Jonathan Freed

Jeff Moad is a Member in the firm’s Business Litigation Service Group in Louisville. He practices complex business and commercial litigation, class action litigation, consumer finance litigation, and professional liability litigation.Jeff joined the firm after graduating first in his class from the University of Kentucky College of Law and serving as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.He has represented clients in litigation, investigations, and ...

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 ...

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.

Phillip L. Monhollen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Phillip L., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Phillip L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shannon Antle Hamilton chairs the Firm’s Employment Law Service Group, and is a seasoned litigator and counselor on complex employment law issues. Shannon has significant lead counsel experience in employment litigation and has tried numerous cases in both federal and state court to jury verdict. Shannon’s trial experience includes defending companies in workers’ compensation retaliation claims, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, cases brought under Title VII and the Kentu...

Joe Hamilton is a Member of the firm and has been based in the Louisville office since 1986. He is a member of the Business Litigation Service Group, which is home to approximately 60 attorneys and paralegals and is co-chair and co-founder of the firm's 20 member Class Action Defense Practice Group. His practice emphasis is in class action defense and other complex business and business insurance litigation. With regard to his class action defense practice, Mr. Hamilton has been counsel in ov...

Laurel K. Cornell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Laurel K., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laurel K. 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...

Mr. Hixson regularly practices and appears in courtrooms across Kentucky. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, coal supply litigation, product liability, and professional liability. Mr. Hixson also has significant experience in motor carrier litigation, and has litigated a wide array of complex and catastrophic injury cases in state and federal jurisdictions. Mr. Hixson's commercial practice involves representing businesses in cases with claims ranging from breach of contract, promi...

Michael S. Jackson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Michael S., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2018. 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.