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Practices

Biography

Joel is involved in a full range of equine legal services; syndicate, co-ownership, partnership, pinhooking, and limited liability company agreements, equine lending documentation, purchase and sale agreements, private and public placements, administrative hearings and appeals, gaming regulatory matters, tax and estate planning, and litigation. He is knowledgeable in racing legislation and horse showing (USEF/FEI) regulation in the United States and is actively working with horsemen throughout the country to attend the needs of breeders, owners, and trainers. His knowledge of the horse industry allows him to handle legal matters within the industry efficiently and successfully.

Joel and his wife currently live on a small Thoroughbred farm in Prospect, Kentucky where he retrains retired race horses for other purposes.

Other Info About Joel

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Purchase/sale of race horses valued in excess of $150 million, including Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Dubai World Cup, and Breeders’ Cup Winners, Eclipse Award Champions, and show horses in excess of $2.5 million

Passage of Florida HB 1427 to regulate deceptive practices in horse sales(2007/2008)

Preparation of multiple clients for Congressional Hearing in Washington, D.C. regarding the state of Thoroughbred horseracing and the welfare of the Thoroughbred (October 10, 2008)

Representation of USET members/candidates for U.S. Olympic Games and Pan American Games Teams

Two favorable State Supreme Court decisions for equine clients

Licensed Thoroughbred Owner/Trainer

Adjunct Professor 2005-2008 – University of Louisville Equine Administration Program

Instructor – Stewards Accreditation Program; Oak Tree/Santa Anita; ROAP/University of Louisville (2009) and the ARCI Annual Drug Testing and Quality Assurance Program

Speaker – TOBA, New Owners Seminar (2003-2005)

Education

Law School

Golden Gate University School of Law, J.D., 1984, cum laude
Associate Editor, Golden Gate University Law Review, 1983-1984

Undergraduate School

University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 1976, English, cum laude
Chauncey Whetmore Wells Award Recipient (Best Senior Thesis in UC English Department)
IRA Championship, Varsity Crew, 1976

Bar Memberships

Joel is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky, 1984

Courts

Joel is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

U.S. Supreme Court

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

American College of Equine Attorneys, President

University of Kentucky National Equine Law Conference, Chairman 2006 – 2009

KBA Equine Law Section, Chairman, 2001- 2003

Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners, former President

Thoroughbred Club of America, KTA and TOBA, Member

American Horse Council, Tax Bulletin Advisory, Committee Member

Presentations

Joel was invited to speak at the following events:

IMGL/ARCI Emerging Racing Regulatory Issues Semi-Annual Meeting, Panelist-Medication Issues (December 2017)

Major Publications

Joel is an author or contributor to the following publications:

“Horse Owners Ability to Utilize a Section 179 Deduction Against Income from Multiple Active Trades or Businesses,” American Horse Council Tax Bulletin, January 2018

“Congress Extends Favorable Tax Depreciation Rules For Race Horse Owners,” American Horse Council Tax Bulletin, September 2016

“New Racing Economics Show Inadequacies of 1978 Interstate Horse Racing Act,” Thoroughbred Racing Commentary, February 2015

“Asset Protection Planning for Your Horse Operation,” KHC/KENA, November 2011

“Top Ten Recommendations for Prepurchase Veterinary Exams,” Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) / KentuckyHorse.org; ProfitableHorseman.com, May 2011