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EJ Hurst II
also known as Jay Hurst
About EJ
Biography
Admitted to: States of North Carolina and Maryland; U.S. Courts of Appeal, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Tenth Circuits; U.S. District Courts for D.C., NC Eastern, Middle, Western Districts: Colorado; and North Dakota.
Practicing nationally, Jay's colleagues around the United States have rated him "AV Preeminent" through Martindale-Hubbell* since 2013.
First licensed to practice law in 2002, Jay Hurst has helped all manner of federal defendants through charges ranging from violent street crime to public corruption to high-dollar, white-collar misconduct. The first college graduate from a family that included its share of moonshiners, Jay understands that very few “bad guys” are truly bad human beings. People sometimes make poor choices, but Jay knows – and shows how – people facing prosecution are more than just the worst thing they’ve ever done. For fifteen years, Jay has translated his experiences into a simple practice philosophy: everyone deserves the Constitution’s protection, and a second chance.
* AV®, BV®, AV Preeminent® and BV Distinguished® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used under and in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Full explanation available at www.martindale.com/ratings .
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Federal Crime
40%
25 years
Administrative Law
35%
25 years
Appeals
10%
25 years
Criminal Defense
5%
25 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Sometimes
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Kentucky for < 1 year
State: Kentucky
Acquired: 2025
No misconduct found
Licensed in North Carolina for 17 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Licensed in Maryland for 24 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Location
(Mailing Address Only: Meetings By Appointment Only)
6409 Fayetteville Road, Suite 120, PMB 326, Durham, NC, 27713-6297
Alternative Mailing Address (Not Admitted in Kentucky)
1890 Star Shoot Parkway, Suite 170, PMB 371, Lexington, KY, 40509
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EJ Hurst II's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
8 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (8)
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 8 of 8 reviews
Posted by anonymous | November 09, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Detainer
He is very well spoken,and extremely knowledgeable in every area of law I've asked him of. Very considerate of your situation but honest about the outcome posibilities as well. He is a very kind person and I feel honored to have him on my fiance's side, on my my side. I feel like there's a greater c...
EJ Hurst
Replied last February 19, 2023You are most kind. I'm grateful for the confidence, and the chance to try and do some good. I remain at your service!
Posted by Yvette | July 10, 2017 | Criminal Defense
Honest, smart and a dream come true.
I had the pleasure of having Jay give me a consultation on a BOP issue in California. Mind you, he is on the East Coast but Jay took my call. He eased my concerns and gave me sound advice as to moving forward. Jay is not only a gentleman but smart and personable. I highly recommend him for any is...
EJ Hurst
Replied last July 10, 2017You are most generous, Yvette. Thank you for your very kind words. It was a pleasure getting to know you!
Posted by Ruth | October 26, 2015
Provided Correction
I had been requesting information on the meaning of a law based on a typo and he provided the correct one. It was provided in less than an hour after I'd posted it. I appreciate that, and the fact that he was paying attention.
EJ Hurst
Replied last October 26, 2015Thank you for your kind words, Ruth. I'm glad I could be of some service. I wish you many years of good news.
EJ Hurst II's Lawyer Endorsements
"Able counsel who dispenses consistently thoughtful advice. I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known EJ since law school, and he is doing impressive work in criminal defense. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ej definitely knows what he's doing as a criminal defense attorney. He is very knowledgeable, and I would highly recommend him to anybody seeking defense counsel."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
Daniel Alvarez
Unknown lawyer
Hans Pfaffenberger
Unknown lawyer
Cheryl Stein
Criminal defense lawyer
Joshua Lowther
Federal crime lawyer
Michael Hamden
Class action lawyer
Experience
Honors
N/A
John S. Greenebaum Public Service Award, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Univ. Louisville
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Attorney and Counselor at Law, Law Office of EJ Hurst II
2001 - 2003
Senior Case Developer, National Center On Institutions & Alternatives (NCIA)
1998 - 2000
Law Clerk, Jefferson County Attorney (Kentucky)
1998 - 1998
IOLTA Fellow, Legal Aid Society of Louisville, KY
1997 - 2000
Law Library Assistant, University Of Louisville, Brandeis School Of Law
Associations
2014 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersSentencing Committee Member
2013 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersCorrections Committee Member
2006 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2014 - 2016
Criminal Justice Act, Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of AppealsFormer Panel Member
2013 - 2016
Criminal Justice Act, Eastern District of North CarolinaFormer Panel Member
Sample of Legal Cases
United States v. Morales-Albear, 5:15−cr−00301−BO (E.D.N.C.)
(local counsel, with lead counsel Jennifer Wirsching): Suppression Motion granted, federal case dismissed
United States v. Burney, 12-CR-00068 (EDNC); 13-4925 (4th Cir.) (first appeal); 14-4787 (4th Cir.) (2d appeal)
Proposed Guidelines range of 324-360 months. Original sentence instead of 137 months. Conspiracy count reversed and remanded on appeal. Final sentence of 96 months
United States v. Mouton, 11-CR-00048 (ED La.)
Sentence to Probation, despite proposed Guidelines sentence of 60 months
United States v. Grace, 10-CR-00143 (MD La); 12-30926 (5th Cir.)
Proposed Guidelines sentence of Life without Parole. Original sentence of 264 months. Remanded for re-sentencing with recalculation of loss amount.
United States v. Roy, 10-CR-00275 (WD La)
Sentence to 72 months despite proposed Guidelines sentence of 120 months.
Education
2000
Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville
JD - Juris Doctor
1993
Transylvania University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2021
Availability of Treatment and Rehabilitation in Federal Prison: The Critical Role of the Presentence Report
Federal Sentencing and Prisons
2010
Federal Sentencing: Laws, Legislation, and Nuance,
Federal Sentencing
2008
Navigating the Murky Waters of the BOP: Advocating for the Best Possible Placement and Designation for Your Clients
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Publications
2023
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader / kentucky.com
Meet Sharon Land. She’s one of many poorly paid crossing guards who keep our children safe.
2023
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader / kentucky.com
Meet Sharon Land. She’s one of many poorly paid crossing guards who keep our children safe.
2022
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader, kentucky.com
Donald Trump can be indicted. Here’s how it should be done.
2022
Louisville (KY) Courier-Journal
They’re using 'RINO' wrong: How the whole GOP is 'republican in name only'
2021
2020
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader
An enlarged Supreme Court could hear more cases, make federal law more consistent
2018
Lexington Herald-Leader online
Federal prisons are not economic engines
2018
Lexington Herald-Leader (kentucky.com)
Journalistic imprecision contributes to criminal-justice myths
2018
Lexington Herald-Leader (kentucky.com)
Educating inmates makes us safer than prison alone. And it’s cheaper.
2017
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader (kentucky.com)
Prison privatization is never the right answer
2017
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader
Elected judges are bad for the republic and the law
2017
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader
"Ignore, report internet trolls to encourage real debate, civility"
2016
Criminal Justice magazine (ABA)
Different Talk, Familiar Walk: More Medical and Elderly Releases under BOP’s Reduction in Sentence Program, but Other Inmates Still Out of Luck
2014
2014
The Hill
The courthouse is closed (to you)
2014
Criminal Justice (American Bar Association), Vol. 28, No. 4 (Winter 2014)
Federal BOP Puts a Little Compassion in Its Newest Release Program
2000
Brandeis Law Journal
Rules, Regs, and Removal: State Law, Foreseeability, and Fair Play in One Strike Terminations from Federally-Subsidized Public Housing
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I have my felony charge expunge that occurred in 1998?
14 Jan 2025
Q&A
Why has my son been incarcerated in county jail for 2 years without a bond reduction or a court date for aggravated assault ?
11 Aug 2023
Q&A
Help to get a federal bank fraud off record or a pardon?
22 Mar 2022