James E. Cole

Richard A. Vance is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Richard A., 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 Richard A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Owsley is a Member in the firm’s Business Litigation Service Group in Louisville. He practices complex and bet-the-company litigation in courts across the country, with subjects including intellectual property, commercial disputes, government investigations, product liability, international disputes, trusts and estates, antitrust, fiduciary duty, corporate governance, executive employment, legal ethics, professional liability, and constitutional law. During the summer of 2002, Dav...

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.

A senior member of the firm's Torts & Insurance Practice Group, John's national and regional litigation practice focuses on defending complex product liability lawsuits and managing serial litigation. His extensive trial experience includes medical devices, pharmaceuticals, intellectual property, and a variety of personal injury matters. John has tried product liability cases to jury verdicts in eight states. John also maintains an active appellate practice representing appellees, appella...

Bill Hellmann has more than 35 years experience as a transactional attorney representing clients in a wide array of business and finance matters. He enjoys drafting and negotiating complex documents, as well as counseling with major clients on legal and business matters. He has significant experience representing airports in contract and financial matters.

Marjorie A. Farris has practiced with the firm since graduating from law school in 1995 and has been a Member of the firm since 2003. Ms. Farris is an experienced trial lawyer who has handled a wide variety of litigation ranging from products liability, insurance bad faith, ERISA, complex business litigation, and class actions. She has actively defended more than 75 class actions nationwide.

Tyler S. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Tyler S., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tyler S. 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...

Pat Stallard is a member of the Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Service Group in the Louisville office. His practice concentrates in the air, water and waste programs, with substantial experience in programmatic permitting at both the agency level and on appeal, enforcement actions, counseling, rulemaking, advocacy, and legislative actions. Pat has considerable experience in remediation matters under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superf...

Doug Bates is an experienced trial lawyer who has been with the firm since 1992. He appears in state and federal courts throughout Indiana and Kentucky and has argued both before the Indiana Court of Appeals and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Bates regularly defends aviation clients, including airlines, major municipal airports, product manufacturers, aircraft mechanics and fixed base operators, and is often asked to speak at national aviation-related seminars. Mr. Bates also represent...