Craig is a Member in Stoll Keenon Ogden’s Louisville office and has been with the firm since 2001. He serves as Chair of the Sports and Criminal Law practices, Co-Chair of the Health Care practice and also focuses on complex commercial litigation. Having served as lead Trial Counsel on more than 60 Jury Trials and dozens of Bench Trials and Administrative Proceedings, Craig brings unique and critical experience to the representation of his clients.
Among the highlights of Craig’s distinguished career is his successful defense at trial of a Division I college football coach and athletic association against a student alleging improprieties in the granting of football scholarships. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the university and awarded no damages. In the public realm, Craig serves as Chairman of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Prior to joining SKO, Craig worked as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and was the lead Prosecutor in a number of high-profile cases, including a workplace violence trial that ended in convictions on two counts of intentional murder. Craig also served as one of two Prosecutors imbedded with the Gang Violence Task Force.
Sports Law: Craig provides counsel to several of the nation’s leading collegiate athletic programs. He is a trusted advisor on matters spanning from employment and labor to NCAA compliance.
Criminal Law: As a former prosecutor, Craig brings a range of skill and experience to this practice. He has worked with business professionals charged with white-collar crimes like tax evasion, insider trading, fraud and embezzlement.
Business Litigation: For businesses and individual professionals faced with disputes, Craig draws upon his considerable expertise to achieve a satisfactory resolution, either in the courtroom or at the negotiating table.
Business Torts: Craig represents clients in defending and prosecuting torts such as abuse of power, bad faith and misappropriation of trade secrets. He provides thoughtful counsel at every phase of litigation, including pre-hearing processes.
Environmental Litigation: In matters involving air, water and waste, Craig consults with businesses on compliance with laws and regulations, and he negotiates with state and federal agencies regarding agreed-upon orders and corrective measures.
Health Care: Craig stays abreast of the industry landscape to offer assistance to healthcare companies, physician groups, assisted-living facilities, hospitals, physical therapy companies and other service providers on civil, criminal, internal security and administrative concerns.
Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits: Leveraging his depth of knowledge in this evolving area, Craig helps employers solve problems through proactive counseling, employee training and, where possible, cost-effective litigation.
Recognition
• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Best Lawyers®, Commercial Litigation, Litigation — Environmental, and Litigation — Labor and Employment, 2012-present
• Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honoree, 2012-2022
• Louisville Magazine Top Lawyer, Criminal Defense Law - White Collar, 2012-2014
• Louisville Magazine Best Lawyers Under Age 40 - Pick of the Judges, 2006
• Business First "Forty Under 40" Recipient, 2003
• Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Badge Awarded for Outstanding Service in the Prosecution of Crimes Against Citizens of the Commonwealth, 2001
• Jefferson County Police Service to Law Enforcement Award, 2001
• Louisville Division of Police Special Service and Dedication Award, 2001
• Louisville Division of Fire Special Recognition Award, 1999
• Kentucky Commonwealth's Attorneys Association Outstanding Service Award, 1997
• International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators Distinguished Service to Law Enforcement Award, 1997
• Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney Excellence Award, 1995
Work Highlights
Lead Trial Counsel Defending Top 10 NCAA Division One Football Coach and the University’s Athletic Association
The Coach and Athletic Association were sued by a former student-athlete who alleged improprieties in the granting of football scholarships. A decision against the Athletic Association and the Coach would have affected recruiting of college athletes at every level. Trial in this matter lasted two weeks with well-known experts from various college football programs testifying for each side. The jury returned a unanimous defense verdict on all counts and awarded no damages.
Related Practices: Sports Law, Business Litigation, Appellate
Ending a Derivative Action by a Merger and Dissenter Rights
When a small minority of the shareholders prevailed in derivative action, SKO was brought in to advise the majority owners. A merger transaction both ended the derivative action by depriving the minority of standing and provided a means of redeeming their shares so similar suits may not be brought in the future. The minority shareholders initiated a dissenter rights action, which was resolved on a valuation favorable to our client.
Related Practices: Business Owner Disputes, Business Litigation
Neighborhood Nuisance & Trespass Claims
Defended claims for nuisance, trespass, negligence and strict liability by multiple property owners against the local electric utility. Successfully defeated class certification.
Related Practices: Environmental Litigation, Business Litigation
Wrongful Termination
SKO represented a university that terminated one of its police officers after two episodes of misconduct that were detected through intradepartmental procedures. The employee appealed the termination through an internal appeal process, which concluded in a four-day de novo hearing before a neutral Hearing Officer from the Kentucky Attorney General’s office. The internal appeal was unsuccessful, and the employee appealed to Jefferson Circuit Court, arguing that the Hearing Officer’s recommendations were arbitrary and capricious and that the employee had been deprived of the procedural protections found within KRS 15.520, aka the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights. In response, the university explained that the Hearing Officer’s recommendations were well supported, that KRS 15.520 was only applicable when officer discipline was premised on a citizen complaint (and thus not applicable in an intradepartmental matter), and that even if the procedural protections of KRS 15.520 applied, any prejudice was cured through the four-day de novo hearing that the employee had been afforded internally. After the Circuit Court agreed with the university’s points and upheld the Hearing Officer, the employee appealed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, where the same arguments were made. The Court of Appeals issued a 31-page opinion affirming the trial court on all points. The employee filed a motion for discretionary review which is currently pending. The case is a very meaningful one in the law enforcement community, particularly among non-unionized officers. Also, in reaching its decision, the Court of Appeals ruled as a matter of first impression that the university’s internal pre-hearing processes were constitutional.
Related Practices: Sports Law, Business Litigation, Appellate
Sexual Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment & Damage to Professional Reputation
SKO represented a university, a university dean and a department chair against allegations of sexual discrimination, hostile work environment and damage to professional reputation. During the long and strongly contested discovery process, SKO moved for summary judgment with respect to claims against the dean and the chair, and the motions were fully briefed and argued. At the conclusion of discovery, SKO moved for summary judgment on behalf of the university. The court granted summary judgment as to all defendants on all counts and dismissed the case.
Related Practices: Sports Law, Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits
Motor Vehicle Accident: Alleged Negligent Maintenance of Street Light
Obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict on behalf of a public utility. The plaintiff claimed that the utility failed to properly maintain a street light, which caused a motor vehicle accident. This is the first and only case of its kind to be tried to a jury in Kentucky, subsequent to decision by Kentucky Supreme Court allowing such causes of action.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy, Tort, Trial & Insurance Services
News
118 SKO Attorneys Named to “2023 U.S. News Best Lawyers® in America”, Aug. 18, 2022
SKO Attorneys Selected to 2022 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Jan. 6, 2022
77 STOLL KEENON OGDEN ATTORNEYS HONORED IN “BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA” 2022 Edition, Aug. 19, 2021
KENTUCKY SUPER LAWYERS RECOGNIZES 39 STOLL KEENON OGDEN ATTORNEYS, Dec. 11, 2020
73 Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC attorneys are recognized in the 2021 edition of the Best Lawyers in America®, one of the most respected legal peer-review guides in the world., Aug. 20, 2020
COVID-19’s Impact on Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Kentucky and Indiana, Apr. 17, 2020
One Of My Employees Has Tested Positive For COVID-19. What Now?, Apr. 16, 2020
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 47 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 27, 2019
SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2020 Best Lawyers in America®, Aug. 15, 2019
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 52 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Dec. 11, 2018
SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2019 Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 15, 2018
SKO’s Dilger Re-elected Chairman of KREF Board, Sep. 29, 2017
SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 16, 2017
Five SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 18, 2016
Best Lawyers in America Chooses 61 SKO Attorneys for 2017 Publication, Aug. 30, 2016
30 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 2, 2016
Lea Pauley Goff and Richard G. Griffith named among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 30, 2015
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2016, Aug. 17, 2015
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 57 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 24, 2014
Craig Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Sep. 22, 2014
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2015, Aug. 18, 2014
Kentucky Registry of Election Finance Launches Redesigned Website, July 28, 2014
33 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 25, 2014
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 42 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 26, 2013
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2014, Aug. 19, 2013
34 SKO Attorneys Names “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 5, 2013
Craig Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Dec. 3, 2012
61 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2013, Sep. 7, 2012
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 31 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, July 20, 2012
53 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2012, Sep. 6, 2011
SKO Named Kentucky Antitrust Firm of the Year, Jan. 31, 2011
Craig C. Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Nov. 22, 2010
Craig Dilger Re-elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Oct. 15, 2009
Craig Dilger Elected as Chairman of Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Dec. 15, 2007
Publications
U.S. Supreme Court Rules Title VII Prohibits Discrimination Against LGBT Employees, June 17, 2020
Re-opening Kentucky and Indiana’s Economies: A Summary, Apr. 29, 2020
New Department of Labor FAQs Provide More Clarity on Upcoming Paid Leave Requirements, Apr. 1, 2020
Kentucky and Indiana Unemployment Insurance Information and Resource, Mar. 26, 2020
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Signed Into Law, Mar. 19, 2020
Sixth Circuit Holds: Contract Provision Shortening Title VII Statutory Limitations Period is Unenforceable, Nov. 6, 2019
Misclassification of Workers as Independent Contractors Not a Violation of Federal Labor Law, Sep. 16, 2019
Employees May Take FMLA Leave For Medical Parent/Teacher Conferences, Sep. 11, 2019
NLRB Overrules Precedent: Property Owners May Exclude Off-Duty Contractor Employees From Premises, Sep. 4, 2019
Federal Appeals Court Finds the EEOC’s Criminal Background Check Guidance Unenforceable, Aug. 12, 2019
Kentucky Court of Appeals: Non-Lawyers May No Longer Represent Employers During Unemployment Proceedings, May 1, 2019
Kentucky Clarifies Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Apr. 17, 2019
Senate Bill 7 Restores Kentucky’s Approval of Employment Arbitration Agreements, Mar. 15, 2019
Kentucky Employers Can’t Enforce Arbitration Agreements Required for Employment, Oct. 18, 2018
New NLRB rulemaking may change the joint-employer standard, Oct. 4, 2018
In Landmark Decision, U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Union Fees, July 19, 2018
Five Reasons to Contact Your Labor and Employment Lawyer Now, Jan. 11, 2018
The Loan Zone: Curing Late Payments on Loans From Qualified Employer Retirement Plans, Nov. 29, 2017
Seminars
Preparing for What May Come Next Continuing Legal Education Seminar, "SKO U" CLE, Presenter, 2020
Preparing for and Testifying In a Suppression Hearing, Law Enforcement Trial Training Program, instructor, 1999-2000
Officer's Pre-trial Preparation - Finishing the Investigation, Law Enforcement Trial Training and Case Preparation Course, instructor, 1998-1999
Affiliations
• American Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Louisville Bar Association
• National Association of College and University Attorneys
• Bingham Fellow, 2012
• Bellarmine University, Rubel School of Business, Board of Advisors
• Bellarmine University Board of Overseers, Executive Committee
• Saint Joseph’s Orphanage Group, Board Member
• Leadership Louisville, Graduate, 2009
• Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Vice-Chair 2005-2007, Chairman 2007-2020
• Holy Spirit Parish Council, Immediate Past President
• Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, Selection Committee
• Operation Sober Program, Speaker and Facilitator
• Bellarmine University Mock Trial Program, Judge and Team Trial Consultant
• St. Xavier High School Mock Trial Team, Coach
• Jefferson County Republican Party Executive Committee, Past Chairman Legal Advisory Committee
• Jefferson County Teen Court, Prosecutorial Coordinator and Director of Training
