History
The Noah R. Friend Law Firm, PLLC opened its doors in 2010. Founding Partner Noah R. Friend was joined by Crystal D. Friend in 2013 and later Toney Robinette in 2018. As a boutique law firm focused on bankruptcy and federal criminal defense, our attorneys are able to approach your case with a personal touch. The strength of our team is not in our numbers but in our expertise, experience and commitment to our clients. At the Friend Law Firm, you will always be able to speak directly to one of our attorneys about your case every time.
Testimonials
“Best lawyer i could have had. he took care of everything for me. All I had to do is bring him the papers he asked for and I was done!” — Donald J.
“Five Stars.” — Barry H.
“Noah has been one of the most professional and attentive attorneys I have ever worked with. Any need we have had, whether personal or in regards to our business has been met with an incredible work ethic to accomplish the goals we set out to achieve. Noah had continuously went above and beyond for us and our family. He will forever have my business.” — John S.
“I was very impressed with the fact that I was listened to and all of my concerns were addressed. Would recommended this law group to everyone!” — William S.
“Toney and the staff at Friend Law Firm were very professional and made our bankruptcy as painless as possible. I highly recommend their services!” — Marilyn A.
Get in touch
We at the Friend Law Firm know that finding the right attorney to represent you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.
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Attorneys
FOUNDING Partner
Noah R. Friend
After attending the University of Kentucky for undergraduate and law school, Noah served for three years as a law clerk to United States Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins in Ashland and Pikeville. After completing his clerkship, he opened a private practice, with emphasis in the areas of individual and small business bankruptcy, appeals, and federal criminal defense. In 2015, he joined several other attorneys in drafting and filing a federal suit against the Social Security Administration based on the Administration’s actions in suspending benefits to thousands of Eastern Kentuckians without pre-suspension hearings.
In 2016, he accepted the position as General Counsel for Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball, serving in that capacity until the end of 2021, while also maintaining an Of Counsel relationship with the firm. As General Counsel, he was responsible for drafting KRS Chapter 393A, Kentucky’s Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. He drafted and testified regarding changes to dozens of other statutes, as well as regarding various other issues facing Kentucky state government, including constitutional issues surrounding the Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2016, he argued before the Kentucky Supreme Court in the published case of Beshear v. Bevin, 498 S.W.3d 355 (Ky. 2016), in which he successfully argued for the abolition of standing for individual legislators to bring suit in Kentucky courts. Mr. Friend drafted the legislation responsible for creating the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission. In connection with the Commission, he assisted in the creation of the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Foundation Inc., and obtained 501(c)(3) approval from the Internal Revenue Service for the Foundation. During his time in Frankfort, Mr. Friend also served as counsel for the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities.
In his bankruptcy practice, Mr. Friend has filed over 500 cases, including a significant number of complex individual and small business cases. He has successfully obtained confirmation in both individual and small business Chapter 11 cases, including some of the first Subchapter V cases approved in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Mr. Friend has represented an extensive number of individuals and small businesses against preferential transfer actions, and has successfully obtained numerous settlements in cases involving creditor violations of the automatic stay and discharge injunction.
Due to his work in the area of federal criminal practice, he has been selected to serve on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Pikeville and Lexington/Frankfort Divisions within the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, as well as the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In addition to these panels, he has also represented individuals charged with federal crimes in both the London and Ashland Divisions of the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
B.A., History, 2004
Legislative Testimony
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary
Interim Joint Committee on State Government
Joint Contract Review Committee
House Appropriations & Revenue Committee
House Health & Family Services Committee
House State Government Committee
House Local Government Committee
Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee
Senate State & Local Government Committee-
Recent Activities & Affiliations
Federalist Society (2005-present)
St. Francis Catholic Church (Pikeville), Parish Council (2015-16)
St. Leo Catholic School, School Board (2019-2022)
St. Leo Catholic School, School Board President (2021-2022)
Woodford County Youth Soccer Association, Coach (2018-present)
Bar Admissions
Commonwealth of Kentucky, 2007
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2010
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, 2010
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, 2010
Presentations
APA Louisville, Kentucky’s Unclaimed Property Law: Background & Compliance (2021)
KY Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Convention, “Using STABLE 529A Accounts to Help Clients with Disabilities” (June, 2019)
State Financial Officers Foundation, Panel: Issues Involving ESG & State Government Holdings (Spring 2019 Conference)
KY Bar Association, Kentucky Law Updates 2018 – Escheatment Update in Kentucky (RUUPA)
Kentucky Circuit Clerks Association, Unclaimed Property Updates (2018)
Kentucky Guardianship Association, STABLE Kentucky: Promoting Self-Empowerment for Kentuckians with Disabilities (October 2017)
UK College of Law Symposium 2017 – Obama-Era Coal Regulations in Eastern Kentucky
Fidelity National Title Group CLE, Ethics in Escrow Accounting & Escheating (2017)
Publications
Report of the Kentucky State Treasurer on Accountability for State Expenditures During the Pandemic (October 22, 2020), Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
Collateral Damages: The Impact of Obama-Era Regulations on the Eastern Kentucky Coalfields, Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture & Natural Resources Law (Vol 9, No. 3, 2016-17)
Partner
Crystal D. Friend
Originally from Florida, Crystal attending Rutgers University in New Jersey. She moved to Kentucky, and worked for a major national bank. After moving to Pikeville, she attended the Appalachian School of Law, where she was a member of the Natural Resources Law Journal. Upon graduating law school, she clerked for United States Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins in Pikeville. Since 2015, she has been a partner with the Firm.
Education
APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2013
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
B.A., Environmental Policy & Middle Eastern Studies, 2004
Activities & Affiliations
• Federalist Society (2011 - present)
• Appalachian Natural Resources Law Journal, 2011-13
Bar Admissions
• Commonwealth of Kentucky, 2013
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, 2013
ASSOCIATE
Toney Robinette
Phillip “Toney” Robinette graduated with honors from Transylvania University and received his J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law with membership in the Order of the Coif. He began practice as a federal clerk with the Hon. Danny C. Reeves in the Eastern District of Kentucky. In 2014, he returned to his hometown of Pikeville to join the East Kentucky Law Group where he focused on insurance defense and healthcare law. Toney joined the Noah R. Friend Law Firm in 2018. Toney’s first mentor in the law was his mother, attorney Pam May. In his down time, he enjoys hiking, kayaking and board games.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2013
• Order of the Coif
• CALI Excellence for the Future Award: Tax Law, Property Law, Contracts
• Kentucky Journal of Agriculture, Equine and Natural Resource Law, Staff Editor
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
B.S., Psychology and Anthropology, 2009
Activities & Affiliations
• Pikeville Farmer’s Market, Board Member
• Progress Pike, Member
• All Access EKY, Steering Committee Member
Bar Admissions
• Commonwealth of Kentucky, 2013
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, 2014