Olivia F. Amlung

Olivia F. Amlung

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Olivia F. Amlung started her legal career as an associate attorney at the firm in June 2017. With the firm, Olivia developed her general civil litigation skills primarily while representing local governmental entities and officials, as well as some private businesses and individuals. After four years with the firm, Olivia served the Commonwealth for a year as an Assistant Attorney General in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Civil and Environmental Law. While with the Attorney General’s Office, Olivia gained invaluable experience in government defense, open records, and a variety of constitutional matters. In 2022, Olivia returned to Adams Law to resume her local government practice. In her current role with Adams, Olivia is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, primarily focusing on claims involving local government defense, municipal liability, school and special education law, and a variety of other civil litigation matters. She also provides contract review and general advising services for local businesses, cities, school districts, and governmental entities.

Olivia graduated from the University of Louisville in 2013 with honors and continued her education at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, graduating in 2016. She is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the State of Ohio, along with their respective federal courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Olivia has repeatedly been named to the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars List for her excellence in defending civil litigation claims. In 2020, Olivia was named the Kentucky Defense Counsel’s Young Lawyer of the Year for significant contributions to KDC and excellence in the practice of law.

Passionate about the community’s youth, Olivia actively volunteers with multiple leadership programs focusing on the professional and personal development of local high school students. Following this passion, she often takes an active role volunteering with the Boone County Schools, the Boone County Education Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce, and various local political groups. In her spare time, Olivia can often be found attending local community events, practicing in her church’s worship band, or spending time with family and friends.

Olivia is a life-long resident of Boone County, where she currently lives with her husband, Justin, and their two dogs, Votto and Larkin.

Olivia Amlung is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. She regularly counsels and represents businesses and individuals involved in a wide range of complex litigation matters. Olivia represents clients in both state and federal court, as well as before administrative panels. Her practice areas include:

  • Appellate Advocacy
  • Business Torts and Contracts
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Actions
  • Construction / Contractor Disputes
  • Employment Law
  • Insurance Coverage / Bad Faith Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Product Liability
  • Mediation
  • Small Claims
  • Wrongful death

Olivia handles all levels of litigation from the initial filing of a lawsuit and discovery process, through motions for summary judgment, to settlement and trial. After working for a circuit court judge, Olivia understands the ins and outs of complex litigation from various perspectives of the legal system. She is experienced in both plaintiffs’ cases and defense work. Olivia works closely with her clients to provide input, guidance, and support throughout the legal process.

Olivia was named to the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars List in 2020 and 2021 for her excellence in defending civil litigation claims. In 2020, Olivia was named the Kentucky Defense Counsel’s Young Lawyer of the Year for significant contributions to KDC and excellence in the practice of law.

If you or your business is looking to build a long-term relationship with an experienced litigation attorney, contact Olivia Amlung at 859.394.6200 or by email at [email protected].

Olivia Amlung devotes a substantial portion of her practice to defending local government clients, including cities, counties, and special districts, in both state and federal court and before administrative panels. Serving as both general counsel and litigation counsel to these entities, Olivia possesses specialized knowledge regarding the needs of her government clients in day-to-day operational matters, personnel issues, and complex litigation situations.

Throughout her career, Olivia has litigated cases ranging from civil rights violations to harassment and discrimination claims, handling all levels of litigation from discovery, including extensive document review, through motions for summary judgment, to settlement, and trial. She has successfully tried cases for her clients in state court, federal court, and before administrative tribunals. In addition, Olivia is skilled in appellate work and has drafted briefs considered by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and state appellate courts.

Olivia has defended a number of police officers, public officials, and their agencies on constitutional and state law tort claims, some of which have received statewide and even national recognition. She understands the nuances specific to litigating claims against officers and agencies sued under § 1983 for excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution. In particular, she is knowledgeable and capable of asserting defenses, such as immunity at the state and federal levels, to limit and avoid exposure for government entities and their officials.

In addition to her active litigation practice, Olivia provides vital day-to-day guidance to local government entities, special districts, and their officials. Through her experience, Olivia has gleaned detailed knowledge of the statutes and regulations which impose substantive obligations on local government entities in employment matters, employee disciplinary proceedings, and in their daily operations. Olivia frequently advises governmental clients on their obligations in various areas of law including, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Kentucky and federal Civil Rights Act, the Kentucky Whistleblower Act, the Open Records Act, the Open Meetings Act, the Police Officer Bill of Rights, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. She also assists her clients with drafting Ordinances, Regulations, and Interlocal Agreements, as well as ensuring that appropriate operational policies and procedures are in place.

If you or your organization is looking to build a long-term relationship with an experienced government litigation attorney, contact Olivia Amlung at 859.394.6200 or by email at [email protected].

Because of her passion for students and experiences growing up in our fantastic local public schools, Olivia Amlung has developed a practice in representing school districts and school district employees. Olivia has experience providing legal guidance and support to Boards of Education, Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, and other staff spanning both county school districts and independent school districts.

Olivia has successfully defended school districts and school district employees in complicated litigation in all levels of the State and Federal Courts. For example, Olivia has defended claims involving the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act), Coverdell immunity, KERA (Kentucky Educational Reform Act), Civil Rights, and Title IX compliance. Furthermore, Olivia has prosecuted and defended teacher tribunals, expulsion hearings, disciplinary review hearings, and special education due process hearings.

Olivia additionally provides day-to-day advice and practical guidance. Some areas in which she offers her expertise: policy development, public procurements, contract review, laws relating to certified and classified employees, bullying laws, mandatory reporting laws, special education, tenure, open meetings and open records laws. She regularly advises and provides active support in student special education matters, including development of IEPs (individual education plans) and 504 plans.

If you or your organization is looking to build a long-term relationship with an experienced and passionate school law attorney, contact Olivia Amlung at 859.394.6200 or by email at [email protected].

Publications

“Strange Times, Unexpected Allies: What young lawyers can learn from the collaboration of plaintiffs and defense lawyers organizations dealing with COVID-19,” Author, DRI YLC’s Raising the Bar (June 2020)

“Taking a Pregnant Pause: Considering the Effect of the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act on Employers,” Co-author, Kentucky Defense Counsel’s Common Defense (Fall/Winter 2019)

“Religion and Vaccination in Schools: Evaluating the delicate balance between individual religious freedom and protection of the general welfare in public schools,” Author, DRI’s For the Defense (June 2019)

“An Explanation of Kentucky’s Persistent Felony Offender Laws and Their Consequences,” Author, Northern Kentucky Bar Association’s Lex Loci (October 2018)

“Biometrics and the Constitution: exploring how the development of technology impacts our civil liberties,” Author, Kentucky Defense Counsel’s Common Defense (Spring/Summer 2018)

Presentations

Immunization and Exemption Overview: Evaluating the legal issues faced by Kentucky Schools in the age of the anti-vaxxer movement
Date: February 21, 2020
Location/Organization: Council of School Board Associations, Louisville, KY

Vaccination Laws & Schools: Evaluating the legal issues faced by schools in the age of the anti-vaxxer movement
Date: November 2019
Location/Organization: Cincinnati Bar Association, Cincinnati, OH

Top Special Education Legal Mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Mistake #4: the IEP Development Process & Implementation Disasters
Date: October 7, 2019
Location/Organization: National Business Institute, Louisville, KY

Top Special Education Legal Mistakes (and how to avoid them) 
Mistake #5: IEP Design Mistakes
Date: October 7, 2019
Location/Organization: National Business Institute, Louisville, KY

  • University of Louisville (2013) (cum laude)
  • University of Cincinnati College of Law (2016)
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
  • State of Ohio
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Council of School Board Attorneys
  • DRI, Inc.
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc.
  • Kentucky Bar Association
  • Northern Kentucky Bar Association

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