M. Jake Bliss

   M. Jake Bliss focuses his civil defense practice on professional liability, transportation, bad faith, employment law, premises liability, coverage, business and commercial contracts and litigation, home insurance claims, and real estate litigation. Jake skillfully handles high exposure cases and complex legal matters. 

   Jake has represented retail corporations, product manufacturers, doctors, lawyers, distributors, general contractors, restaurants and bars, transportation companies, and heavy equipment companies. 

   Jake is available 24/7 to immediately deploy to the scene of a major accident to undertake an investigation of the evidence at hand and direct experts to evaluate the accident for possible exposure and defenses. 

Memberships

• Kentucky Bar Association

• Fayette County Bar Association

• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)

• Themis Advocates Group 

Trial and Case Highlights

• Jennings v. Drayer Physical Therapy, Fayette Circuit Court (2014), Kentucky Court of Appeals (2016) Affirmed defense jury verdict on an alleged physical therapist malpractice; affirmed on appeal. 

• Elam v. Franz, Kentucky Court of Appeals (2013),  Affirmed trial Court’s denial of new trial following jury award of minimal medical expenses and zero for pain and suffering following impact motor vehicle accident. 

• Holmes v. Horse Capital Realty, LLC, Kentucky Court of Appeals (2023), Affirmed trial Court’s award of summary judgment in favor of Horse Capital Realty, LLC on professional liability claims against real estate broker.

Practice Areas

• Appellate Work

• Arbitration

• Automobile Accident Defense

• Bad Faith

• Bank Litigation: Collections and Foreclosures

• Commercial Lines (Premises Liability)

• Construction Defect Litigation

• Contract Disputes

• Coverage Litigation

• Directors and Officers Litigation

• Dram Shop Litigation

• Elevator Liability

• Excess Liability Claims

• Fraud Defense/EUO

• Insurance Agent (E&O)

• Legal Malpractice (E&O)

• Mediation

• Medical Malpractice

• PIP

• Personal Lines (Premises Liability)

• Products Liability

• Professional Liability

• Real Estate (E&O)

• Real Estate Closings

• Retail and Restaurant (Premises Liability)

• Transportation Defense

• UM/UIM

• Wrongful Death Defense 

Admissions

• Kentucky

• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky 

Education

• University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D.

• University of Paris X-Nanterre – Comparative Law Program

• Transylvania University, B.A.