Sheila Hiestand

As a college basketball player who started in two final four appearances, Sheila knows the importance of hard work, drive and heart. Sheila—aka “The Lady Litigator” for her tenacity in court—is dedicated to helping women and their families through the very difficult process of personal injury claims. She has served as the president of the Kentucky trial lawyers with the Kentucky Justice Association and has worked tirelessly to fight for injured people for more than 20 years. This includes several trials with extraordinary results for her clients, such as a 2013 auto accident case where she earned a $743,000 verdict. The jury returned the unanimous verdict in favor of the client, assessing damages for medical care and expenses, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent injury. After graduating from Centre College, Sheila received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky School of Law. Soon after she was recognized as the Fayette County Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer and was rated an “AV Lawyer” by Martindale-Hubbell®. She has also been recognized among the American Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Kentucky; as Top Lawyer by Louisville Magazine, and has received a long list of awards. Bio PicWhen not practicing law, Sheila enjoys spending time with her three children and husband and loves to compete in triathlons and Ironman competitions. She plays viola, violin, cello and piano and is a past member of the Lexington Singers. Sheila is also fluent in Spanish and has volunteered at the Federal Correctional Institute to assist Spanish-speaking inmates with legal matters pro bono.

University of Kentucky College of Law

J.D. (1993) | Law

1990 - 1993

Honors: Rouse Scholarship for Outstanding Third Year Law Student

Centre College

B.A. (1990) | English/Spanish

1986 - 1990

Honors: WIAC Oustanding Female Athlete Entering Law School; Rouse Scholarship to University of Kentucky College of Law; Centre College Trustee Scholar; Athletic Hall of Fame

Activities: Captain of Centre College Women's Basketball with Two Final Four Appearances 1989 and 1990; Prinicipal Violist for Centre College Symphony Orchestra; Song Leader of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority; Centre Singers; SAE Sweetheart

Top 100 Litigation Lawyer in Kentucky

American Society of Legal Advocates

2016 - Current

Member

Lawyers of Distinction

2016 - Current

Nation's Top 1%

National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2015 - Current

Rated Perfect 10

AVVO

2012 - Current

Honoree

Top 100 Trial Lawyers American Trial Lawyers Association

2008 - Current

Member

Million Dollar Advocates Forum

2006 - Current

AV Rated

Martindale Hubble

2006 - Current

Past President

Kentucky Justice Association

2001 - Current

I have served as treasurer, secretary, vice president, president elect, President, and immediate past president, and have worked tirelessly with Kentucky Justice Association to make access to the courts available to all citizens of Kentucky

Top 100 Attorney Award

National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys

2013 - 2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers

National Trial Lawyers

2008 - 2016

Member

American Association for Justice

2006 - 2016

Top Lawyer

Global Directory of Who's Who

2015 - 2015

Honoree

Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers

2009 - 2011

Top Lawyer

Top Lawyers Louisville Magazine

2009 - 2009

Past President Young Lawyers Section and Member of Board of Governors

Kentucky Bar Association

2003 - 2004

Kentucky State Bar

Member

Current

Indiana

Indiana Supreme Court

Kentucky

Tennessee

Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee

• Car Accidents
• Young Lawyers