Member

Frederick R. Bentley (Reggie)

502-681-0339

Reggie Bentley is a Member in the firm’s Business Litigation Service Group in Louisville. He practices complex business and commercial litigation, class action litigation, real estate litigation, and appellate advocacy.

After obtaining his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Notre Dame, Reggie returned home to Louisville to begin his legal career at Stites & Harbison. He now represents clients in high-stakes matters in state and federal courts in Kentucky and elsewhere. He has counseled a wide range of clients in litigation, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, manufacturers, insurers, individuals in consumer advocacy matters, and many others.

Reggie also advises tech entrepreneurs with a growing practice advising businesses in the cryptocurrency industry, including litigation involving Bitcoin mining operators.

Recent Assignments

Obtained $1.4 million verdict in a jury trial in circuit court in Jefferson County, Kentucky, in a real estate dispute involving claims of fraud and civil conspiracy.

Appointed to serve as assistance counsel to a pro se inmate pursuing civil rights claims in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Reggie aided the plaintiff with pre-trial procedures and evidentiary issues during trial, and argued directed verdict motions at the close of the plaintiff’s case.

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).

Successfully represented company and its officers against shareholder claims for indemnity relating to unpaid withholding taxes. Obtained favorable ruling in trial court relating to unsettled issue of law regarding accrual of indemnity claims under Kentucky law. Judgment was affirmed in a published opinion by the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Noronha v. Zolkiewicz, 583 S.W.3d 42 (Ky. App. 2018).

Represented Fortune 500 company in obtaining full defense verdict at products liability trial in Kentucky Circuit Court.

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

Education

J.D.,

2015

cum laude

University of Notre Dame Law School

Org / Honor

Dean’s List; Student Bar Association Admissions Committee

Student Bar Association Admissions Committee

American Association of Justice Student Trial Advocacy Moot Court Competition

Tournament of Champions Moot Court Trial Competition

AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition National Finalist Team

Arthur A. May Award (2015)

B.A., Liberal Studies,

2012

University of Notre Dame

Org / Honor

Senior Thesis: “Epistemology and Aesthetics: Kant, Hume, and the Romantics”

Dean’s List

Fencing Team, Captain; NCAA National Champion Fencing Team, member (2011); Two-Time Second-Team All-American Men’s Foilist; Two-Time Fifth Place Individual Finish in NCAA National Championships; CoSIDA Capital One First-Team Academic All-American (2011)

John Crikelair Award (2011)

Rockne Scholar Athlete (2012)

Walter M. Langford Memorial Award (2012)

Accolades

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones To Watch, Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation (2021-25)