Robert E. Maclin III

Partner
blank image Robert E. Maclin III

Robert E. Maclin III

Partner
Lexington T: 859.514.8700 F: 859.514.8719
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Robert E. Maclin III

Robert E. Maclin III

PARTNER
rmaclin@whitefordlaw.com
LEXINGTON
T: 859.514.8700
F: 859.514.8719
Biography
BIOGRAPHY
A leading litigator with over 30 years of experience, Mr. Maclin's practice focuses on insurance litigation and defense; commercial and banking matters, transactions, and litigation; construction law; agricultural law; equine litigation and transactions; and trust and estate litigation. He regularly appears in state and federal courts on behalf of his clients and has brought numerous cases to favorable verdicts and judgments. His long list of notable cases demonstrates his ability to succeed in even the most challenging matters.
 
Mr. Maclin tries cases before judges, juries, and arbitrators and has appeared before state courts such as the Kentucky Court of Appeals, the Kentucky Supreme Court, the Montana Supreme Court, and the state courts of Texas, in addition to numerous federal district and appellate courts. His broad range of legal experience and strong knowledge of legal systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and other states, including Texas, allows him to assist his clients wherever they are.
 

Recognitions

  • Kentucky Super Lawyers®, 2013-2026 (General Litigation)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2020, 2024-2026 (Litigation - Banking & Finance)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2013-2026 (Litigation - Trusts and Estates)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2021, 2024-2026 (Litigation - Insurance)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2025-2026 (Insurance Law)
  • A. M. Best Client Recommended, 2018 
  • AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Member: Kentucky Bar Association
  • Member: State Bar of Texas
  • Member: American Bar Association, Business Law Section
  • Member: Fayette County Bar Association, Business Law Section
  • Member: American Quarter Horse Association
  • Member: Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association
  • Member: United States Polo Association
  • Represents and advises individuals and businesses in litigation, personal, and business matters.
  • Represents and advises individuals, businesses, and government agencies in a wide range of administrative hearings.
  • Secured summary judgment in Fayette County, upheld before Kentucky Court of Appeals for racetracks on the legality of Historical Horse Racing wagering machines.
  • Secured a judgment in Fayette County for in excess of $100 million against the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association on behalf of tobacco farmers.
  • Secured summary judgment for a trucking company in a case where a pedestrian climbed under a semi-trailer, stopped at a red light and was subsequently run over. The demand was for $3 million.
  • Recovered in excess of a million dollars diverted from an estate.
  • Served as outside counsel for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
 

Notable Cases

  • T & J Land Co., LLC v. Miller (Kentucky Supreme Court 2024).
  • Kirby v. Keeneland Ass'n, Inc. Kentucky Court of Appeals 2023)
  • Quest Energy Corp., et al. v. Ray Slone, et al. (Kentucky Court of Appeals 2025)
  • Bituminous Casualty Corporation v. J&L Lumber Company, Inc. (U.S. District Court of the Western District of Kentucky 2002)
  • Bituminous Casualty Corporation v. Maxxim Rebuild Company, Inc., Hazard Services, Inc. and Bradly Combs (U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky 2004)
  • Cheatham v. Paisano Publications, Inc. (U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky 1995)
  • Christopher Park v. Coleman Oil, Inc. (Kentucky Court of Appeals 2003)
  • Coleman v. Rust-Oleum Corporation (U.S. District Court of the Western District of Kentucky 2005)
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Pinnacle, Inc. (Franklin Circuit Court 2012)
  • Curtis D. Congleton, Jr., et al. v. Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association, et al (Fayette Circuit Court, Civil Action 2007)
  • Dolan v. Land (Kentucky Supreme Court 1984)
  • Estate of Hale v. United States of America (Kentucky Supreme Court 1989)
  • Estate of Michael v. Glacier General Assurance Company (Montana Supreme Court 1994)
  • Kea-Ham Contracting, Inc v. Floyd Court Development Authority, et al. (Kentucky Court of Appeals 2006)
  • Kentucky Association of Counties All Lines Fund Trust v. Kenton County, Kentucky, et al (Kenton Circuit Court 2003)
  • Kentucky Association of Counties All Lines Fund Trust v. McClendon (Kentucky Supreme Court 2005)
  • LFUCG ex rel. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board V. Elkhorn Bend, LLC, et al (Fayette Circuit Court, Seventh District 2008)
  • Northfield Insurance Company, et al. v. Franklin County, Kentucky, et al (United States District Court 2003)
  • Old Republic Insurance Co. v. Underwriters Safety & Claims, Inc. & Louisville/Jefferson Co. Metro Government, Civil Action (U.S. District of the Western District of Kentucky 2007)
  • Prather Drilling & Producing Company; Sara M. Callaham v. Michael S. Walker (Kentucky Court of Appeals 2011)
  • Robert H. Hall v. Robert A. Lundy and Michael Louis (Fayette Circuit Court 2008)
INSIGHTS

Automobile Insurance Law in Kentucky, Second Edition, University of Kentucky Office of Continuing Legal Education, February 17, 2015

Win, Place, Show: Who Comes First in Equine Liens?, Equidaily Racing Journal, January 2015

Win, Place, Show: Who Comes First in Equine Liens?, Business Lexington, October 2014

Effectiveness of Burley Tobacco Poundage Quotas in Kentucky Production and Supply, Tobacco International, Vol. 182, No. 13, pg. 85-88, 1979

Burley Tobacco Costs, Now and Next Year, Progressive Farmer, December 1980, 1980

Effectiveness of Burley Tobacco Poundage Quotas in Kentucky Production and Supply, Tobacco Science, Vol. XXIV: pg. 73-76, 1979

December 19, 2025 - Honors & Awards

33 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford is pleased to announce that 33 of our attorneys are listed among the 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York and Virginia. The individual attorneys listed and their areas of recognition are below (*newly recognized in 2026):
August 21, 2025 - News

83 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2026

83 lawyers from Whiteford have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Virginia and Washington, DC offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.
May 2, 2025 - News

Whiteford Welcomes Prominent Kentucky Litigator Robert Maclin

Whiteford announced today that Robert E. Maclin, III has joined the firm as a Partner in its Lexington, Kentucky, office. Rob has over 30 years of practice throughout the Commonwealth and nationally, and is widely recognized as a leading Kentucky lawyer.