Burt A. (Chuck) Stinson - Louisville, KY
Attorney at Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP
Appellate & Constitutional Law Lawyers in Louisville, KY
710 West Main Street 4th Floor Louisville, KY 40202
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
5
Years
Experience
Louisville Appellate & Constitutional Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/24/2026
Areas of Practice
- Appellate & Constitutional Law
- Complex Commercial & Business Litigation
- Class Action
- Administrative Law
- Managed-Care Litigation
- Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Attorney Information
Overview
Chuck’s nationwide practice focuses on appellate litigation, regulatory disputes, class and derivative actions, and other complex commercial matters. He represents clients at all levels of the federal court system, as well as before federal administrative agencies and in state courts.
Chuck began his legal career as law clerk for the Honorable John K. Bush of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Given his deep understanding of the appeals process and strong written and oral advocacy skills, Chuck is frequently retained to take over representation of high-stakes matters as they move into the appellate stage. His appellate successes span numerous substantive areas of law, including constitutional law, administrative law, intellectual property disputes, class actions, and managed-care litigation. He has represented a diverse array of business clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies in heavily regulated industries to start-up enterprises, shareholders, and corporate officers and directors.
Before entering legal practice, Chuck served in the United States Air Force. He also spent four years with the FBI, where he was involved in a variety of criminal, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity investigations.
In addition to his legal practice, Chuck serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, where he teaches courses on Constitutional law and Appellate Advocacy.
Awards and Honors
Other Sources of Feedback About Burt A. (Chuck) Stinson
Included on the 2026 Kentucky Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of Louisville School of Law,
Louisville,
Kentucky
J.D.
Honors: summa cum laude
Honors: Brandeis Scholar
Honors: Ordered Liberty Fellow
-
University of Louisville School of Law,
Louisville,
Kentucky
-
Non Legal Education
-
Defense Language Institute,
Monterey,
California
Honors: summa cum laude
Major: Chinese-Mandarin -
Western Kentucky University,
Bowling Green,
Kentucky
B.A.
Honors: Dean’s List
Major: English & Literature
-
Defense Language Institute,
Monterey,
California
Past Positions
- Law Clerk, Hon. John K. Bush, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Pro Bono Activities
- Refuge International, Board Member, 2025–Present
Representative Cases
-
Obtained summary judgment reversal, on behalf of media clients, upholding constitutionality of media provisions to the Open Records Act under the First Amendment. Zillow, Inc. v. Miller, 126 F.4th 445 (6th Cir. 2025).
-
Won summary judgment affirmance in putative nationwide class action alleging cost-of-insurance rates were improperly raised and seeking nine-figure damages. PHT Holding I, LLC v. Security Life of Denver Ins. Co., No. 23-1326, 2024 WL 4765530 (10th Cir. Nov. 13, 2024).
-
Obtained reversal of three separate lower-court judgments in consolidated appeal of multimillion-dollar commercial lease dispute. SuperAsh Remainderman, LP v. Ashland, LLC, — S.W.3d —, 2024 WL 4521291 (Ky. Ct. App. 2024).
-
Won affirmance of judgment awarding client $1.3 million in damages based on the filed-rate doctrine. Granite State Ins. Co. v. Star Mine Servs., Inc., 29 F.4th 317, 320 (6th Cir. 2022).
-
Successfully argued for dismissal of a creditor’s appeal of a bankruptcy court order regarding debtor’s retention of counsel. In re Curare Lab. LLC, Case No. 22-8015 (6th Cir. BAP Oct. 14, 2023).
-
Won affirmance of an order dismissing claims by a life settlement company against a life insurer for breach of contract. GWG DLP Funding V, LLC v. PHL Variable Ins. Co., 54 F.4th 1029, 1032 (8th Cir. 2022).
-
Obtained vacatur of jury verdict awarding punitive damages in intellectual property dispute. House v. Players’ Dugout, Inc., 22-5843, 2024 WL 495998 (6th Cir. Feb. 8, 2024).
Bar Admissions
- Kentucky
- Indiana
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky
Photo
Contact
710 West Main Street
4th Floor
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 502-200-9280
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.kaplanjohnsonlaw.com
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.