Governance
Appointed as Special Justice to the Kentucky Supreme Court in the case of Megronigle v. Allstate Property & Casualty Insurance Company, 671 S.W.3d 293 (Ky. 2023).
Co-counsel for Churchill Downs Incorporated in defeating a motion for preliminary injunction and obtaining dismissal of all claims in litigation brought by Bob Baffert.
Lead trial counsel for the defendant in a trial involving Kentucky Consumer Protection Act and other claims, obtaining a verdict of 1.5% of what the plaintiff sought (including zero for punitive damages) in a case in which damages were the primary issue in dispute.
Appellate counsel in an interlocutory appeal successfully reversing class certification in a case involving alleged property contamination. AT&T Corp. v. Feltner, 2021 WL 2753980 (Ky. Ct. App. July 2, 2021).
Appellate counsel in an appeal successfully reversing a $1.2 million judgment and obtaining a published decision setting forth the standards in Kentucky for challenging the results of a contractual appraisal process. Kenneth D. Parrish, DMD, Ph.D., P.S.C. v. Schroering, 636 S.W.3d 133 (Ky. Ct. App. 2021).
Obtained summary judgment for a pharmacy services provider, recovering 100% of the amount sought (approximately $1.2 million), for breach of contract. Comprehensive Pharmacy Services, LLC v. Highlands Hospital Corp., 2021 WL 1169897 (E.D. Ky. Mar. 26, 2021)
Obtained summary judgment for a healthcare provider in Jefferson Circuit Court in a putative class action asserting claims for negligence, negligence per se, and invasion of privacy stemming from an alleged data breach disclosing patient information. Judgment was obtained prior to any class being certified.
Obtained summary judgment for multiple defendants in a putative class action alleging a host of claims, including alleged RICO violations and fraud, relating to the enforcement of tax liens. Judgment was unanimously affirmed on appeal by the Sixth Circuit. Brown v. Tax Ease Lien Servicing, Inc., 776 Fed. App’x. 291 (6th Cir. 2019).
Obtained summary judgment, unanimously affirmed on appeal, in a putative class action alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and other claims against attorneys in connection with their representation of plaintiffs in prior putative class actions. Doe v. Golden & Waters, PLLC, 2019 WL 489111 (Ky. Ct. App. Feb. 8, 2019).
Successfully defended captive insurance manager and related parties in arbitration proceedings involving alleged fraud and other misconduct, obtaining award rejecting every claim asserted following a six-day hearing.
Successfully argued multiple appeals concerning fiduciary duty and diversion of business opportunities for limited liability companies, including the proper measure of relief, matters of first impression in Kentucky. Patmon v. Hobbs, 495 S.W.3d 722 (Ky. Ct. App. 2016) and Patmon v. Hobbs, 280 S.W.3d 589 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).
Successfully argued matter of first impression regarding the proper application of Kentucky condominium law to a riverfront marina. Steenrod v. Louisville Yacht Club Association, Inc., 417 S.W.3d 234 (Ky. Ct. App. 2013).
Obtained summary judgment for defendant in putative class action asserting multiple claims arising from alleged data breach.
Successfully tried commercial lease dispute resulting in judgment in favor of client in all respects, which was affirmed on appeal. Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Ctr., LLC v. Louisville Galleria, LLC, 507 Fed. Appx. 473 (6th Cir. 2012).
Obtained summary judgment on various statutory and constitutional claims challenging regulation of airport ground transportation. Executive Transp. Sys., LLC v. Louisville Reg’l Airport Auth., 678 F. Supp. 2d 498 (W.D. Ky. 2010).
Defeated Plaintiffs’ effort to certify a class of current and former employees in litigation involving alleged violations of Kentucky wage and hour laws and obtained decertification of collective action involving parallel claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Oetinger v. First Residential Mortgage Network, Inc., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 61877 (W.D. Ky. July 16, 2009).
Defense of numerous class actions involving a variety of claims relating to insurance and annuities.
Management Committee (2024-26)
Class Action Practice Team, Co-Chair (2024-present)
Louisville Office Recruiting Committee, Former Member
Business Litigation Service Group, Former Chair
Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, Board of Directors
American Cancer Society Relay for Life
cum laude
University of Notre Dame Law School
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Dean's Fellowship
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Law Review, Article Editor
cum laude
University of Notre Dame
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University of Notre Dame Scholar
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Dean's List
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Resident Assistant, 2000-2001
Chad participated in the summer associate program at the firm while in law school. Chad is a member of the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation. He has also served as a volunteer attorney representing victims of domestic violence and is a regular participant in numerous other volunteer and community activities, including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (2023-25)
Benchmark Litigation, Future Star (2018-25)
Chambers USA, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," General Commercial (2023)
Benchmark Litigation, Under 40 Hot List (2016)
Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2015-24)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2013-14)
Professional Sector Network Global Awards, Class Action Adviser of the Year–USA (2014)
. . . . excellent lawyer . . .
. . .impressively balances strong advocacy for his client while also maintaining unflagging civility and politeness towards his opponent.
Benchmark Litigation 2025 Honors 14 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
The 2025 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 11 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky. The guide honors the firms and attorneys who have demonstrated the ability to consistently handle complex, high-stakes cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications
Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 97 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication. Additionally, 12 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 30 attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Chambers USA Honors 25 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 25 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2024 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States.
The Cost of Third- Party Data Breaches: How to Avoid a Financial Disaster
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Webinar
Chad McTighe and Sarah Spurlock will be the speakers for The Knowledge Group's Webinar on June 14, 2024 discussing the costs associated with unforeseen security risks.
Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers® recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 35 attorneys to the Super Lawyers® list and 14 attorneys to the Rising Stars® list.
Benchmark Litigation 2024 Honors 14 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 11 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky.
Using LLCs to Protect Assets
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Live Video Webinar
Chad McTighe will be the speaker at this live video webinar discussing using LLC's to protect assets.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.