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KY Court of Appeals Hears Oral Arguments at Chase
Chase students talk to Judge Michelle M. Keller during the continental breakfast.
Chase students talk to Judge Michelle M. Keller during the continental breakfast.

Sep 30, 2009 - The Kentucky Court of Appeals heard two oral arguments today at the NKU Chase College of Law.

Judge Michelle M. Keller, Judge Joy A. Moore, and Judge C. Shea Nickell heard the first case, SANDRA C. BROOKS v LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY. The issues in this case were whether the Housing Authority is immune from non-wage garnishment under KRS 426.010 due to "law of the case doctrine," whether the Authority was entitled to recover expenses from Brooks for successfully opposing garnishment, and whether the trial court erred in rejecting Brooks' request for attorney's fees.

The second case, TECO MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR, INC v ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET, was heard by Judge Michelle M. Keller, Judge Joseph E. Lambert, and Judge Christopher Shea Nickell. In this case, the Labor Cabinet charged Teco with categorizing skilled laborers as laborers and underpaying them on public works jobs. Teco challenged the constitutionality of various provisions of KRS 337 and lost. Teco appealed from a circuit court judgment that found KRS 337 constitutional and awarded approximately $63,000 in wages to the employees, in addition to fining Teco $9,000.

Chase students and faculty had the opportunity to meet the judges at a continental breakfast prior to oral arguments, and at a luncheon held following the oral arguments. Students appreciated the opportunity to discuss current legal issues and state programs with the judges. "As a CLEO scholar, it was a pleasure to meet the former Chief Justice in person and thank him for his and Representative Crenshaw's vision for CLEO and his continued support," said 2L JeRhonda Lynem, referring to the Council on Legal Education Opportunity.