Michael E. Kleinert
Michael advises and represents clients in a variety of business and legal matters, including complex commercial litigation, contract negotiations, regulatory matters, insurance coverage matters, civil litigation, business torts, and professional liability matters. Michael currently serves on the Firm’s Management Committee, and previously served as the Firm’s Deputy General Counsel.
Breach of Contract Defenses: Kentucky
Practical Law State Q&A, Thomas Reuters, December 2024
Contract Basics for Litigators: Kentucky
Practical Law State Q&A, Thomas Reuters, December 2024
Tortious Interference: Kentucky
Practical Law State Q&A, Thomas Reuters, August 2024
Ethics for the Mostly Undead!
CLE, presented to Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court, October 2022
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Kentucky
Practical Law, Thomson Reuters, November 2021
Affirmed before the Sixth Circuit an order dismissing bad faith, fraud, and conspiracy claims in a complex insurance coverage case involving underlying professional liability claims.
Affirmed before the Sixth Circuit an order dismissing claims against a medical record reviewer on the grounds of ERISA preemption, and successfully opposed the plaintiff's petition for a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Affirmed before the Kentucky Court of Appeals an order upholding the contractual shifting language contained in a rental car contract.
Successfully defended both companies and individuals in matters involving trade secret misappropriation, non-compete agreements, and non-solicitation provisions.
Won summary judgment in federal court in a complex contractual indemnity dispute.
Management Committee (2023-25)
Deputy General Counsel (2021-23)
Office of General Counsel (2017-23)
Office of General Counsel, Ethics Subcommittee, Member (2014-23)
State Board of Physical Therapy, Board Member (2021-25)
Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery, Board of Directors (2014-present)
WLKY-TV's Spirit of Louisville Foundation, Board of Trustees (2015-present)
St. Agnes Church, Pastoral Council (2021-present)
Leadership Kentucky, Class of 2017
Legal Aid Society, Justice for All Campaign Board Member (2011-14); Associates Campaign Board Member and Co-Chair (2009-14)
Legal Aid Society, volunteer attorney
magna cum laude
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Salutatorian (Edwin O. Davis Award)
Brandeis Law Journal, Vol. 44 Senior Articles Editor
Brandeis Honor Society
West Group Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award
Clark Boardman Callaghan Best Brief Award
Chief Justice John S. Palmore Award
summa cum laude
Minor in Information Technology
Xavier University
Valedictorian Candidate
Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society for Business Excellence
William Masterson Memorial Scholarship for Marketing
Men's NCAA Division I Tennis Team, Co-Captain
Atlantic-10 Academic All-Conference, 2001-03
Outside of practicing, Michael enjoys hiking, mountain biking, playing the guitar and piano, and spending time with his wife, daughter, son, and two dogs. Michael is also an avid fan of college basketball and football.
ChambersUSA, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Litigation: General Commercial (2021-24)
Best Lawyers in America®, Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (2022-25)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®(2023-25)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2013-21)
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 47 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2025
The 2025 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 47 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 34 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 13 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
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.
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.
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®.
Chambers USA Honors 25 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 25 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2023 guide.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 37 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Additionally, 11 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 19 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.