Michael Thomas Kunjoo

Michael is a first-generation American of Indian descent.  His father is of Indian descent, but was born in Malaysia, and his mother was born in India.  They met in college and immigrated to the United States in pursuit of professional opportunities and building a family.  Michael, along with his sister Michele and brother Daniel, were born and raised in the D.C. suburb of Rockville, Maryland.  Michael ultimately elected to venture southwest to Lexington in 2002 to attend the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.  He subsequently attended the University of Kentucky College of Law.  His love for Lexington grew and he elected to take the Kentucky bar in 2011 and become a permanent Kentuckian.  

 

Michael began seeing Whitney in 2011 when they were hired at the same firm during their last year of law school.  They bonded over the experience of law school, working together, Kentucky basketball, and their love for their dogs, Tucker and Milo.  They fostered a number of other dogs over the years through different non-profit organizations.  Tucker and Milo got a permanent brother once Little Man, their “foster failure”, joined the picture.  Michael and Whitney got married in 2016, and welcomed their first child, Luke Thomas, in 2020.  Luke instantly became the center of their universe and is definitely the “top dog” in the house now. 

 

Michael’s legal career has focused on insurance law, and he specializes in workers’ compensation.  His practice began in defense work, but he ultimately decided to switch sides and represent claimants.  His history in defense work makes him especially competent and effective as a Plaintiff’s attorney because he knows exactly how his opponents think.  Michael’s immense success in the legal field has led to annual recognition by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.  

 

In addition to practicing law, Michael loves to spend time volunteering and supporting causes that are meaningful to him.  He currently serves as the President of DiverCity Lexington.  DiverCity Lexington is a non-profit organization that arranges the DiverCity Festival, which is an event that seeks to educate, embrace, and celebrate the multitude of cultures within his community through food, art, song and dance.  As a first-generation American, Michael appreciates the importance of celebrating and learning about different cultures. Michael was also selected as a member of the 2019 Leadership Lexington class, and currently serves on its Alumni Board and Steering Committee. 

 

Michael enjoys spending his free time with family and friends.  He is an avid fan of the University of Kentucky, and still supports his hometown teams, which are the Washington Football Team, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and Baltimore Orioles.  His love for Kentucky also includes horse racing and bourbon, and his favorite places to take out-of-town guests include Keeneland and local bourbon distilleries.  Michael and Whitney actually held their wedding at Keeneland.  They enjoy staying active, movies, live music, the theater, and traveling.  They look forward to more traveling as a family of three.