Allison Cooke

Jill M. Briscoe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jill M., who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jill M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel E. Murner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Daniel E., who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melanie J. Kilpatrick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Employment Law - Management, Energy Regulatory Law, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Mining Law. Melanie J., who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melanie J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice a...

Philip Coleman Lawson was born in Pineville, Bell County, Kentucky, the son of two lawyers. He attended high school at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thereafter, he attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. While at Centre, he was a member of the Varsity Baseball and Golf Teams while being an active member of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After a summer internship, at the Washington, D.C. office of former United States Representative, A.B. (“Ben”) Chand...

Jay Prather’s work as a trial lawyer at Garmer & Prather has earned him the recognition of his peers, including being named Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Plaintiffs’ Product Liability Litigation – Lexington . He continues a family tradition of Kentucky legal service and brings a disciplined, trial-focused approach to representing individuals and workers harmed by negligence, unsafe products, or wage-and-hour violations. Jay has distinguished ...

Clarke Keller's practice focuses on defending Kentucky-area emergency medical service providers, product liability litigation and transportation law, including aviation, motor carriers and railroads. He serves as chair of the Business Litigation Group in the firm's Lexington office. He helped a start-up commercial enterprise obtain an FAA exemption and Certificate of Authorization to operate an unmanned aerial system (UAS) or drone, for commercial purposes. Additionally, Mr. Keller also maint...

Ashley Ward has practiced in the Lexington office's Torts and Insurance Service Group since 1986 and is a co-leader of that group. He has tried more than 20 jury trials to verdict. He focuses on product liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, telecommunications and contractual disputes. Ashley also has considerable experience litigating will contests and other fiduciary disputes. More Than Stites & Harbison Upon graduation from law school, Ashley served as a law clerk for United ...

Whitney True Lawson was born in Frankfort, Kentucky and attended Franklin County Public Schools until she graduated from Western Hills High School with a 4.0 GPA. Thereafter, she attended Transylvania University and graduated, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in German. While at Transylvania University, she was an active member of her sorority, Phi Mu. Between her junior and senior year at Transylvania University, she interned with former United States Representative, A.B. Chandler, ...

Mandy Wilson Decker is a Patent Attorney and member of the Intellectual Property & Technology Service Group. Her practice focuses on intellectual property protection strategy, including counseling clients on infringement, validity and patentability, transfer of intellectual property, patent drafting, and patent prosecution. Contributing to her practice is a scientific background in chemistry and experience with academic and commercial research in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology, ...

Emily Larish Startsman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Emily Larish, who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily Larish is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.