Member

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.

Recent Assignments

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.

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

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

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

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

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

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Tax Court

Firm Leadership

Management Committee (2023-25)

Deputy General Counsel (2021-23)

Office of General Counsel (2017-23)

Office of General Counsel, Ethics Subcommittee, Member (2014-23)

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Kentucky Defense Counsel

Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court

,

Barrister

Community Involvement

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

Education

J.D.,

2006

magna cum laude

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Org / Honor

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

B.S.B.A., Marketing,

2003

summa cum laude

Minor in Information Technology

Xavier University

Org / Honor

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

More Than Stites & Harbison

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.

Accolades

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)