Ashley Brown was recognized as Kentucky’s 2023 Most Prolific Trial Lawyer and as Kentucky Defense Counsel’s 2017 Defense Lawyer of the Year for her exceptional results and countless jury trial defense verdicts. Ashley works in all aspects of civil litigation, from first notice of loss through verdict and appeal. Her practice has an emphasis in defending construction defect and catastrophic injury claims. She routinely partners with insurance carriers and self-insured companies, achieving cost-effective resolutions in tough cases. In addition to her courtroom experience, Ashley routinely presents educational seminars at national defense conferences to lawyers and insurance professionals, and also serves as a trusted mediator across Kentucky.

J.D., University of Kentucky, 2008
B.A., Spanish/Geography Minor, University of Kentucky, 2005

Salyersville, Kentucky

Indiana Supreme Court, 2024
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2014
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, 2009
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, 2009
Kentucky Supreme Court, 2008

Defense Research Institute
DRI Trucking Law Committee
DRI Women in Law
Fayette County Bar Association
Fayette County Bar Association Women’s Lawyers Section
Kentucky Bar Association
Kentucky Defense Counsel
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
Transportation Lawyers Association
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
Trial Law Institute
Diversity Law Institute
Barrister, Order of Juris

Most Prolific Trial Attorney of 2023, Kentucky Trial Court Review
Super Lawyer, 2024
The Best Lawyers in America, 2023
Martindale-Hubbell AV^® Preeminent^™ Rating
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
Defense Lawyer of the Year, Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc, 2017
“Kentucky Rising Star” by Super Lawyers^®, 2016-2023

Group Leader, The Gavel Premises Liability and Dram Shop Group, 2020-present
DRI State Representative for Kentucky, 2021-2024
DRI Membership Committee Chair for Kentucky, 2018-2021
Leadership Lexington Class 2017-2018
Kentucky Defense Counsel Women’s Section Committee, 2016-Present
Kentucky Defense Counsel Membership Committee, 2014-Present
Kentucky Defense Counsel YLS Committee, 2014-2015

Board Member, Compassionate Lexington
Deacon, Crestwood Christian Church
2021 Chair, March of Dimes Signature Chefs Event

Michelle Schmitt v. Secura Insurance (2024): Jury trial on damages only in a UIM case involving alleged spine and traumatic brain injuries treated with various injective therapies. Plaintiff claimed past medical expenses of approximately $90,000, future medical expenses of approximately $675,000, and pain and suffering. The jury awarded $90,000 total, which was within the BI coverage, for a net zero verdict.

Renot v. Secura Insurance (2024): Unanimous defense verdict on causation following retrial of a UIM case after the Kentucky Supreme Court reversed and ordered a new trial. The case was initially tried in 2019, and the Kentucky Supreme Court reversed in part on an expert testimony issue, ordering a new trial. The case was tried over four days, with the Plaintiff claiming a minor collision caused a serious exacerbation to her pre-existing knee arthritis, resulting in multiple surgeries and hundreds of thousands of dollars in past medical expenses. The jury found for the defense on causation and awarded nothing.

C&R Asphalt v. LB Holdings, et al. (2023): Defense verdict in breach of contract action involving construction of an asphalt driveway. The case had been pending since 2008 and had returned from the Court of Appeals, and Ashley Brown was retained as trial counsel for the defense. The jury found that a contract did not exist obligating the defendants to pay for the allegedly faulty driveway.

Ostertag v. George K. Bowling Community Park, Inc., (2023): Summary judgment granted in premises liability suit against public park based on Recreational Use Statute.

Bridenbecker v. CSAA Insurance, (2023): traumatic brain injury case against the plaintiff’s UIM carrier in which fault was stipulated. The plaintiff sought $1,000,000 in pain and suffering. While the defense acknowledged the plaintiff suffered a temporary, mild traumatic brain injury, evidence was presented that the plaintiff had recovered. The jury awarded $45,000, and with an offset of $50,000, the verdict was a net zero result.

Tackett v. Stacy, (2023): Jury trial in which liability was admitted and the case was tried on pain and suffering damages only. The plaintiff sought to recover $6,000,000 for a permanent back injury, and the jury returned an award of $11,000.

Walls v. Whispering Wheels, LLC, (2022): Unanimous defense verdict in a premises liability jury trial involving allegations that a defect in the defendant’s floor, and failure to warn of same, caused the plaintiff to fall and sustain significant injuries and nearly $900,000 in damages.

Bradley v. Louisville Mega Cavern, LLC, (2021): Defense verdict in a wrongful death jury trial in which the estate alleged that negligence on the part of the premises owner caused the decedent’s death. The estate sought $60,000,000 in compensatory and punitive damages.

Barnett v. Peters, (2020): Jury trial in which liability was admitted, and only causation of the alleged injury was at issue. The jury agreed with our client, awarding damages for only initial treatment which was stipulated by the defense.

Risely v. Caudill & Wright, Inc., (2019): Defense verdict on liability in a premises liability jury trial in a case alleging a dangerous condition on the restaurant property caused damages in excess of $1,000,000.

Renot v. SECURA Insurance, (2019): Defense verdict on causation of damages in a jury trial for underinsured motorist benefits in which liability was stipulated.

Draper v. Trace Creek Softball League, Inc., et al., (2019): Published Kentucky Court of Appeals opinion upholding summary judgment for softball league based on Kentucky’s Recreational Use Statute.

Lucas v. Caudill & Wright Enterprises, Inc., (2017):  Defense verdict in premises liability jury trial involving alleged violations of Kentucky Building Code and Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines.

Mudd v. Crossland Properties, et al., (2017):  Defense verdict on liability in premises liability jury trial; partial summary judgment diminishing damages granted prior to trial.

DKCD, Inc. v. T+C Contracting, (2015):  Summary judgment granted for subcontractor in construction defect case in federal court.

Smith v. City of Barbourville, (2014):  Summary judgment granted for City and police department in excessive force case.

Ratliff v. Sears, Roebuck and Co., (2013):  Defense verdict in auto accident jury trial.

Tyler v. Arvin Sango, (2012):  Jury trial resulting in fault split equally between parties and damages significantly diminished due to pre-trial motion practice.

Shetler v. Besam US Inc., (2012):  Summary judgment granted for manufacturer in product liability case in federal court.

Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency v. Alliance Corp., (2011):  Successfully defended appeal of favorable arbitration award in construction defect case.

Burgin v. Bob Swope Ford, (2010):  Defense verdict in premises liability jury trial.

Kremer v. Sears, Roebuck and Co., (2009):  Summary judgment granted for retailer/servicer in product liability case.