John Estill

John F. Estill is a Maysville native, who was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky and West Virginia in 1988, and later admitted to practice in the State of Ohio. John has also practiced before the United States District Courts in Kentucky, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. John has a wide range of legal knowledge and experience, and leads the firms litigation practice. John also coordinates condemnations and other litigation for the firm’s project development team, and has become a preeminent expert on condemnation practice. John’s practice varies widely from personal injury and wrongful death cases to business litigation. John was elected Mason County Attorney in 1994, and has been twice named Kentucky’s Outstanding County Attorney, and is also a member of the Prosecutors Advisory Council. John serves the Kentucky Bar Association as an active member of its Ethics Committee and as an Ethics Hotline Attorney.

Awards

Notable Legal Experience

Represents owners, contractors, and consultants in commercial and industrial construction transactions
Routinely advises on project delivery, risk allocation, and other issues in construction and development projects in addition to project disputes
Advises on procurement, including under Kentucky’s public-private partnership (P3) laws
Advises on other project-related contracts and documents, such as consulting and program manager agreements, independent contractor agreements, subcontracts and purchase orders, maintenance agreements, project financing, and others
Represented owner in connection with EPC contract to construct first-of-its-kind commercial plastics recycling facility, in addition to representation on various specialty supplier and other transactions
Represented contractor in connection with EPC contract to deliver high-tech greenhouse project
Drafted and negotiated agreements for multiple hospitality and food/beverage projects, including major hotel renovations, new hotel construction, and Kentucky bourbon facilities
Drafted and negotiated EPC agreement for owner of first-of-its kind recycling pilot plant
Drafted and negotiated agreements for multiple commercial assisted living facilities

Work History

Education

Admissions

Professional Organizations

Speaking Engagements & Publications

Speaking Engagements

Presenter, "Notice Provisions in Construction Contracts," Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association (August 19, 2023)
Presenter, "Economic Development/P3; How to Move Your County Forward," Kentucky Association of Counties' (KACo) Leadership Institute, Frankfort, Kentucky (April 3, 2019)
Presenter, "Facilitating the Project with Effective Construction Contracting," HalfMoon Education Construction Law Seminar, Lexington, Kentucky (March 29, 2019)
Co-presenter, “From Insight to Action: Madison County’s Healing Center P3," Kentucky Governor’s Local Issues Conference (Aug. 2017)

Writing and Publications

Co-author with Danielle M. Waltz and Andrew N. Schock, "Critical Provisions: Knowing the Consequences of Owner Insolvency," Modern Contractor Solutions (Jan. 2023)
Co-author with Danielle M. Waltz, "The Perfect Storm - Owner Concerns: navigating construction contracts in uncertain times," Modern Contractor Solutions (March 2022)
Author, “The Opportunities and Risks of Opportunity Zone Projects,” Kentucky Constructor (Spring 2019)
Author, “Trade, Tariffs, and Contracting for Price Volatility,” Kentucky Constructor (Spring 2018)
Co-author with John W. Hays, "Update on Capital Plaza P3 Procurement," Kentucky Constructor (Fall 2017)
Co-author with John W. Hays, “Three Things to Consider Before You Jump Into a P3 Build-Lease Deal,” BuildingKentucky.com
UK/CLE Kentucky Corporation Law Handbook, 3d ed. Update (2017) – Chapter Update, “Closely-Held Corporation Governance and Minority Shareholder Issues” (co-author with Clifton B. Clark)
UK/CLE Kentucky Corporation Law Handbook, 3d ed. Update (2017) - Chapter Update, “Shareholders’ Litigation” (co-author with Jay E. Ingle)

Partner

Practices

Industries