Meet Richard M. Breen: Your Personal Injury Attorney
Our clients trust Richard Breen Law Offices’ personal injury lawyers because of our proven track record and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for our clients.
Richard M. Breen is a fifth generation Louisvillian, and was nine years old when he decided he wanted to be a lawyer when he grew up. Several years later, as a freshman at Louisville’s St. Xavier High School, Breen bought a St. Xavier jersey with the number 79, he says, “because that was the year that I would graduate from law school.”
When Richard M. Breen finished law school at the University of Louisville, in 1979, of course, he took a temporary job with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and continued his legal education.” “I was a Deputy Sheriff, a bailiff,” he says. ” It doubled the income I had been making as a law clerk. I got to meet all the judges, all the clerks, all the prosecutors. I learned my way around district court. Some of the judges really helped me out later, by appointing me on misdemeanor cases.”
Then Mr. Breen joined Louisville’s oldest Plaintiff’s personal injury law firm. “I used to cut the partner’s grass when I was a kid,” says Breen. “I had always admired him and looked up to him. He was my mentor.” Then himself a Partner in the firm, Breen honed his personal injury law skills. “I always wanted to try damage cases in front of juries,” he says.
In 1993 after 13 years with the firm, he decided to set up his own practice. He opened Richard Breen Law Offices P.S.C., which now consists of Breen and associates. The firm is engaged almost exclusively in representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases. “The office is not too big, we all get along well with each other, and work really hard for our clients.” He says 90 to 95 percent of his cases are settled before trial, “because most of my clients are reasonable, good-hearted people who will usually take a fair offer. If a fair offer doesn’t come, then we represent them on their day in court.”
Still, Breen says he never forgets some advice from his mentor: “If you prepare a case for trial, a settlement can happen any time along the way.” “So I’ve always tried to get a case ready for trial from the get-go,” Breen says. Breen believes his strongest suit as a litigator is case preparation. He’s not afraid of hard work, and tries to be creative. He moved to a suburban office for the convenience of his clients, some of whom “don’t like the hassles of going downtown.”
Richard M. Breen, a certified civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Richard is a SUPERLAWYER, and repeatedly named by Louisville Magazine as a Top Lawyer. The firm is AV-Rated (the highest rating) by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Richard Breen Law Offices is committed to protecting the rights of injured accident victims.
PRACTICE AREAS
- Plaintiff Personal Injury Law, fighting for those who have been injured by the negligence, gross negligence, reckless, or wanton conduct of others, including corporations, nursing homes, and trucking companies.
- Mr. Breen serves victims injured by a car collision, tractor-trailer crash, motorcycle wreck, dog attack, slip and fall, on-the-job, and other serious personal injury cases such as wrongful death. Mr. Breen also helps those who have been wronged by insurance companies.
- Trust, Estate, and Fiduciary Litigation
PUBLISHED CASES
- Dunlap v. University of Kentucky, 716 S.W.2d 219 (1986);
- Gould, M.D. v. O’Bannon, 770 S.W.2d 220 (1989);
- Kitchen v. State Auto, Ky. 853 S.W.2d 895 (1993);
- Mitchell v. Kentucky Farm Bureau, Ky. 927 S.W.2d 343 (1996);
- Graham v. Warrior Insurance Group, 60 F. Supp. 2d 632 (1999);
- Davidson v. American Freightways, 25 S.W. 3d 94 (2000)
PUBLICATIONS
- Editor Kentucky Circuit Court Local Rules — 1991
- Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys Cause of Action Manual — Medical Negligence — 1990
- Handling a Bad Faith Case in Kentucky — 1990
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists and Bad Faith Update — 1990
- Automobile Insurance and Third-Party Coverages in Kentucky — 1989
- Big Truck Wrecks — Discover the Truck Driver’s Background — 1989
- Payment of No-Fault Benefits — 1989
- Sovereign Immunity Does Not Bar Claims Against Individuals For Their Torts — 1989
ADMISSIONS
- Supreme Court of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
- United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
MEMBERSHIPS
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Louisville Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- Kentucky Justice Association
EDUCATION
- J.D. University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law
- B.A. Vanderbilt University
COMMUNITY & LEADERSHIP
- Kentucky Super Lawyers
- Top Lawyers in Louisville by Louisville Magazine
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Continuing Legal Education Recognition Award
- Annually, 1981- present
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Citation of Excellence — 1989, 1995
- Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy –1989 – Present
- Board of Directors 1996-2001; Executive Committee 2001
- Kentucky Supreme Court Appointments
- Special Justice — Lewis v. Commonwealth, 92-SC-000165-MR and Chandler v. Commonwealth, 95-SC-282-MR
- Civil Rules Committee — 1988-present
- Time Standards Committee — 1985
- Kentucky Bar Association-Continuing Legal Education Commission — 1991-1993 (Chairman – 1993)
- MEMBER, OUTSTANDING LAWYERS OF AMERICA
- MEMBER, MILLION DOLLAR ADVOCATES FORUM
RICHARD M. BREEN’S HONORS & RECOGNITIONS
- Mayor, City of Glenview, KY — 2007 – 2015
- Hand in Hand Ministries
- Board of Directors — 2004 – 2005
- Ursuline Campus Schools
- Board of Trustees — 2005 – 2007
- St. Xavier High School
- Campaign Cabinet — 2004 – 2010
- Board of Directors — 2006 – 2015
- Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys
- President — 1989
- President-Elect — 1988
- Vice President — 1987
- Treasurer — 1986
- Board of Governors — 1983-present
- Chair:
- Amicus Curiae Committee — 1987-1988
- Kentucky Attorneys’ Political Action Trust — 1988-1990
- Political Insight Committee — 1989
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- State Delegate — 1992 – 1993
- Board of Governors — 1993 – 2000
- Chair/Co-Chair:
- State Relations Committee — 1990-1991
- Committees:
- ATLA/NATLE Relations Committee — 1989-1991
- Political Insight Committee — 1989-1990
- Public Relations Committee — 1989-1990
- State Relations Committee — 1989-1991
- All-state All-star Seminar Committee — 1989-1990
- ATLA PAC Task Force — 1989-1991 
- Louisville Bar Association
- Chair/Co-Chair:
- Legal Medical Committee — 1984-1986
- Committees:
- Public Relations and Bar Media Committee –1984-1985
- Rules Committee — 1980-1981
- Convention Bar Committee — 1982-1983
- Chair/Co-Chair:
Client Testimonials and Reviews
Successful Outcomes
I felt very welcomed upon initially meeting Connor. He did not show an attitude which I have had with other lawyers. So a plus with me immediately!! His return phone calls were prompt which is so important to me. I never felt rushed when meeting with him at the office. He was most genuine and sincere. I will always refer to your office!!
Debra R.
Client Respect
I really liked Richard Breen Sr. He treated me like I could write him a million dollar check. He’s a good guy. I was impressed, a true gentleman. Thank you.
Cherreka J.
Life-Changing Support
I used their office back in 2020 when I was in a pretty serious auto accident. Adam Redden was my lawyer representing me. Adam never gave up. Cindy Trent was in contact almost daily. It took every bit of 2 years to resolve. But they did it with determination and grace. I cannot say enough good things about them. I highly recommend them. I will always be grateful to them and would use them again but hopefully I never haft to. Thank you!
Tammy D.
