Bowling Green Honors Charles E. English Sr. with Prestigious Award
Bowling Green, KY, witnessed a significant event recently when the Bowling Green-Warren County Bar Association held its annual Law Day Ceremony. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2024 William H. Natcher Award to esteemed attorney Charles E. English Sr., who has dedicated an impressive 64 years of his life to the field of law.
A Celebrated Career
Charles E. English Sr., a co-founding partner of the firm English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley LLP, was honored for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession. His expertise covers various areas, including business law, banking, and estate litigation. The award recognizes not only his extensive knowledge but also his commitment to high ethical standards and public service, which mirrors the ideals of the late Congressman William H. Natcher.
English graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law and started practicing law after being admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1960. Shortly after earning his degree, he returned to Bowling Green, where he also took on the roles of assistant debate coach at Western Kentucky University and became a faculty member, teaching subjects like accounting and business law until 1999.
Influential Contributions
Over the decades, English’s legal expertise has benefited numerous clients, including universities. One of his most notable achievements involved serving as corporate counsel in the formation of an ethanol manufacturing facility in collaboration with a Fortune 500 company. Additionally, he played a key role in defending Fruit of the Loom Inc. in federal court against shareholder derivative actions, successfully representing the company’s interests.
English’s leadership skills were not limited to his legal practice. He served as chair of the Bowling Green-Warren County Hospital Commission, where he was instrumental in transitioning the city/county hospital to a not-for-profit entity, now known as The Medical Center.
Involvement Beyond Local Practice
Throughout his career, Charles has been active in various legal associations and boards, including the American Bar Association (ABA) Board of Governors. He also served as the chair of the finance committee and was a member of the ABA’s House of Delegates, showcasing his national influence in the legal community.
Furthermore, his contributions to the Kentucky Judicial system include serving on the Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Committee and being a member of the state’s Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee. He is recognized as a lifetime member of the Judicial Conference for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and has held the position of past president of the Kentucky Bar Association.
About the Award
The William H. Natcher Award was established during the 1994 Law Day Ceremony to honor the legacy of Congressman Natcher, known for his humility and integrity. Each year, the Bar Association presents this award to a senior member who exemplifies the dedication to community service and high ethical standards that Natcher represented.
It was a proud moment for the Bowling Green-Warren County Bar Association and the community as a whole to recognize English’s lifetime of achievements in law and his unwavering commitment to the public interest.
