Virginia Hamilton Snell

Senior Counsel

Overview
Experience
Credentials
Perspectives

Virginia Snell chairs the Firm’s Appellate Advocacy Practice.  She has served as a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee and as chair of the firm’s Professional Personnel Recruiting Committee, responsible for the firm’s summer associate program and the hiring of entry level associates.  In addition to the civic and professional commitments described below, Virginia regularly represents clients in appellate courts and in cases before lower courts that primarily involve questions of law and are likely to proceed to the appellate level. According to clients in Chambers USA, “She is sharp as a tack and is very well respected as an attorney.” 

Her experience encompasses a wide range of issues, including constitutional, contract, statutory, class action, regulatory, legal malpractice, trusts and estates, wrongful death, tax, healthcare provider, employment, and business disputes, over, for example, fraud, fiduciary duty, lender liability, shareholder rights, or covenants not to compete.  Virginia often becomes involved after a trial when an independent appellate analysis and representation is desirable.

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REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Virginia has served as appellate counsel in the following significant cases:

  • Photographic Illustrator’s Inc. v. Orgill, Inc. (1st Cir. 2020) (Case No. 19-1452) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit unanimously affirmed the judgment in our client’s (Orgill’s) issue of first impression, in perhaps the only opinion that fully addresses the criteria for a sublicense and the rationale for allowing a copyright sublicense to be implied.
  • Owensboro Health, Inc. v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 706 Fed. Appx. 302 (6th Cir. 2017). Our client Owensboro Health challenged the agency’s classification of medical technicians under Medicaid regulations, which adversely affected reimbursement rates. The Sixth Circuit sympathized with the hospital’s position but deferred to the agency’s interpretation given the deference standard of review.
  • Lettie Sexton v. Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, et al, No. 2016-SC-540.  The Supreme Court ruled against our client (Sexton) in adopting federal constitutional test for standing.
  • Sparkman v. Consol Energy 571 S.W.3d 569 (Ky. 2019). The Supreme Court affirmed in the client’s (Consol’s) favor on an issue of first impression, holding that a parent corporation cannot be liable for tortious interference with a subsidiaries contract.
  • American Mining v. Peters Farms, LLC, 557 S.W. 3d. 293 (Ky. 2018). In this insurance coverage dispute, the Supreme Court reversed in our client’s (American’s) favor and set aside a punitive damages award.
  • Hon. Ann Bailey Smith Chief Judge, Jefferson District Court v. Commonwealth of Kentucky Ex Rel Michael J. O’Connell, et al (Case No. 2013-SC-000828).  This appeal involved a dispute between the Jefferson Circuit Court (our client) and the County Attorney over the validity and interpretation of a statutes governing court costs and issues like separation of powers.  The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal after the General Assembly amended the statute in favor of the County Attorney.
  • Dianna Hull Perazzo, M.D. v. Melanie Robbins (Case No. 2018-CA-000986). Dr. Perazzo’s insurer retained us to handle an appeal from a multimillion dollar judgment. the appeal involves a number of trial errors, which include the laws governing the admissibility of evidence to prove causation. The Court of Appeals affirmed and a motion for discretionary review is pending.
  • Ridgeway Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility v. Stella Collins, 2017 WL 1829742. The jury found a nursing home negligent in caring for a resident who died and awarded compensatory damages and nearly $1 million in punitive damages. On appeal, we represented the nursing home’s parent corporation arguing that there was no joint venture between it and the nursing home and, regardless, the negligent conduct did not justify punitive damages. The Court of Appeals found a joint venture but vacated the substantial punitive award.
  • Big Rivers Electric Coop v. City of Henderson and Henderson Municipal Power & Light (No. 2013-CA-000019) (unpublished). We defended the City of Henderson in an appeal from an arbitration award that we won. The dispute involved the right to reserve power and energy under a complex Power Sales Contract, valued at around $150 million. The appeal involved all aspects of contract construction as well as constitutional restrictions on the City’s ability to contract. The Court of Appeals affirmed in the City’s favor.
  • Nami v. Asher Land & Mineral 554 S.W.3d 323 (Ky. 2018).  The Supreme Court ruled in the client’s (Nami’s) favor in construing the provisions of gas leases in a royalty dispute, holding that tort liability and punitive damages are not available to a plaintiff when an alleged injury results solely from a breach of contract.
  • Brown-Forman Corporation, et al. v. George Miller 528 S.W.3d 886 (Ky. 2017).  This appeal involved a tort suit by residents against distillers for alleged mold contamination of their property.  We represented Heaven Hill. The Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part, holding that, while federal environmental law did not preempt a claim for monetary damages to property, Kentucky law did bar any action for injunctive relief that would require distillers to adopt measures that were not required in their permits to operate.
  • Your Community Bank v. Woodlawn Springs Homeowners Association 449 S.W.3d 357 (Ky. 2014).  The Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and ruled in the client’s (Bank’s) favor, holding that a contractual assignment of rights must be enforced as written.
  • Jarvis v. National City and PNC Bank, 410 S.W.3d 148 (Ky. 2013). The Supreme Court affirmed judgment for our clients (the Banks) in applying the statute that governs trustee fees, an issue of first impression.
  • Branch Banking and Trust Company v. Larry Thompson, et. al, 2009-CA-001427 (Ky. App. 2011).  The Court reversed a $10 million jury verdict against our client (the Bank) in lender liability action and enforced forbearance agreement in the client’s favor.
  • Fuel Transport, Inc., et al v. Garnett Gibson, as Executor and Personal Representative of the Estate of Topsie Gibson, 410 SW 3d 56 (Ky. 2013).  The Supreme Court reversed a multi-million punitive award against our client (Fuel Transport) where the plaintiff alleged the company allowed a defective truck to be driven, which injured the plaintiff.
  • Vinland Energy Operations LLC v. Engle, 2009-CA-002227 (Ky. App. 2011). The Court reversed a jury verdict against our client (Vinland) in a sexual harassment case.
  • Scott v. Moore Pontiac Dealership, 291 SW 3d 622 (Ky. 2009).  The Court held that our client (the dealership) cannot be liable for an accident caused by a customer on a test drive.
  • EPI v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, 2006-SC-000348 (Ky. 2010).  The Court affirmed judgment for our client (EPI) in a Medicaid reimbursement dispute.
  • Haydon Bridge v. Governor Ernie Fletcher, 304 SW 3d 682 (Ky. 2010). We represented the Governor in defending budget provisions.  The Court upheld the constitutionality of parts of the 2000-2004 Kentucky budget provisions enacted by Legislature.
  • Flegles v. TruServ, 289 SW 3d 544 (Ky. 2009) The Court reversed a multi-million jury verdict against our client (TruServ) in a case alleging fraudulent inducement to enter a contract.
  • Louisville Metro Housing Authority v. Burns, 198 S.W.3d 147 (Ky. App. 2005) The Court ruled that our client (Housing Authority) was entitled to governmental immunity from punitive damages.
  • Elk Horn Coal Corp. v. Cheyenne Resources, Inc., 163 S.W.3d 408 (Ky. 2005) The Court ruled in our client’s (Elk Horn’s) favor in holding that the appeal penalty statute is unconstitutional.  
  • City of Covington v. Kenton County, 149 S.W.3d 358 (Ky. 2004) The Court ruled in our client’s (the City’s) favor involving the statutory construction of tax credit, and held its taxpayers were entitled to a tax credit.
  • Stringer v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 151 S.W.3d 781 (Ky. 2004) The Court reversed a verdict against our client Wal-Mart, in part and remanded in part, when an employee’s claim for damages alleged defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other employment-related claims.
  • Sand Hill Energy, Inc. v. Smith, 142 S.W.3d 153 (Ky. 2004) (punitive damage standard) (Amicus Party – Product Liability Council)
  • RAM Engineering & Const., Inc. v. University of Louisville, 127 S.W.3d 579 (Ky. 2004) The Court ruled in favor of our client (RAM) in a challenge to the validity of the University’s construction bidding process.
  • Lanier v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 99 S.W.3d 431 (Ky. 2003) In a case of first impression on premises liability standard, the Court reversed a summary judgment in our client’s (Wal-Mart’s) favor and shifted the burden of proof on remand for new trial.
  • Wilhite v. Rockwell Intern. Corp., 83 S.W.3d 516 (Ky. 2002) and on remand, 143 S.W.3d 604 (Ky. App. 2003) (many issues in environmental tort action, including proof needed for “injury” to property)

EDUCATION

J.D., University of Texas Law School, with honors

  • Order of the Coif
  • Articles Editor on the Texas Law Review

B.A., University of Texas, summa cum laude

  • Plan II Honors Program with Special Honors in History
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Phi Kappa Phi

ADMISSIONS

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • United States District Courts of Kentucky
  • All Kentucky Courts
  • All Texas Courts (inactive status)
  • United States Court of Federal Claims

HONORS

  • 2020 Distinguished Service Award from the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for services that could result in improvement of the criminal justice system.
  • AV rated in Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating
  • American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Inducted 2015
  • Best Lawyers® 2022 Bet-the-Company Litigation Louisville “Lawyer of the Year”
  • Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America® Louisville “Lawyer of the Year” Litigation-Securities 2020
  • Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America® Louisville “Lawyer of the Year” Appellate Practice 2013, 2019
  • Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Litigation-Securities, 2006-2021
  • Recognized as one of the “Top Lawyers” in the area of Appellate Law by Louisville Magazine, March, 2014
  • Recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation 2017-2019
  • Kentucky Super Lawyers® 2007-2024, in the top 25 women attorneys in Kentucky, 2013-2023, and ranked #1 lawyer in Kentucky by Super Lawyers® for 2018
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2005 – Present. Chambers has stated under Kentucky litigation, that Ms. Snell is “personable,” and as “Chair of the appellate practice group was pinpointed by peers as ‘exceptionally good on heavy-duty appellate motions’ and almost exclusively practices at this level. Covering a wide range of areas, including legal malpractice and securities fraud, she has been involved in cases for some of the largest retail and insurance companies in the USA.”  In addition, clients interviewed by Chambers USA describe Ms. Snell as “responsive and logical” and an “excellent lawyer and writer” and that she “comes up with creative ideas of how to approach the problem” and “takes cases that other people have tried and figures out how to turn them around.”

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Judicial Clerk to the Hon. Homer Thornberry, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member, Inquiry Commission, Kentucky Bar Association, appointed by Chief Justice, 2019 to present
  • Member, Louisville Bar Foundation Board of Directors, 2017 to present
  • Member, Louisville Bar Association Board of Directors, 2019 – 2020
  • President, The Inn of Court, an organization promoting skills, ethics, civility and professionalism in the Bar, 2018-2019, and member, 2007 to present
  • Member, Commission on Bar Admission, appointed by Kentucky Supreme Court, 2012-2015
  • Chair of Appellate Advocacy Section, Kentucky Bar Association (2008-2009), established by the Kentucky Supreme Court
  • President of The Law Club (2008-2009), and now member, of a fifty-member organization of lawyers and judges, with the object of refreshing and broadening professional knowledge and providing a forum for the exercise of professional scholarship
  • Member (2006-2008), appointed by the Kentucky Supreme Court to serve on the Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee, which considers proposed amendments to the Civil Rules governing practice in Kentucky courts
  • Member, Attorney’s Advertising Commission for the Kentucky Bar Association, 2003-2005, appointed by the Board of Governors

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

  • Member, Litigation Committee, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Louisville Public Media Board of Directors, Vice Chair of the Committee on Board Leadership and Governance, Member, Executive Committee. LPM consists of three public radio stations, WFPL (NPR and local news), WFPK (alternative music and entertainment) and WUOL (classical music), 2010-2014
  • Member, Visiting Committee to assess curriculum, Board of Overseers for Brandeis Law School, University of Louisville, 2007-2008 
  • Past President and member, Board of Trustees for the Oldham County Public Library District, appointed to the Board by the Fiscal Court 2000-2009 and 2011-2020, during which the Library completed a major construction project for a new building in LaGrange, KY, which is the first leed-certified (green) library in Kentucky.
  • Member, State Advisory Council on Libraries and Archives, appointed by Governor, 2001-2006
  • Member, Gala Committee for the Oldham County Historical Society, 2000-2008
  • Member, Executive Committee of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival Board of Directors in 1990s

PUBLICATIONS

  • “Dear Trial Court:  Please Key The Post-Judgment Interest Rate To An Index, Not Making It The Best Investment In Town,” Bar Briefs, June 2011
  • “Make Sure You’re Awake When the Arbitration Clause is Negotiated,” Bench & Bar, September 2009

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