Richard A. Whitaker

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...

As part of the Business Litigation Service Group and Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group, Dan has over 25 years of experience in defending corporate and individual clients against an array of complex business and tort claims in state and federal courts. Dan has defended complex business claims in a variety of litigation contexts, including multi-plaintiff and class action lawsuits. This includes the defense of a number of corporate entities, including major health care clients, again...

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...

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...

Bill Gorton is Chair of the Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Service Group for the firm. He is national counsel to numerous clients on environmental regulatory and land and water resources matters. He advises healthcare clients in permitting, acquisitions and environmental compliance matters. Bill has represented clients in the waste management sector including acquisitions, due diligence, compliance and contracting. He has been counsel in the development of numerous independent ...

Brian is a member of the Litigation Department. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, toxic tort litigation, product liability litigation, and fiduciary litigation.

Melanie J. Kilpatrick is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Employment Law - Management, Energy Regulatory Law, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Mining Law. Melanie J. practices law in Lexington, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Melanie J. Kilpatrick since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professio...

Jill M. Briscoe is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Jill M. practices law in Lexington, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Jill M. Briscoe since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jill M. Briscoe is held by other lawyers.

David represents businesses in a variety of complex commercial litigation matters. His litigation practice includes environmental, coal, agribusiness, toxic tort, securities and antitrust matters, as well as all types of business disputes. He also serves many medium and small businesses as outside general counsel. David has previously served in a variety of firm management positions including Partner-in-Charge of the Lexington office and is a member of the firm’s Compensation Committee.

Emily Larish Startsman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Emily Larish practices law in Lexington, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Emily Larish Startsman since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Emily Larish Startsman is held by other lawyers.