James A. Giesel

Thad Barnes is an experienced trial attorney with approximately 40 bench and jury trials to his credit. Mr. Barnes' practice is focused on intellectual property litigation, complex commercial litigation, and health care litigation. Mr. Barnes has extensive experience in patent litigation, trade secret cases, product liability matters and works extensively with flavor and fragrance manufacturers. He is listed in Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star in the Intellectual Property practice ar...

Tom Halbleib is a transactional lawyer with substantial experience representing airport sponsors, governmental agencies and other tax exempt organizations, commercial lenders, and buyers and sellers of assets and businesses. Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications Mr. Halbleib's topics have included Third-Party Legal Opinions in Commercial Transactions (Louisville Bar Association) and Airport Law (Kentucky Aviation Association, Airports Council International, and the American Association...

Charles H. Stopher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Charles H., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William B. (Bill) Bardenwerper, is listed in Best Lawyers in America, with top rankings in Chambers USA and Martindale-Hubbell. Bill received these distinctions from a practice beginning in 1978 as Jefferson County’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and as Special Counsel to the County Executive (now U.S. Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell. In 1987, Bill became managing partner of a firm bearing his name, today Bardenwerper, Talbott & Roberts, PLLC. He has always primarily...

Rachel is an experienced transactional attorney focusing on employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and compliance matters, and other strategic commercial transactions. Rachel represents domestic and international businesses operating across the United States. Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements Corporation Law: Kentucky Practical Law Corporate & Securities State Q&A UPDATE: FinCEN and Treasury Department Announce ...

Ms. Breetz's practice focuses on both federal and state appellate advocacy, complex commercial litigation, including financial institution, real estate, and trust and estate litigation. She currently serves as co-chair of the firm's Appellate Advocacy group. Recent Assignments Handles a variety of federal and state court litigation and appellate matters for the Kentucky Bar Association and related entities and employees, e.g., Deters v. Herrick, 2020 Ky. Unpub. LEXIS 14 (Ky. 2020); Mischler v...

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

Lawrence C. Droege is a member of the firm's Real Estate & Banking Service Group. He primarily focuses his practice on real estate, lending and creditors' rights law. Larry also has experience working with capital markets lenders in closing conduit loans and working with national insurance companies on synthetic guaranteed investment contracts. He joined the firm in October 2004. Recent Assignments Worked with insurance companies on review and restructuring of hundreds of synthetic guaran...

Michael E. Kleinert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Michael E., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ray Haley is a partner in the Louisville Office. He has practiced labor and employment law for more than 30 years. Ray represents employers in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and rehabilitative services. His representation of clients involves defense of all forms of civil rights and wrongful discharge claims in state and federal courts, labor litigation before state and federal agencies and courts, as well as arbitration of labor disputes. Ray regu...