Kentucky Supreme Court Backs Emery Law Office in Key Employment Agreement Ruling

Louisville, Kentucky — Emery Law Office, a dedicated personal injury law firm serving the Louisville community, is pleased to announce a significant legal victory at the state’s highest court. On June 25, 2026, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued a 4-3 opinion authored by Justice Kelly Thompson, ruling in favor of Emery Law Office in a pivotal contract dispute.

This landmark decision centered on a separation agreement between Emery Law Office and a former associate attorney, Joel Franklin. The agreement required Franklin to share 75% of contingency fees earned from clients who chose to follow him to a new firm after his departure. The Kentucky Supreme Court held that this fee allocation provision does not violate the legal public policy prohibiting restrictions on an attorney’s ability to practice law. By reversing an earlier Court of Appeals decision, the Supreme Court successfully reinstated the Jefferson Circuit Court’s original judgment enforcing the agreement in Emery’s favor.

Protecting Firm Stability for the Benefit of Our Clients

While the legal mechanics of contingency fee allocations are highly technical, the heart of this victory is about community and consistency. For founder and managing attorney Melissa Emery, Esq., making sure the enforceability of the firm’s internal agreements is critical to maintaining a reliable, well-resourced environment for injury victims across Kentucky.

“Emery Law Office is proud to see the Kentucky Supreme Court affirm the fairness and enforceability of the agreements our firm relies on to support our attorneys and our practice,” says Melissa Emery. “This outcome reflects our continued commitment to building a stable, well-supported legal team here in Louisville, that’s able to keep showing up for the clients and neighbors who depend on us. As our firm continues to grow, decisions like this help make sure we can keep investing in the people and practices that allow us to serve our community well for years to come.”

For legal professionals throughout the state, this ruling provides critical clarity regarding the validity of negotiated employment and separation agreements within law firms. For Emery Law Office, it validates a business model designed to fiercely protect the resources necessary to litigate complex personal injury cases. The firm remains dedicated to making sure that its team can focus entirely on helping clients pursue the compensation they need to recover.

About Emery Law Office

We believe that a successful claim begins with a positive client-attorney relationship. When you work with us, you won’t feel like you need a legalese interpreter – we talk to people like people.

You can expect that kind of personable service from every member of our team, starting with your first phone call to our receptionist. Your case belongs to you, not to your attorney, your medical providers, or the insurance companies involved in your case.

As the claimant, you’re in the driver’s seat, and that means you get the final say on everything involved in your case.