Buck Hinkle's practice is concentrated exclusively on the construction industry and business litigation. He currently chairs the firm's Construction Service Group and is a member of the Business Litigation Service Group.

His construction practice has involved services to contractors, design-builders, steel fabricators, construction managers, design professionals, owners, subcontractors, sureties, and vendors in matters ranging from construction claims to contract negotiations and drafting. His business and commercial litigation practice has involved a variety of transactions in the financial, equine, manufacturing and mineral industries.

Buck's experience in construction began in the 1960's when working jobs for a family construction company started by his father. After law school, he began private law practice while continuing his association with the family construction business as an officer, director and general counsel. From this perspective, he gained experience in construction business management, risk management and project delivery. This experience has proven valuable in counseling clients in a wide variety of construction-related legal and business matters.

Recent Cases

· Great American Insurance Company vs. Hinkle Contracting Corporation, n/k/a Hinkle Contracting Company, LL C, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, No. 12-1014: appeal enforcing an arbitration clause against a performance bond surety under the Federal Arbitration Act.

· Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. vs. BSC, Inc., et al., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Southern Division at London, Civil Action No. 6:08-CV-00292-ART: jury trial verdict for wrongful termination of contract, enforcement of termination fee and recovery of prejudgment interest; verdict affirmed on appeal.

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

· Construction Law Institute, University of Kentucky, March 1, 2013

· "Arbitrating The Surety's "Special Defenses:" The Scope Of The Arbitration Clause Matters," Stites & Harbison PLLC, Client Alert

· "Tips for Getting Paid," co-author with Angela R. Stephens, Builders Exchange of Kentucky Newsletter, March 6, 2012

· "Kentucky Supreme Court rejects shareholder level discounts," Stites & Harbison, PLLC, Client Alert, co-author with David E. Longenecker, March 6, 2012

· "A Sobering Lesson: 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' Not a Formula for Profitability," Stites & Harbison, PLLC, Client Alert, co-author with Robert E. Scully, Jr., December 19, 2011

· Author, "Changing the Landscape: BIM, IPD and Green Building prove industry is vibrant in spite of downturn," Kentucky Contractor Magazine, Spring/Summer 2009

· Moderator, Green or Sustainable Construction in Kentucky, Lorman Education Services, Louisville, Ky., October 30, 2008

· "Dealing with the Cumulative Effects of Requests for Information, Change Order Requests and Change Directives," ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, October 25-26, 2007

· "The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues," Lorman Education Services, June 28, 2007

· "Arbitration in Construction Contracts," Lorman Education Services, April 23, 2007

· Contributing Author, Kentucky Construction Law, Stites & Harbison, PLLC, 2007

· Chapter 6: "Discovery by Interrogatories," Discovery Deskbook for Construction Disputes, ABA Publishing, Summer 2006

· "AIA Contracts," Lorman Education Services, September 12, 2006

· "Sanctions Relating to Discovery," ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education, April 27, 2006

· "AIA Contracts in Kentucky," Lorman Education Services, March 22, 2006

· Contributing Author, AGC Contract Documents Handbook, Aspen Publishers, 2003

· Contributing Author, Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Law, Aspen Law & Business, 2000-present

· Contributing Author, State-By-State Guide To Architect, Engineer and Contractor Licensing, Aspen Publishers, 1998-present

· Contributing Author, Fifty State Public Construction Contracting, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996

More Than Stites & Harbison

In 2000-01, Mr. Hinkle served as Chair of the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, one of the top positions affecting construction law policy nationally. He has been a