John "Chip" Clay is a Partner in the Louisville office of GRSM. He is an effective construction litigator, with a proven track record for representing design professionals, contractors, and owners during every phase of the construction process. Whether it is a complex contract dispute or a catastrophic injury claim arising from a construction accident, Chip draws on his civil engineering training and real-world experience as an engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to identify creative, pragmatic solutions for his clients in state and federal courts across the country.
Representative Matters:
- Obtained pretrial dismissal in U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Kentucky on behalf of insurance brokerage for claims arising from breach of standard of care.
- Secured summary dismissal on behalf of multiple engineering firms for matters in multiple Kentucky state courts.
- Prosecuted mechanic’s lien foreclosure on cooperative utility to successful resolution.
- Awarded summary dismissal on behalf underinsured motorist carrier from claims arising from catastrophic trucking accident.
- Successfully defended highway contractor and concrete subcontractor facing indemnity claims from primary tortfeasor.
- Represented national commercial cleaning company to successful dismissal of personal injury claims arising from foreign substance spilled on floor.
- Highway to the Danger Zone: 7 Tips for Managing Personal Injury Claims Post-Construction: A Case Study, Defense Research Institute Toolbox Talk, September 19, 2022
- Highway to the Danger Zone: 7 Tips for Managing Personal Injury Claims Arising from Construction Projects, GRSM Steel Team Fabricators Webinar, July 19, 2022
- “Livin’ on a Prayer”: What Due Diligence Do You Need to Do Before You Bid or Start Work?, GRSM Steel Fabricators Webinar, July 27, 2020
- I’ve Got a Bad Feeling about This”: What You Can Do to Avoid Having that “Bad Feeling” when You Are Trying to Collect Change Orders, GRSM Steel Fabricators Webinar, February 4, 2020
Admissions
- Kentucky
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Education
- J.D., University of Kentucky College of Law, 2014
- CALI Award (Highest Grade): Products Liability
- B.S., Civil Engineering University of Kentucky, 2010
- KY Engineer-In-Training
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch distinction in Construction Law (2021-2025), Intellectual Property Law (2024-2025)
- Super Lawyers® Rising Stars distinction in Construction Litigation (2020-2023)