J. Tanner Watkins

J. Tanner Watkins is a seasoned litigator. He has vast experience representing businesses in logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, banking, and insurance. He earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Kentucky College of Law. J. Tanner Watkins excelled and won CALI Awards for Advanced Torts and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He also holds a B.A. from Centre College.

Watkins’ practice includes commercial litigation, fiduciary disputes, banking law, appellate advocacy, personal injury, product liability, and IP disputes. He represents clients in trials, injunction hearings, and appeals in state and federal courts. He focuses on strategic analysis and custom solutions. His legal strategies must align with each client’s goals. This applies to both settlement negotiations and trial advocacy.

In addition to his litigation expertise, Watkins is highly engaged in advancing the legal profession. He is a former Chair of the Kentucky Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. He led Kentucky’s 5,000 young lawyers. He co-founded the Legal Food Frenzy, an annual fundraiser benefiting the state’s food banks. His service to the profession earned him recognition as Kentucky’s Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in 2017. He serves on the Kentucky Bar Association Board of Governors. He represents Kentucky in the ABA’s House of Delegates.

Watkins greatly contributes to the Louisville community, especially in the arts and education. As a member of the Speed Art Museum’s Board of Governors, he chairs its Governance Committee. He has helped shape its strategic direction. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Kentucky College of Art and Design. He successfully chaired its $12 million capital campaign. Watkins’ commitment to the community led him to start Enrich Louisville. It’s a coalition that aims to boost access to education for all students.

Watkins’s work shows his dedication to client service, the law, and society. He has excelled in both his job and community leadership.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
• Member, Kentucky Bar Association
• Board of Directors, Louisville Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Board of Directors, Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company of Kentucky

Licensed State

• Kentucky
• Tennessee

Education

• University of Kentucky College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Centre College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges