Phone: 859-219-9090
Fax: 859-219-9292
Email: Email Me
Kirstin joined Richardson Law Group, PLLC as an associate attorney in 2021. She attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law in Lexington, Kentucky. She originally hails from Hindman, Kentucky.
Professional Experience
Senior Associate, Richardson Law Group, PLLC, 2025
Associate, Richardson Law Group, PLLC, 2021
Law Clerk, Mattmiller Crosbie, PLLC
Law Clerk, Slone & Bates, PSC
Administrative Assistant, Knott County Attorney’s Office
Education
University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude (2021)
University of the Cumberlands, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minors in English and Psychology, Summa Cum Laude (2017)
Accomplishments, Honors, Affiliations
CALI Award Recipient: Secured Transactions
CALI Award Recipient: Family Law
CALI Award Recipient: Evidence
CALI Award Recipient: Litigation Skills
Moot Court Board, Writing Chair
Winner of Best Brief Award in Legal Writing, Reed Club (2019)
Representative Matter
June 2026, Johnson County, KY, 23-CI-00106: Conn v. Hall et. al. Melissa Richardson and Kirstin Handshoe secured summary judgment for a teacher against allegations of sexual harassment made by a student. The student’s Facebook profile listed her as a 40-year-old adult. The teacher messaged the profile. The student claimed the teacher sent inappropriate messages to her on Facebook amounting to sexual harassment. However, upon Motion for Summary Judgment, the Court found that while the teacher did message the student, the teacher did not make any actionable statements and did not sexually harass or discriminate against the student. The Court also found the teacher immediately ceased communications with the student upon subsequent messages leading him to suspect that she was not, in fact, a 40-year-old woman. The claims against the Board of Education, school officials, and the teacher were also barred by governmental immunity and official immunity, respectively. Any claim asserted against the teacher was barred by qualified official immunity because of the discretion needed to determine who one is messaging on Facebook. Any claims asserted against the school officials in their individual capacities were barred by qualified official immunity because their decisions about how to respond to the allegations were discretionary in nature. Overall, the Court ruled the plaintiff’s claims against all named defendants failed as a matter of fact and law.
Spare Time
In her spare time, Kirstin enjoys being outdoors, baking, and spending time with her friends, family, and pets.