James W. Gardner

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.

Ms. Dorisio's practice encompasses all aspects of Federal income taxation of businesses and individuals, including entity formation, mergers, acquisitions and other business transactions, as well as the Federal and state income tax and corporate law issues of nonprofit organizations. Ms. Dorisio routinely: Advises with respect to the appropriate entity choice for new businesses. Drafts Operating Agreements for disregarded entities, partnerships and corporations. Forms nonprofit corporations, ...

Brady Dunnigan is based in the firm’s Lexington office, where his practice focuses primarily on commercial real estate and finance. He represents developers of hotels, entertainment venues, office buildings, mixed-use projects and industrial facilities, as well as lenders who finance them. His practice also includes general business law, assisting clients in structuring, documentation and financing of acquisitions, dispositions and other business transactions, and he serves as outside g...

Mr. Beck, a transactional lawyer, has represented both domestic and foreign clients in the purchase, sale or syndication of bloodstock valued at more than $700 million. Mr. Beck also regularly provides corporate and financing legal counsel to equine industry participants, including banks, horse farms, trainers, and organizers of multiple ownership arrangements for racing and breeding syndicates. In addition to his transaction practice, Mr. Beck is a mediator and arbitrator concentrating on tr...

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Matthew Minner attended the University of Kentucky on full academic and R.O.T.C. scholarships and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, with departmental honors and with highest distinction. In 1996, he graduated from the Vanderbilt University School of Law where he received the Weldon White Scholarship and was elected by his peers as an Officer and their Representative to the Vanderbilt Bar Association among other honors and achievements. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Minn...

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.

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...

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, ...

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 ...

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...