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Charles E. English honored for helping secure funding for Kentucky public defenders
by Mandy Hicks
Charles E. English was one of three attorneys recently honored by the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy and the Louisville-Jefferson County Public Defender Corporation. He provided pro bono legal representation in a case that helped secure additional funding for public defenders throughout the state.
Those honored were Mr. English, Jon L. Fleischaker and Sheryl G. Snyder. Mr. English is one of the founders and a partner at English Lucas Priest & Owsley LLP, a law firm in Bowling Green, Ky.
The three attorneys filed suit against various state lawmakers and officials after the Kentucky General Assembly failed to provide adequate funding for public defenders in 2008 to 2009 biennial budget. The suit’s contention was that by underfunding and understaffing public defender offices, the state was failing to discharge its constitutional duty to provide a defense to indigent persons charged with crimes. An agreement was reached to increase funding for public defenders.
“Public defenders are essential to the legal system in Kentucky,” Mr. English said. “It is critical that public defenders are properly funded to ensure that those charged with a crime have adequate representation.”
Mr. English’s practice encompasses a wide range of civil litigation, corporate, banking and trusts and estates matters. He represents clients in federal and state courts throughout Kentucky and in arbitration and mediation in complex business litigation. Mr. English also represents clients in real estate and land use litigation and in condemnation proceedings. He handles complex estate litigation and advises clients on estate planning. Mr. English has many years of experience advising financial institutions and corporations in many industries on corporate structure and governance, financing and acquisitions.
Mr. English has long been committed to professional service. He is a member of the American Bar Association Board of Governors and is a former member of the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. He is a life member of the Judicial Conference for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He is a member of the Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Judiciary Nominating Committee. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Mr. English is a past President of the Kentucky Bar Association.
Mr. English received a Bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky. He was named to the University of Kentucky College of Law Hall of Fame in 2004. He also served on the faculty of Western Kentucky University for nearly 30 years.
