William F. McGee Jr. - Smithland, KY

William F. McGee Jr. is a veteran civil and criminal defense trial attorney. Members of the legal bar and judges have rated attorney McGee as AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.[1][2]

Mr. McGee has a track record of successful outcomes in cases including, but not limited to, personal injury awards, divorces, will contests, land disputes, misdemeanors, DUIs, felony assaults, felony sex crimes, felony drug charges and several highly publicized murder cases throughout Western Kentucky.

Over the last 30 years, Mr. McGee has secured numerous “NOT GUILTY” Jury Verdicts for clients charged with crimes such as, but not limited to, First Degree Murder, Drug Offenses, Assaults, Felony Sex offenses, DUIs, and other felonies and misdemeanors.

Many of Mr. McGee’s clients have had criminal charges “DISMISSED” when charged with crimes such as First Degree Murder, Manslaughter, Attempted Murder, First Degree Trafficking, First Degree Possession, Felony Sex offenses, Felony assault offenses, Felony Wanton Endangerment, Felony Neglect, Felony Burglary, Convicted Felon with Firearm Possession, Theft offenses, Unlawful Transactions with a minor, DUI, EPO/DVO violations, Terroristic Threatening, Menacing, Criminal Trespass, Misdemeanor Wanton Endangerment, Misdemeanor Assault, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Taking of Wildlife, and many other felonies and misdemeanors.

Beyond "Not Guilty" verdicts and "Dismissals," Mr. McGee has successfully represented many clients before the Kentucky Supreme Court and Kentucky Court of Appeals. and the UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. To his credit, Mr. McGee’s work in these courts has resulted in changes to existing law or the creation of new law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Today, lawyers and judges throughout Kentucky often look to the published decisions in Mr. McGee’s cases for guidance. For his clients, Mr. McGee’s work has resulted in favorable, published decisions in legal areas including, but not limited to, (1) a murder defendant’s right to test evidence, (2) a drug trafficking charge’s dismissal due to an illegal search, (3) a wrongful death action against an insurance company, (4) a certified public accountant husband’s misappropriation of over $2,000,000.00 in a divorce, and (5) a challenge to a widow’s claim to land and money valued at over $850,000.00.

Mr. McGee is committed to getting great outcomes for clients by keeping them informed at every stage of the process. He is a third-generation attorney preceded in the office by his grandfather, Raymond B. Dycus, and father, William F. McGee. He is admitted to practice in all Kentucky state courts and the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

Successful Criminal Defense, Divorce, Personal Injury and Trial Attorney

Mr. McGee has decades of experience, and his reputation accurately reflects his elite legal skills. He has a nationally recognized record of peer-reviewed distinction. Through his advocacy, he has established new case law and is always looking for new and innovative ways to defend and assert his clients' rights.

THE FOLLOWING CASES ARE "PUBLISHED" APPELLATE COURT CASES ESTABLISHING, CLARIFYING OR MODIFYING THE LAW IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY HANDLED BY ATTORNEY MCGEE: L.O. v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 995 SW2d 384 (Ky. 1999) (favorable decision - first degree murder); Commonwealth of Kentucky v. McManus, 107 SW3d 175 (Ky. 2003) (US Supreme Court certioria denied) (favorable decision - drug trafficking); General Accident Ins. Co. of America v. Guess, 936 SW2d 97 (Ky.Ct.App. 1997) (favorable decision - wrongful death); Kleet v. Kleet, 264 SW3d 610 (Ky.Ct.App. 2007) (favorable decision - divorce); Vick v. Elliot, 422 S.W.3d 277 (Ky.Ct. App. 2014) (favorable decision - real estate), Marshall v. Marshall, 599 S.W.3d 381 (Ky.Ct. App. 2018) (favorable decision - family law).

[1] Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.

[2] AV Preeminent® is a Certification Mark used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.