Misty Clark Vantrease
Kentucky ElderLaw, PLLC
Misty Clark Vantrease assists older clients, their children and other family members, with Nursing Home, Medicaid, asset preservation, asset distribution, mental capacity, probate, Guardianship and other issues, both financial and non-financial. In addition, she drafts legal documents such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Surrogates, and Care Agreements for clients and family members. She also speaks and teaches in a variety of forums.
Louisville Metro Public Defender | Capital Division | 2008- 2011
Misty was a trial attorney representing indigent clients charged with Murder where the state was seeking the death penalty. This involved complex pretrial litigation, including the drafting of motions and memorandums of law and arguing the same. In addition, she handled all aspects of the trial, including individual jury selection, general jury selection, opening statements, cross and direct examinations, and closing arguments. Misty worked with the clients’ families, ordered records, and developed detailed social histories outlining often tragic histories of abuse and neglect. She prepared and presented these stories to the jury in the penalty phase of the trial. During her tenure, none of her clients received the death penalty.
General Trial Division | 2001-2008
Misty handled and tried criminal cases ranging from DUIs to non-capital murder. She handled all aspects of the case from client intake and interview to jury trial and sentencing. Her hard work and dedication on behalf of her clients earned her the respect of her peers, her adversaries, the judiciary, and most importantly, her clients. Misty handled thousands of cases during her seven years in the general trial division and tried by jury over 40 felony cases.
In 2005, she was selected by the Louisville Bar Association to receive the Frank Haddad Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.
Education
Stetson University
LL.M in elder law, 2017
University of Louisville
Louis Brandeis School of Law
Juris Doctor, 2001
Murray State University
1994-1998
B.A., summa cum laude
License
Kentucky Bar, 2001
Additional Background
Misty grew up in Western Kentucky, where her Father was a Methodist minister serving multiple churches throughout the Jackson Purchase area of the state. As part of the pastoral family, they spent a great deal of time on senior ministries, including nursing home outreach.
In 1997, Misty was chosen to be a Governor’s Scholar based on her academic excellence. In the summer of 1997, she developed a volunteer outreach at a nursing home in Northern Kentucky. She volunteered her time to be with the elderly residents, providing companionship and assistance.
Misty’s appreciation for public service has continued in her law practice. She began by serving the indigent as a Public Defender for ten years. Now, it is her pleasure to serve and assist her older clients and their families.