William M. Lear Jr.

Bill has been with Stoll Keenon Ogden since 1980 and serves as Chair Emeritus from his office in Lexington. He was the Managing Director for 22 years and Chairman of the Board for four years. His leadership and many achievements over the course of his decades-long tenure at SKO are at the foundation of the firm’s Legal Horsepower™.

Bill’s legal career has included public service as a prosecuting attorney and as Commissioner of Law for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, in addition to nearly 45 years in private practice. At Stoll Keenon Ogden, his practice has included litigation, planning and zoning, economic development incentives, and equine law.

Bill Lear is a former 5-term state representative. During his tenure in the General Assembly, he successfully sponsored legislation on a wide range of subjects, including economic development, land use, public safety, government ethics, and the justice system. He was Chairman of the House Economic Development Committee and the Commerce and Economic Development Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Since leaving the legislature, he has regularly served as legislative counsel for SKO clients, providing advice concerning pending and proposed legislation, drafting bills and amendments, and testifying before Senate and House Committees.

Bill is a former Board Chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, and has been inducted into the Kentucky Economic Development Hall of Fame, the University of Kentucky College of Law Alumni Hall of Fame, and the Bluegrass Business Leaders Hall of Fame.