Member

Michael Denbow

502-681-0394

Michael Denbow is a member (partner) in the Louisville office, Chair of Stites & Harbison’s White Collar Practice Group and Co-Chair of the Business Litigation Service Group. Michael focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense and other government and regulatory matters. He handles matters in federal and state courts throughout the southeast and represents clients when dealing with such government entities as the Department of Justice, the FBI, the SEC, and the CFPB, among others. Michael also routinely represents professional athletes and entertainers in contract negotiations, business advice, and litigation matters.

Recent Assignments

United States v. Dino Gaudio. In a nationally publicized case, former University of Louisville basketball coach and former ESPN analyst Dino Gaudio was charged with extortion in connection with a surreptitiously taped conversation Coach Gaudio had with University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Mack. Upon reviewing our case submissions, particularly relating to Coach Gaudio’s outstanding character, the presiding United States District Judge not only gave Coach Gaudio the minimum sentence permitted by law but went so far as to question the United States’ decision to prosecute the case despite the United States Sentencing Guidelines recommending two (2) years of incarceration.

Defended NBA player in arbitration before the National Basketball Players Association (“NBPA”) over agent fee dispute

Obtained a non-prosecution agreement on behalf of a client involved in the Project Varsity Blues college admission scandal

Defended client in insider trading investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that resulted in no charges or claims being made against the client

Successfully challenged an initial determination of ineligibility by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (“KHSAA”) for a high school baseball player and ensured eligibility for his junior year of high school

Defended client in homicide investigation involving a dispute with an Uber driver that resulted in no charges being brought against the client

Negotiated consulting deal on behalf of client with NFL team

Assisted client with negotiation and activation of augmented reality application at the 2019 College Football National Championship Game

Negotiated several contracts on behalf of singer/songwriter from Nashville

Successfully obtained a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) against a Kentucky business for accessing the confidential commission data of our client

Obtained a non-prosecution agreement for individual client in an oil and gas fraud matter out of the Southern District of Georgia

Represented a large corporate client in a federal antitrust investigation from the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice

Negotiated an athletic shoe and apparel contract on behalf of NBA player

Represented a large corporate client in response to multiple federal grand jury subpoenas in a large money laundering investigation in the Eastern District of Kentucky

Obtained a directed verdict in a DUI trial in Kentucky state court

Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order against the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (“KHSAA”), allowing a previously declared ineligible student athlete to compete during his senior basketball season

Represented minority contracting company in federal false claims criminal investigation

Represented casino consulting firm in federal grand jury investigation and before NIGC

Represented Kentucky Commonwealth Attorney sued for malicious prosecution

Represented a national client in an SEC insider trading investigation.

Represented state’s largest hospital system in false claims act litigation

Represented numerous doctors in criminal investigations and in front of professional license boards

Represented Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in false claims act litigation

Represented large road contractor in Department of Justice antitrust litigation

Defended litigation against a nationwide insurance company in a class action lawsuit

Represented out-of-state law firm sued for malpractice over the creation of a trust

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Firm Leadership

Business Litigation Service Group, Co-Chair (2024-present)

White Collar Practice Group, Firm Chair (2023-present)

Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, Member (2021)

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

American Health Lawyers Association

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL)

Community Involvement

St. Agnes Catholic Church, Member

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Board Member

Education

J.D.,

2008

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Org / Honor

Brandeis Law Journal, Member

B.A.,

2004

cum laude

Washington and Lee University

Org / Honor

First Team ODAC Academic All Conference (2001, 2003) – Basketball

More Than Stites & Harbison

Prior to joining Stites & Harbison, Michael worked at GE for three years as a program manager in the Warranty Management Division. Michael also participated in the firm’s summer associate program in the summer of 2007. Outside of the practice of law, Michael and his wife, Ali, have four kids: Gracie, Jack, Henry, and George. While the kids account for most of his spare time, he still finds time to live and die with University of Kentucky football and basketball as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Accolades

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2013-21)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2025)

Louisville Magazine Top Lawyers (2016)