Kenneth J. Gish Jr.
Ken is a member of the Environmental, Energy & Sustainability Service Group and Business & Finance Service Group where he assists corporate and institutional clients in meeting sustainability goals through renewable energy purchases. Ken also advises clients in the energy industry, routinely representing the firm’s utility clients in matters before the Kentucky Public Service Commission, as well as assisting renewable energy developers in all aspects of project development including negotiating offtake agreements, permitting and financing transactions. He counsels the firm’s clients in all stages of the permitting process from application to appeals before administrative bodies and in state and federal court. Ken also assists clients in managing regulatory compliance matters arising from federal, state and local laws.
ABC's of Sustainability
Kentucky Environmental Conference 2024, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Lexington, Ky., March 26-27, 2024
Stites & Harbison welcomes back Ken Gish to the Lexington office
by staff writer, The Lane Report, November 16, 2023
ESG in the Real World
NSSGA: Legislative and Policy Forum - 2023, September 25, 2023
Tips and Tricks for Navigating the Energy Transition
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, February 23, 2022
Navigating Potential Changes in Carbon Reporting Standards
co-author, Law360, January 17, 2023
State Policies in Support of Offshore Wind - Do They Matter?
AWEA Windpower Conference, May 20-23, 2019
Citizen Suit Enforcement - Filling the Gap
The Changing Face of Kentucky's Energy Future
Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agricultural & Natural Resources Law Second Annual Symposium: "ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT: The Interplay of Regulations and Natural Resources Law and Policy," University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Ky., March 2, 2016 (link to paper)
Managing the Risks of Climate Change
14th Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Lexington, Ky., February 10, 2016
Update on Environmental Liability in Real Estate Transactions: Watch-Outs and Best Practices for the General Practice Lawyer
2015 Kentucky Law Update, Kentucky Bar Association, Lexington, Ky., December 4, 2015 (link to paper)
Recent Clean Air Act Supreme Court Decisions
2015 Kentucky Environmental Law CLE Seminar, Kentucky Bar Association Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section, Frankfort, Ky., April 22, 2015 (link to paper)
Kentucky's New Brownfield Law: A New Approach for Property Acquisition and Redevelopment
Stites & Harbison, PLLC, Thirsty Thursday event, May 22, 2014
Environmental Compliance for the Distilling Industry
Stormwater Regulation, It's Time to Get Serious
2013 Kentucky Chamber of Commerce 16th Annual Environmental Permitting & Reporting Conference, August 21, 2013
Understanding Riparian and Water Rights
Kentucky Land Laws Seminar, Lexington, Ky., August 15, 2013 (link to paper)
Endangered Species Act in Kentucky
Kentucky Bar Association Environment, Energy and Resources Law 2013 Kentucky Environmental Law CLE Seminar, April 23, 2013 (link to paper)
Dangerous Intersections: Understanding and Navigating the Crossroads of Construction and the Environment
R&D Today & Tomorrow, and Making it Happen
Emerging Issues in Oil and Gas Production
Environmental Protection Regulatory Update
Understanding Kentucky's Surface Water Rights
Represented corporate purchases, across multiple industries, in negotiating virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) from renewable energy sources totaling over 1.25 GW of output including representations of:
- A multinational imaging technology company in a 124 MW VPPA from a solar energy facility.
- An auto parts manufacturer in the negotiation of a 142.8 MW VPPA from a solar energy facility.
- A frozen food manufacturer in a 102 MW VPPA from a solar energy facility.
- A farm equipment manufacturer in multiple VPPAs totaling 111 MW from a wind energy facility.
- A global chemical and consumer goods company in a 88 MW VPPA from a wind energy facility.
- A pharmaceuticals and consumer goods company in a 55 MW VPPA from a solar energy facility.
- An international athletic clothing manufacturer in a 15 MW VPPA from a wind energy facility.
Represented an investor owned utility in proceedings before the Kentucky Public Service Commission including in general rate cases, integrated resource plan proceedings, fuel adjustment clause reviews, and certificate of public convenience and necessity approvals.
Represented solar developers in development of utility scale projects in Kentucky including in matters before the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting.
Lexington Office Recruiting Committee, Member
LexArts, Inc., Director (2019-present)
Leadership Lexington, Class of 2012; Distinguished Leader Award (2012); Steering Committee (2014-20); Steering Committee Chair (2018-19)
cum laude
University of Michigan Law School
Government (American Government Concentration)
Georgetown University
Ken previously practiced in the Charlotte and Seattle offices of K&L Gates, LLP. Prior to entering law school, Ken served as a watch and division officer on USS San Juan (SSN-751), a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine.
Ken is a graduate of the 2012 Leadership Lexington Class and was selected by his classmates for the 2012 Distinguished Leader Award. He served on the Leadership Lexington Steering Committee (2014-20) and was the committee chair (2018-19). Ken currently serves as a Director for LexArts, Inc.
Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation-Environmental (2018-25)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars (2013)
Washington Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars (2010)
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.
22nd Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Lexington/UK Coldstream, 1801 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40511
Jennifer Cave and Ken Gish will be speakers at this year's Kentucky Chamber of Commerce 22nd Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference to be held March 26-27 in Lexington, Ky.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Back Ken Gish to the Lexington Office
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes back attorney Ken Gish to the firm’s Lexington, Ky., office. He rejoins the firm as a Member (Partner) in the Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Service Group and the Business & Finance Service Group.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Opens the Door for Energy Storage Development
Best Lawyers in America honors 79 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2018
20th Annual Kentucky Environmental Permitting and Reporting Conference
2017 Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention
Don't Step In it