Values
The attorneys of Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP believe that excellence in the practice of law must be accompanied by active support of initiatives that connect our profession to the community.
The Goal Of Justice
We believe that lawyers have an important role in advancing the cause of justice, whether that means representing a single individual who could not otherwise afford a lawyer or fighting for an important constitutional principle that could affect the rights of thousands. We also believe that our profession must work to create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to become lawyers.
Justice For All Campaign
The Justice for All Campaign is the annual giving campaign of the Legal Aid Society that raises over $300,000 to support the mission of pursuing justice for people in poverty. Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP is proud to have served on the Campaign’s fundraising committee and of being a Cabinet Level sponsor of the campaign every year since 2018. We encourage all in our profession to support this important cause.
Louisville Bar Association Summer Internship Program
Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP was proud to sponsor a student participant in the law magnet program at Central High School. Our intern spent the summer working at the Public Defender’s Office in Louisville. We look forward to sponsoring another Central High School student who will work in our offices this coming summer.
Western District Of Kentucky Pro Bono Assistance Program
In 2018, the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky implemented a new pro bono program designed to address the court’s growing need to provide counsel for indigent litigants in certain civil cases. Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP attorneys have offered their assistance to present indigent clients in civil cases. More information on this important program can be found here.
Transparency In Government
Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP considers it a priority to provide quality representation to individuals and media organizations who share our opinion that transparency in government and unfettered free speech rights are critical to the proper functioning of our democracy.
The firm’s attorneys pride themselves on working alongside journalists to help them produce — and defend — important and groundbreaking work.
We operate a statewide hotline for Kentucky Press Association (KPA) members to obtain legal advice on a wide range of issues arising in modern journalistic practice. We also serve as counsel to the KPA’s legal defense fund to vigorously represent members who find themselves in litigation.
The firm has recently assisted the Courier-Journal in gaining access to Louisville’s proposal for an Amazon headquarters.
Several of our attorneys are also currently assisting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), on a pro bono basis, in its challenge to the Governor’s decision to block certain citizens from accessing his social media accounts.
Defense Of Constitutional Rights
Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP attorneys devoted hundreds of hours on behalf of Planned Parenthood defending the constitution in a challenge to a requirement that abortion clinics have transfer agreements with hospitals. Their challenge to the statute was successful.