R. Tracy Starnes

   R. Tracy Starnes concentrates his practice in civil litigation defense, with experience handling litigated matters involving general liability, automobile, retail and restaurant, construction, product liability and premises liability. Tracy is a skilled litigator and has represented clients in complex civil cases in state, federal and appellate courts. He has represented product manufacturers, general contractors and subcontractors, heavy equipment companies, retail businesses, restaurants and hotels & apartment complexes. 

   Tracy has experience handling matters involving criminal defense and domestic relations law. He has likewise provided knowledgeable assistance and representation to individuals and businesses in matters involving business and estate planning – including wills, trusts, and estates – and probate. 

   Whether it involves following client litigation protocols, understanding client goals and concerns, or providing counseling and guidance for clients from a litigator’s perspective, Tracy makes meeting his clients’ needs a top priority. 

Memberships

• Kentucky Bar Association

• Fayette County Bar Association

• Claims and Litigation Management (CLM)

• Professional Liability and Underwriting Society (PLUS)

• Themis Advocates Group 

Trial and Case Highlights

• A recent case involving a fire at a Kentucky service station that allegedly started due to defective eCigarettes. Plaintiffs brought suit against eCigarette manufacturers from multiple states. Tracy was successful in obtaining Summary Judgment in federal court in favor of his California-based client and having the case dismissed. 

• Tracy recently handled a premises liability case involving a faulty handrail at an apartment complex. The plaintiff suffered catastrophic bilateral shoulder injuries with claimed damages in excess of $2,500,000. Although the excess carrier was concerned about high exposure and/or exhaustion of the available limits, Tracy secured a settlement resolution for less than half of the available underlying limits. 

• Of late, Tracy had oral arguments concerning personal jurisdiction before the Kentucky Supreme Court on behalf of an out-of-state firearms manufacturer.

• Most recently, Tracy obtained summary judgment in favor of a property owner in a premises liability case from the trial court in Fayette County, Kentucky. 

Practice Areas

• Automobile Accident Defense

• Commercial Lines (Premises Liability and Trucking)

• Construction Defect Litigation

• Personal Lines (Premises Liability)

• PIP

• Products Liability

• Retail and Restaurant (Premises Liability)

• Transportation Defense

• UM/UIM

• Wrongful Death Defense Admissions

Admissions

• Kentucky

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

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

• Supreme Court of Kentucky

Education

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

• University of Kentucky, B.A. cum laude