Laura Landenwich
With a passion for social justice and civil rights, Laura Landenwich has built a reputation as a tenacious advocate in both Kentucky and Indiana, representing clients who have been the victims of bigotry, ignorance, and the abuse of power. Her civil rights work includes employment discrimination and sexual harassment, police misconduct, inmate rights, and other constitutional claims. Her commitment to a critical and creative approach to her legal practice has earned numerous successes in and out of the courtroom.
Laura argued Kentucky’s marriage equality cases at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2014, which later led to the landmark Supreme Court opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges. Among her recent notable cases, in January 2023, Laura obtained a jury verdict on behalf of a woman who was sexually assaulted in a Kentucky hotel. Sainato v. Marriott. She successfully represented A disabled inmate who spent several days in an Indiana jail without bedding, access to a toilet or sink, or medical care. Jones v. Millspaugh (2021). Laura also represented the family of an Indiana man arrested on a misdemeanor charge who died in a county jail after his complaints of chest pain were repeatedly ignored. Sweet v. Noel (2020). She vindicated the First Amendment rights of a state employee who was fired after participating in teachers’ protests at the Kentucky Capitol in Cooke v. Bevin (2019). She defended Planned Parenthood from penalties imposed by a Kentucky governor in an effort to restrict access to reproductive healthcare in Cabinet v. Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky (2019). Along with the ACLU of Kentucky, she represented Kentucky couples who were denied marriage licenses by a county clerk following the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision in Miller v. Davis (2017).
When she’s not in the courtroom, Laura can often be found enjoying music, mentoring aspiring lawyers, and advocating for social justice.
Notable Decisions
Miller v. Caudill, 936 F.3d 442 (6th Cir. 2019)
Gentry v. Floyd County, 313 F.R.D. 72 (S.D. Ind. 2016)
Miller v. Kim Davis, et al, 123 F. Supp.3d 924 (E.D.Ky. 2015)
Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S.Ct. 2584 (2015)
Love v. Beshear, 989 F. Supp. 2d 536 (W.D. Ky. 2014)
Bourke v. Beshear, 996 F. Supp. 2d 542 (W.D. Ky. 2014)
Benjamin v. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, 305 S.W.3d 446 (Ky. App. 2010)
Verdicts and Settlements
Sainato v. Marriott Int’l, Inc., et al. In 2023, Laura Landenwich and Garry Adams obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $1.17 million on behalf of their client, who was raped while on a business trip. Ms. Sainato’s harrowing story was the subject of an award-winning podcast, Dig: Prosecution Declined.
Towhidlou v. McDonough, et al. An Iranian-American employed by the Veterans Administration was summarily fired following anti-Iranian tweets by former President Trump and the assassination of a high-ranking Iranian General. In 2023, the VA agreed to rescind its designation of the plaintiff as an insider threat and pay $100,000 in compensation.
Johnson v. Staffen Builders, LLC, et al. A Kentucky family purchased property with a concealed leaking septic system. Following a lawsuit, the seller’s insurance company paid the family $300,000 in 2022.
Jones v. Millspaugh, et al. A disabled inmate spent several days in the Clark County, Indiana Jail without bedding, access to a toilet or sink, or medical care. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana denied the Clark County Sheriff’s motion for summary judgment, and the county agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve the claims against it in 2021.
Gentry v. Floyd County, Indiana, et. al. Laura represented a class of pre-trial detainees who were subjected by Floyd County Jail to a practice known as “stripping out.” The Plaintiffs alleged that their clothing was forcibly removed by jail staff, often in conjunction with tasers and pepper spray, and were held without clothing or blankets in a padded cell for hours at a time. In April 2016, the class was certified by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision. On August 2, 2017 the Court approved a final settlement in the amount of $1.23 million.
Ledford v. Eye Mart Family Vision Care, et. al. In October, 2012, Laura represented the defendant Eye Mart in this case in which the Plaintiff alleged a sexually hostile work environment. The Defendant counterclaimed for funds the Plaintiff embezzled from the business while working as its office manager. The jury gave the Plaintiff nothing on her claims, and instead awarded $890,001 to Eye Mart.
Recognition
Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers Rising Stars
Louisville Bar Association Section of the Year, Human Rights Chair
Louisville Metro Council Certificate of Merit for commitment to the fight for civil rights
Fairness Campaign Champion of Fairness Award
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Dr. James R. Ramsey LGBT Leadership Award
Top Lawyer, Louisville Magazine
In the Media
Senator Drops Plan to Let KY Juvenile Justice Agency Reveal Youths’ Private Info
Will SCOTUS Overturn Obergefell?
Former Bullitt County court official accused of 'misappropriating' funds for years
$1.2 million verdict against man accused of rape brings 'some solace,' five years later
Jeffersontown Fire Department leaders accused of sexual harassment, retaliation