Whitney O’Neal is an experienced Kentucky appellate and trial lawyer whose practice focuses on criminal defense, family law, and appellate litigation in Richmond, Madison County, and surrounding Central Kentucky counties. Her background in social work provides a distinct advantage in understanding complex and emotionally driven criminal and domestic cases.

Whitney earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pikeville and her Juris Doctor from Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Before transitioning into the practice of law, her professional experience in social work gave her meaningful insight into family dynamics, crisis situations, and human behavior, allowing her to approach litigation with both strategic focus and practical understanding.

Whitney is licensed to practice in Kentucky and in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. She regularly represents clients in Madison County and throughout Central Kentucky and is widely respected for her meticulous case preparation, appellate work, and tenacious courtroom advocacy. Whether defending clients against serious criminal charges, navigating divorce and child custody disputes, or handling complex appeals, Whitney is known for her thorough legal research abilities, negotiation skills that often resolve cases short of trial, her refusal to back down, and her commitment to standing up for clients.

Whitney has received multiple professional recognitions for her advocacy, including being selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2024, she was honored as the Fayette County Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, the second largest local bar association in Kentucky. Whitney also serves on the Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee.