Law Enforcement

Our firm has become known to law enforcement over many years due to representation of numerous FOP lodges throughout the state. Our reputation resulted from the career work of my partner, Mark Miller, with whom I started our firm 26 years ago as Miller & Meade PSC. Mark left our firm effective May 3, 2010, as a consequence of some life and career choices that caused him to chart a new direction, joining the Jefferson County Attorney's Office.

Throughout those many years, I worked with Mark as a backup on cases involving the Police Officer's Bill of Rights (KRS 15.520), collective bargaining issues and strategies, representation of both individual officers and FOP's for advice, counsel and litigation. My own public safety experience includes representing the Louisville EMS worker union (EMSEA) for a decade prior to their merger with the Fire Department. I negotiated their contracts, handled grievances and arbitrations, worked with the Board of Alderman as a part of their political strategy, and went to Frankfort as their lobbyist to get the definition of hazardous duty employment changed so they could be added for pension purposes. This was the big incentive for joining the fire department. It proved successful, but I lost them as a client as a consequence when they became part of the Firefighter's Union. I have in years past represented the Teamsters, Local 783, (currently represented by my partner Scott Miller) and the Fireman & Oilers in public sector bargaining. I have also represented employees of state corrections before the personnel board.

I have done extensive work in the public sector and in dealing with issues of first importance to law enforcement and public safety employees. I am proud to have the opportunity to now represent Bluegrass Lodge 4, out of Lexington, and Corrections Lodge 77, in Metro Government, the second and third largest FOP organizations in the state, which have elected to remain with our firm after Mark's departure.

We take great pride in representing these honored professions, and frequently assist public safety employees ranging from executive level supervisors to probationary employees just entering the profession.

In addition to defending law enforcement officers in traditional employment matters, such as those involving suspensions, removal or other discipline, we also handle many specific types of representation for law enforcement officers that include the following:

• Internal Affairs investigations
• Garrity Rights issues
• Statement Preparation and Review
• Disciplinary Appeals before all forums
• Performance review appeals
• Polygraph matters
• Merit Board or Disciplinary Review Board representation
• Civil action and defense
• Grievance preparation through arbitration
• Deadly force incident representation
• Law Enforcement Officer certification issues
• Collective bargaining negotiations
• Legislation matters
• Wage & Hour issues

We recognize that each law enforcement agency differs to some extent, and often times some departmental procedures vary, requiring special attention to specific general orders in preparation for the legal defense of law enforcement officers.

We are a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Legal Defense Plan and accepts this Plan, which is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police, for the payment of legal fees.

Attorneys

Don C. Meade

David Leightty