Key Schoen

A BRIEF HISTORY

Key Schoen graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky with degrees in Economics and Psychology. He received a scholarship from the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he received his Law Degree. Mr. Schoen completed additional legal training at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate School of Law at the University of Virginia.

Key Schoen’s first five years of law practice was as a Captain in U.S. Army JAG Corp. The first three years were in Germany. He was a prosecutor for a year, and then spent the next two years as a trial defense lawyer for Army soldiers. Mr. Schoen believes these two years were the most prolific and satisfying years of his practice as a trial lawyer. Key Schoen had a acquittal rate of almost 70% as a defense counsel.

After moving from Germany, Mr. Schoen spent the next two years defending the U.S. Army on Appeals in Washington D.C. Key Schoen regularly argued before the highest Courts of the U.S. Military, including oral arguments witnessed by the student body at West Point. See United States v. Ayala U.S. Court of Appeals Armed Forces, 43 M.J. 296 (1995) below.

After five years of service as a trial and appellate counsel with the U.S. Army JAG Corp, Key Schoen continued his litigation practice with private law firms in Louisville, Kentucky. During Mr. Schoen’s practice with private law firms, he handled both civil and criminal litigation. Mr. Schoen’s willingness to take an issue to trial, and if necessary, to the higher Courts of Appeals, is evident from his public record. His career highlights (below) are a mere fraction of the number of successful trials and/or appeals Key Schoen’s clients have experienced.

Over the last number of years, Mr. Schoen has devoted himself to Estate and Trust matters. Again, Mr. Schoen’s many jury trial and appellate successes in this specific area of the law are evident by public record.

In 2017, Mr. Schoen was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award as “America’s Top 100 Attorneys for Kentucky”

Career Highlights

Amos v. Clubb/ Clubb v. Amos, Oldham Circuit Court

Countersued for malicious prosecution after defending Will Contest successfully in both Circuit and Appeals Court. Mr. Schoen’s clients settled for over twice the property (and dollar value) they were originally entitled to under the probated Will. See Amos v. Clubb NO. 2007-CA-001181-MR; Amos v. Clubb NO. 2009-CA-001544-MR; and Clubb v, Amos NO. 06-CI-00806.

Bennet v. Ditto, 204 S.W. 3d 145 (KY. APP.)

Mr. Schoen represented a client who was a beneficiary of a Holographic (or handwritten) Will. After the trial Court denied recognition of the Holographic Will, Mr. Schoen appealed. The Kentucky Court of Appeals unanimously agreed with Mr. Schoen and his client. The handwritten will, in its entirety, was approved as the law of the Decedent’s estate to the benefit of Key Schoen’s client.

Goff v. Edwards, 2021-SC-0452-MR.

The Kentucky Supreme Court issued a unanimous published opinion in favor of Mr. Schoen’s clients regarding subject matter jurisdiction issues.

Richardson v. Louisville Metro, 260 S.W. 3d. 777 (KY. 2008)

Mr. Schoen represented a police officer before the Kentucky Supreme Court. The Court ruled unanimously in favor of Mr. Schoen’s client, creating seminal law that established local government’s obligation to provide legal defense to police officers sued in civil suits.

Jefferson v. Jefferson Co. Public Schools, Jefferson Circuit Court, Case No. 00-CI-0051

2004 Landmark case against Jefferson County Public Schools resulting in $4.2 million dollar jury verdict. Mr. Schoen defended schoolteacher Norma Jean Jefferson after being falsely maligned in the local media for months, and effectively forced into retirement by the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) System. This legal matter was showcased in an article “Lawyers Weekly USA” in March, 2004.

United States v. Ayala, United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 43 M.J. 296 (1995) NO. 94-0369

Mr. Schoen represented the U.S. Army before the highest Court of Military Appeals in the United States. Mr. Schoen was selected to provide oral arguments to the Court while witnessed by the student body at West Point Military Academy. The Court ruled in favor of Mr. Schoen’s client and the criminal conviction was affirmed.

Defense Counsel U.S. Army Jag Corp.

Defended U.S. Army soldiers for two years (1992 and 1993) in Court Martial proceedings in Germany. Had over 70% acquittal rate.

Areas of Practice

  • Probate Estate and Trust Administration
  • Estate and Trust Disputes/litigation
  • Estate Planning – Wills; Living Wills; Power of Attorney; Trusts

Of Counsel to the following:

Bar Admissions

  • Kentucky Supreme Court, 1990
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1995
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky, 1995
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky, 1995
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 1991
  • U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, 1991

Education/ Degrees

Center College, Danville, Kentucky

  • Bachelor of Science Degree, Psychology, 1985
  • Bachelor of Science Degree, Economics, 1985

University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky

  • Juris Doctorate Degree, 1990

Awards/ Recognition

  • 2017 Recognized for Lifetime Achievement Award as “America’s Top 100 Attorney for Kentucky”
  • Requested to, and have given, numerous seminars to Attorney audiences regarding Estate matters.
  • Admitted to Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2004
  • The Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army, 1995
  • Judge Paul M. Brosman Award, rated Highest Criminal Law Student at Judge Advocate Basic Course, 1991
  • Honor Graduate – Commandant’s List, Judge Advocate Basic Course, 1991
  • Outstanding Oral Advocate, Moot Court Competition, University of Kentucky College of Law, 1988
  • Thomas P. Bell Scholarship, University of Kentucky College of Law, 1987 – 1988
  • Recipient, various Scholarship Awards – Centre College, 1983 – 1985

Personal

Mr. Schoen was raised in a family of nine (9) children and attended Catholic schools from Kindergarten through High School. Mr. Schoen is proud of this heritage, and supports numerous Catholic schools in the Louisville area, to include:

Our Lady of Lourdes
St. Gabriel the Archangel
St. John Paul II
St. Raphael
St. Martin
Trinity High School