M. Evan Buckley

Biography

Evan represents a variety of clients in business and regulatory matters and delivers a strategic approach to ensuring compliance, developing agreements, and addressing disputes. He often handles complex matters in highly-regulated industries—utilities, railroads, alcohol, gaming—and he has significant experience representing individuals and businesses before federal, state, and local administrative agencies and courts. Having served as a registered lobbyist, Evan strives to provide solutions-driven, responsive representation.

A substantial part of Evan’s practice has been dedicated to the public utility field—he regularly provides assistance to electric, water, natural gas, solar, telecommunications, and related utilities and businesses, including statewide organizations, before the Kentucky Public Service Commission and in other contexts. 

Evan served as interim General Counsel for R. J. Corman Railroad Group, a Kentucky-based organization employing 1200-plus people in 20-plus states and operating 18 short line railroads with a combined total of more than 1,300 miles of track.

In the alcohol sector, Evan regularly provides licensing assistance, regulatory guidance, and corporate counsel to new and established breweries, wineries, and distilleries, as well as various retailers and alcohol brand owners.

In addition, Evan has served as counsel to non-profit charitable gaming licensees and their leadership in both administrative and related criminal matters, as well as advised for-profit entities dealing with litigation, regulatory compliance, and government affairs issues connected to historic horse racing, advanced deposit wagering, games of skill, and similar areas.

Within the construction industry, Evan often assists in the drafting and negotiation of complex engineering, procurement, construction and installation agreements involving projects such as off-shore windfarms, hazardous waste incinerators, and high-voltage transmission infrastructure. He likewise handles simple contracts and document preparation for all manner of clients.

Originally from Villa Hills, just south of Cincinnati, Evan now lives with his wife, Allison, and their kids in Lexington, Kentucky.

Education

  • University of Kentucky College of Law  (J.D., 2010)
    • Kentucky Law Journal
    • Moot Court Board
    • Honor Council
    • Thomas P. Bell Law Scholarship
    • James & Mary Lassiter Fellowship
    • International Trade Law CALI Award
  • University of Louisville  (B.S., 2007)
    • Political Science
    • National Merit Scholar
    • McConnell Scholar
    • Harlan Scholar

Bar Admissions

  • Kentucky

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

Affiliations/Memberships

Kentucky Bar Association

Fayette County Bar Association

Leadership Lexington, 2016-2017

LFUCG Ethics Commission (2015-2023), vice chairman (2019-2023)

Distinctions

  • Kentucky Rising Stars® 
  • Best Lawyers®
    • "Ones to Watch" in Lexington for Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2023-2024)