Tyler S. Thompson

Senior Partner

Bio

Senior Partner & Consistently Rated #1 Attorney in Kentucky

Nationally Recognized Trial Attorney | President, The Inner Circle of Advocates

For more than 30 years, Tyler Smyth Thompson has been one of Kentucky’s most accomplished and respected trial lawyers. As Senior Partner at Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd, Conway & Stanton, PSC, Tyler has been ranked the #1 attorney in Kentucky by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 — one of the rarest distinctions in the legal profession. This ranking reflects Super Lawyers’ rigorous, multi-layered evaluation process combining independent research, peer nominations, and peer review to identify attorneys who exemplify true excellence.

A Proven Record of Results

Tyler has secured many multimillion-dollar verdicts for clients, including six jury verdicts over $10 million and landmark recoveries of $20.8 million, $27.3 million, and $164 million. His results are the product of intense preparation, tenacity, and a deep sense of duty to those he represents.

His practice focuses on catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, birth injury, defective products liability, and complex personal injury litigation. He is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most effective courtroom advocates.

Inner Circle of Advocates — What It Means for Clients

Tyler is the President of the Inner Circle of Advocates, one of the most exclusive and prestigious trial lawyer organizations in the United States. Described by The Washington Post as “a select group of 100 of the nation’s most celebrated trial lawyers,” the Inner Circle is an invitation-only society limited to the top plaintiff trial attorneys in the country.

Why Inner Circle Membership Matters

To be invited into the Inner Circle, an attorney must have:

A track record of exceptional trial results
Multiple multimillion-dollar verdicts
A reputation for integrity, judgment, and character
The respect of judges and leading attorneys nationwide

Members are considered the top trial lawyers in the country — trusted with the toughest, highest-stakes cases.

For clients, this means:

Access to one of the most extensive and experienced trial-lawyer networks in the country
A lawyer whose judgment, ethics, and skill are recognized at the highest national level
Leadership experience that directly translates to strategy, preparation, and courtroom performance
Confidence that their case is being handled by someone the best lawyers in America consider a leader

Professional Honors & Leadership

#1 Attorney in Kentucky, Super Lawyers (2021, 2023–2025)
President, The Inner Circle of Advocates
Past President, Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys (Kentucky Justice Association)
Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award (2003)
Invited Member, American College of Trial Lawyers (less than 1% of attorneys)
Invited Member, International Academy of Trial Attorneys (limited to 500 worldwide)
“Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers® (2011, 2013, 2019, 2024, 2026)
AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Community & Board Service

Tyler currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Berea College and as a Trustee of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, along with involvement in numerous educational, cultural, and community organizations. His leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to discipline, integrity, and service — values that guide his work inside and outside the courtroom.

Respected by Peers. Trusted by Clients. Proven in Court.

From landmark verdicts to national leadership roles, Tyler S. Thompson has earned his place among America’s most celebrated trial lawyers. His career is defined by preparation, skill, and an unwavering pursuit of justice for individuals and families facing the most serious injuries and losses.

Honors & Awards

Inner Circle of Advocates, Invited Member, 2007 – Present
Inner Circle of Advocates, President 2025 – Present
Best Lawyers in America, 2007 – Present
Best Lawyers’ Louisville Personal Injury Litigator of the Year 2011, 2013, 2019, 2024, 2026
Selected to Super Lawyers, 2007 – Present
Peter Perlman Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, presented by the Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, 2003
#1 Attorney in Kentucky, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Top 10 Attorneys in Kentucky, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2008, 2010 – 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020 – Present
Top 50 Attorneys in Kentucky, Super Lawyers, 2007 – Present
American College of Trial Lawyers 2007 – Present
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, invited member, 2007 – Present
Louisville Top Lawyers, Best Lawyers by Their Peers, 2007
AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Top 100 Verdicts of 2002, presented by the National Law Journal
Top 50 Verdicts of 2024, presented by the National Law Journal
First Place, Pirtle-Washer Moot Court Brief Writing Competition, Brandeis School of Law, 1986
Litigation Counsel of America, Invited Fellow, 2013

Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

Kentucky
U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
West Virginia, 2008

Education

University of Louisville School of Law, Louisville, Kentucky
- J.D. – 1986
Berea College, Berea, Kentucky
- B.A. – 1983
- Major: History

Professional Associations & Memberships

Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, 2005 – 2006
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, President, 2005
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, President-Elect, 2004
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Vice President, 2003
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Member, Board of Directors, 1989 – 2003
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Member, Seminar Committee, 1996 – Present
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Member, Legislative Committee, 2001 – Present
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Chairman, CLE Committee, 1999 – 2001
Berea College – Board of Trustees, Investment Committee, Audit Committee, Educational Policies Committee
Kentucky Family Safety Foundation, Director
Kentucky Attorneys Political Action Trust, Director
People’s Bank, Lee County, VA, Director/Corporate President
Legal Aid Society
American Heart Association
Brain Injury Association of Kentucky
Kentucky Waterways Alliance
Trout Unlimited, Lifetime Member
Spalding University, Athletic Council Member
Louisville Bar Association, KLRS Advisory Committee, 1995 – 2002
Kentucky Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Association for Justice, Birth Trauma Litigation Group, Medical Negligence and Products Liability
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
The Trial Law Institute, Member, 2013
Diversity Law Institute, Member, 2013
The National Trial Lawyers
International Academy of Trial Lawyers
American Board of Trial Advocates
American Bar Foundation
Kentucky Justice Association

Past Employment Positions

Frederick C. Dolt & Associates, PSC, Staff Attorney, 1986 – 1988

Classes/Seminars Taught by Tyler Thompson

“How Do I Prepare My Cases” Kentucky Justice Association, Boot Camp – So You Want a Plaintiff’ Practice, May 10, 2019, Louisville, Kentucky
“Anatomy of a Cross Examination” Kentucky Justice Association, Gathering of Legends and Champions, June 22, 2018, Louisville, Kentucky
“How Jurors Decide – The Myth and the Science” Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Seminar of the Stars, April 6, 2018, Trumbell, Connecticut
“Maximizing Damages at Trial” Kentucky Justice Association, Legends Seminar, June 30, 2017, Louisville, Kentucky
Savannah Georgia Medical Conference, November 16, 2016, Savannah, Georgia
“What Do You Know About Experts, Part II” Kentucky Justice Association, May the Force Be with You, April 15, 2016, Louisville, Kentucky
“Preparation of Plaintiff’s Expert Witnesses”, Kentucky Justice Association Webinar, July 10, 2014
“My Favorite Rule 26.02(b)(4), Retaining and Preparing Your Expert Witnesses for 26.02(b)(4) Discovery”, Kentucky Justice Association, Favorite Rules, June 27, 2014, Lexington, Kentucky
“Preparation of Plaintiff’s Expert Witnesses”, Kentucky Justice Association, Mastering the Deposition, May 10, 2013, Louisville, Kentucky
“Identifying Products Liability Issues in Your Motor Vehicle Cases” Kentucky Justice Association, Strategic Solutions for Attorneys Who Do It All, April 12, 2013, Horseshoe Casino, Elizabeth, Indiana
“Closing Argument” Fayette County Bar Association, March 22, 2012, Lexington, Kentucky
“Comparative Cross Examination: To Compare and Contrast Is To Learn” Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention, June 15-17, 2011, Lexington, Kentucky
“Trial Strategies in Medical Negligence Cases” Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association November 5, 2010, Rogers, Arkansas
“Closing Argument – Plaintiff” Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention June 16-18, 2010, Lexington, Kentucky
“Winning Trial Strategies in Medical Negligence Cases” Southern Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention February 10-13, 2010, New Orleans, Louisiana
“Medical Device Litigation Discovery Practices” from John King Litigation (Confidential Settlement), Inner Circle of Advocates 38^th Annual Meeting, August 1-5, 2009, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“Opening Statements in Million Dollar Cases” Fayette County (KY) Bar Association June 24, 2009, Lexington, Kentucky
“Lessons from the Arena” Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention February 18-20, 2009, New Orleans, Louisiana
“The Best Case I Ever Lost” Indiana Trial Lawyers October 3, 2008, Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, Elizabeth, Indiana
“John King Litigation: Hospital Corporate Liability for Negligently Credentialing and Privileging” Inner Circle of Advocates 37^th Annual Meeting, August 23-27, 2008, Beverly Hills, California
Trial Advocacy College, Mentor, Kentucky Justice Association, May 17-21, 2008, University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky
“Plaintiff Closing Arguments” Kentucky Justice Association, Advanced Trial Skills, May 16, 2008, Louisville, Kentucky and May 30, 2008 Lexington, Kentucky
“Current Trial Strategy” Kentucky Justice Association, Annual Convention, September 28, 2007, Lexington, Kentucky
“Effective Use of Focus Groups in Trial Preparation” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Trial Tactics from Trial Masters, May 20, 2005, Lexington, Kentucky
“Proof of Economic Damages in the Car Wreck Case” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Nuts and Bolts of Trying A Car Wreck Case, May 13, 2005, Hebron, Kentucky
“Proof of Economic Damages in the Car Wreck Case” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Nuts and Bolts of Trying A Car Wreck Case, April 29, 2005, Louisville, Kentucky
“Using Experts to Maximize Damages” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys Auto Litigation Seminar, June 18, 2004, Louisville, Kentucky
“Proving Pain and Suffering and Punitive Damages” Northern Kentucky Bar Association, December 16, 2003, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Why Amending Section 54 of the Kentucky Constitution Will Have No Effect on Physicians Premiums” Louisville Bar Association Healthcare Consortium Seminar, December 8, 2003, Louisville, Kentucky
“Retaining and Preparing Expert Witnesses for Deposition and Trial” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Teleconference, November 20, 2003, Louisville, Kentucky
Tort Reform–How it Harms Children, Stay at Home Mom’s and Senior Citizens, Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, November 6, 2003, Frankfort, Kentucky
Trial Demonstration (Voir Dire), Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, September 13, 2003, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
“Decisions 2001—Torts Law Update, Medical Negligence” Kentucky Bar Association, February 21, 2001, Louisville, Kentucky
“Federal Causes of Action and Procedure—Basics of Federal Tort Claims Act Cases” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, May 31 2002, Lexington, Kentucky
“Trial of a Medical Negligence Case” (Voir Dire), Kentucky Bar Association, Annual Convention, June, 2002, Covington, Kentucky
“Medical Negligence in Kentucky–An Overview” Banking and Insurance Committee, December 2002, Frankfort, Kentucky
“Why Caps on Damages Are a Bad Idea” State Government Committee, August 27, 2003, Frankfort, Kentucky
“The Use of the Human Factors Expert” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, June 6, 2003, Corbin, Kentucky
“Effective Use of a Human Factors Expert” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Annual Convention, Fighting for Justice, May 15, 2003, Covington, Kentucky
“Medicine for Trial Lawyers—Evaluating the Medical Malpractice Case -The Plaintiff’s Perspective” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, October 13, 2000, Lexington, Kentucky
“Products Liability— The Peoples Law School,” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys/Kentucky Educational Television; August 19, 2000, Louisville, Kentucky
“Trial by Jury, a Sacred Right” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Kentucky State Fair, August 16, 2000, Louisville, Kentucky
“The Use of Demonstrative Evidence at Trial,” University of Kentucky School of Law, Trial Practice Course, May, 2000.
“One Mother’s Struggle for Justice — Winston v. United States, et al.” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Annual Convention and Seminar, September 16, 1999, Lexington, Kentucky.
“Creative Ideas for Maximizing Damages for the Catastrophically Injured Plaintiff” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Annual Spring Break Seminar, April 8, 1999, Destin, Florida.
“Markers for Timing Fetal Asphyxia—An Overview” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Annual Spring Break Seminar, April 6, 1999, Destin, Florida.
“Common Problems and Uncommon Solutions” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Annual Spring Break Seminar, April 6-8, 1999, Destin, Florida.
“Birth Trauma Litigation – Discussion of Winston v. United States of America” University of Louisville School of Law, October 7, 1998.
“Trial Practice for Law Students — Why Trial Law?” University of Louisville School of Law, April 4, 1998.
“Trying the Wrongful Death Case in Kentucky — Strategies in Preparation and Valuation” National Business Institute, December 11, 1997.
“Medical Malpractice in Kentucky” National Business Institute, September 18, 1996.
“Lawyers and Doctors Talk Malpractice — The Sequel: Who are the Victims of Malpractice” Louisville Bar Association, October 27, 1995.
“Trying the Automobile Injury Case in Kentucky” National Business Institute, Inc., September 21, l995.
“Trial of a High Damage Medical Negligence Case in Kentucky — Direct Examination of Plaintiff’s Expert” Louisville Bar Association, December 15, 1994.
“Bad Faith Litigation in Kentucky — The Plaintiff’s Perspective” National Business Institute, Inc., May 20, 1994.
“Kentucky Insurance Law — The Plaintiff’s Perspective” Professional Education Systems, Inc., April 10, 1994.
“Preparation and Organization of the Medical Negligence Case,” Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, July 23, 1993.

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