James W. Gardner

Crystal L. Osborne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Crystal L., who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Crystal L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Blaine’s science background and experience as a college professor help set him apart as an environmental lawyer, where technical expertise is an important complement to the practice of law. His legal practice is a broad approach to environmental law that includes a focus on water and land issues, agriculture, natural resources and energy, and the intersection of surety law and environmental regulatory matters. He counsels clients on environmental compliance and environmental considerati...

Ashley Owens Hopkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Ashley Owens, 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 Ashley Owens is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard Wehrle is a Member of the firm and is based in the Lexington office. His practice focuses on trusts and estate administration, estate planning and charitable giving, charitable and non-profit organizations, estate and gift taxes, probate, and fiduciary law. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. More Than Stites & Harbison Prior to joining Stites & Harbison, Richard was a partner at Bowles Rice LLP in Lexington, Kentucky, handling trusts and estate planning for eight years....

Michael S. Hargis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trademark Law. Michael S., 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 Michael S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Warren D. Schickli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Copyright Law. Warren D., 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 Warren D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Leslie P. Vose is a Member in the Lexington office at Ward Hocker Thornton & Brown, PLLC. Her main practice areas are Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, and Insurance Defense.

John M. Williams is a native of Harlan County, Kentucky, and a partner in Williams, Kilpatrick & True, PLLC, in Lexington, Kentucky. John graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors of Business Administration in 1984 and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky in 1987. He is AV© Rated by Martindale Hubbell and is a Kentucky Super Lawyer™ as rated by Thompson Reuters. He represents numerous mineral operators in safety matters before the Federal M...

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...

Janet Craig is a seasoned attorney in health care law and regulatory insurance issues. She is experienced in certificate of need and licensure, reimbursement, managed care, fraud and abuse, HIPAA, and Stark I and II. A former General Counsel of the Kentucky Department of Insurance, she has an active regulatory practice. She represents a host of insurers and HMOs on matters ranging from market conduct and financial exams to mergers, change of control and rate filings. Recent Assignments Repres...