OUR ATTORNEYS

J. Paul Bradford

J. Paul Bradford

Background and Experience

Mr. Bradford joined Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub, PLLC as a Member in January 2023. His law practice and professional experience has concentrated primarily on Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate Administration since 2015. He has assisted individuals and families to create and implement a broad range of estate planning strategies utilizing Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Will Directives, Testamentary Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Asset Protection Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Charitable Giving, Life Estates, and more. He has also advised clients on business succession planning, family farm succession planning, and estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer tax planning. Prior to joining our firm, he led a local trust department for several years, gaining invaluable experience in the areas of Wealth Management, Trust Administration, and Probate Estate Administration by serving as or assisting those appointed to fiduciary roles. In addition to Trusts and Estates, Mr. Bradford has significant experience in real estate and corporate law.  He has successfully navigated and closed a variety of types of real estate transactions, particularly tax deferred exchanges (also referred to as a “1031 exchange”, “like kind exchange”, or “real estate exchange”). In the area of corporate law, he has advised small to mid-size businesses with forming corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies as well as helped negotiate and execute various business and employment related contracts including operating agreements, buy-sell or stock transfer agreements, employment agreements, non-disclosure agreements, noncompete agreements, and many others.

Licenses and Associations

  • Kentucky Bar Association
    • KBA Communications and Publications Committee, 2014 – 2019
    • KBA Malpractice Task Force, 2015
    • Probate & Trust Law Section
    • KBF Life Fellow
  • McCracken County Bar Association
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Education

University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, J.D. 2013

    • Honor Council, Chair, 2012-13
    • Student Bar Association, Treasurer, 2012-13, Career Services Chair, 2011-12, LBA Representative, 2010-11

University of Kentucky, Gatton College of Business and Economic, Bachelor of Business Administration, 2008

    • UK Investors’ Club, President, 2007-08
    • Christian Student Fellowship, Board Member, 2008-2010, Finance Director, 2007-08, Development Director, 2006-07

Community Involvement

  • Baptist Health Paducah Foundation, Board Member, 2022-present, President’s Circle, 2019-present
  • Rotary Club of Paducah, Member, Board Member 2020-present
  • Paducah Planning Commission, Commissioner, 2014-23
  • Paducah/McCracken County Habitat for Humanity, Board Member, 2014-23
  • Paducah Young Professionals, Co-Chair, 2017-18, Steering Committee Member, 2015
  • Leadership Paducah Class 30
  • Carson Park Board, Board Member, 2014-17

Personal

Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and raised in Mayfield, Kentucky (Mayfield High School Class of 2004), Paul has called Paducah home since 2013. He married his wife Kelsie in 2014 and they have two rambunctious boys.