Jason P. Renzelmann

Legal Work Highlights

Higgins v. Kentucky Sports Radio, LLC, 951 F.3d 728 (6th Cir. 2020)

Successfully argued federal appeal affirming First Amendment dismissal of incitement and defamation claims brought by NCAA referee against sports talk radio host.

Little v. Louisville Gas & Electric Co., No. 2020-CA-0137, 2020 WL 7295199 (Ky. App. Dec. 11, 2020)

Successfully opposed class certification in trial and appellate court in putative class action asserting property damage claims allegedly arising from power plant air emissions.

Extendicare Homes, Inc. v. Whisman, 478 S.W.3d 306 (Ky. 2015), cert. granted sub nom., Kindred Nursing Centers Ltd. Partnership v. Clark, 137 S. Ct. 368 (2016)

Argued Kentucky Supreme Court appeal concerning enforceability of arbitration agreements executed pursuant to a durable power of attorney.

Coppage Constr. Co. v. Sanitation Dist. No. 1 of N. Ky., 459 S.W.3d 855 (Ky. 2015)

Successfully argued Kentucky Supreme Court appeal holding regional sewer district was not entitled to sovereign immunity, which set forth definitive criteria under Kentucky law for extending immunity to quasi-state entities.

Guy v. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Gov’t, 624 F. App’x 922 (6th Cir. 2015)
Guy v. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Gov’t, 488 F. App’x 9 (6th Cir. 2012)

Successfully represented urban county government, including arguing Sixth Circuit appeal, defeating class certification and obtaining summary judgment in putative class action asserting claims under 42 U.S.C. §1983 for alleged deliberate indifference to acts of abuse by director of non-profit corporation that received local government grant funding.

Bidwell v. University Medical Center, Inc., 685 F.3d 613 (6th Cir. 2012)

Successfully argued appeal in first decision by any U.S. Court of Appeals construing the scope of Safe Harbor protection under new ERISA default investment rules.

Young v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 693 F.3d 532 (6th Cir. 2012)

Represented national insurance company in federal class action alleging incorrect calculation and collection of local government taxes on insurance premiums, including negotiating settlement and leading effort for court approval of class settlement. 

Kentucky Public Service Commission v. Conway, 324 S.W.3d 373 (Ky. 2010)

Successfully represented public utilities in appeals construing statutory authority of Kentucky Public Service Commission to approve certain types of rate and tariff provisions.

Burkhead v. Louisville Gas & Electric Co., 250 F.R.D. 287 (W.D. Ky. 2008)

Successfully represented public utility in opposing certification of class action alleging damages resulting from emissions by coal fired electric power plant.

Fletcher v. Graham, 192 S.W.3d 350 (Ky. 2006)

Represented Office of the Governor in landmark case concerning scope of Governor’s power to issue blanket amnesty prior to indictment under the Kentucky Constitution.

Fletcher v. Commonwealth, 163 S.W.3d 852 (Ky. 2005)

Represented Office of the Governor in landmark case concerning constitutional authority of the Governor to fund the continuation of public programs in the absence of a legislatively enacted budget.

Law School

Yale Law School, J.D., 2001

Undergraduate School

University of Louisville, B.A., 1995, summa cum laude

Jason served as a clerk for the court(s) and judge(s) below:

Honorable Karen Nelson Moore, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Jason is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky, 2003

Jason is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Eastern District of Kentucky

Western District of Kentucky

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Kentucky Bar Association

Jason is an author or contributor to the following publications:

“Tips for Persuasive Briefs Beyond the Argument Section,” Co-Author, Law360, November 20, 2024