The Bench & Bar magazine is published to provide members of the KBA with information that will increase their knowledge of the law, improve the practice of law, and assist in improving the quality of legal services for the citizenry.
Issue link: https://kentuckybenchandbar.epubxp.com/i/546018
WWWW ON THE MOVE Fogle Keller Purdy PLLC announces that Ryan D. Thompson has joined our firm as an associate in our Lexington office. Thompson, a Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law graduate will be working in the areas of federal and state black lung in addition to insur- ance defense. Travis & Herbert announces that Denise Smith Motta joined the firm in March. Motta has experience defending complex civil litigation claims, including general liability and product liability/pharmaceutical cases. She is experienced in handling all aspects of litigation in state and federal courts. Prior to joining Travis & Herbert, Motta was associate general counsel at The Rawlings Company, the nation's largest healthcare subrogation vendor. Motta received her bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 1993 and graduated from Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1996, magna cum laude. She is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and State of Ohio, as well as before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and various federal dis- trict courts. The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance has appointed John R. Steffen as executive director. Steffen served as the executive director of the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission, where he also served as general counsel from 2004-2008. Steffen is also a Major in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps, where he has served as a Reservist since 2000. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, having been assigned to active duty from 2003-2004 and 2008-2009. Prior to service at the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, Steffen was assistant gen- eral counsel for the Finance and Administration Cabinet, and also served as a staff attorney for the Public Service Commission and the Labor Cabinet. Steffen earned a B.A. in his- tory and government from Centre College and received his J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Steffen is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, and is admitted to practice before the Kentucky Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit United States Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. The executive director position with the Registry was previously held by Sarah M. Jackson, who retired in the fall of 2014. The Registry is charged with administering Kentucky's campaign finance laws, including those relating to gubernatorial slates and statewide candidates who are running for elec- tion this year. Kentucky law requires the disclosure by a gubernatorial slate or candidate of contributions to and expenditures by the campaign. Emily M. Cochran joined Children's Law Center (CLC) as a staff attorney/guardian ad litem in March 2015 after working as a family law attorney for two years at a private law firm in Ft. Mitchell, Ky. After graduating magna cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in business administration from Bluefield State College, Cochran spent a year working in London as a business consultant where she met the recruitment needs of global businesses and jobseekers throughout Europe, Africa and Australia. She moved to Kentucky in 2007 to attend Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where she earned her J.D. in 2011. She has over 10 years of experience working in law firms as either a paralegal, law clerk, or associ- ate attorney. She also was previously a volunteer attorney for Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio as a co-guardian ad litem in dependency, neglect and abuse cases. At CLC, she provides legal representation to children and youth throughout the Northern Kentucky region, primarily focusing on child cus- tody and education cases. VanAntwerp Attorneys, LLP , announces that Ashley Leann Adkins has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Adkins's practice will be focused in the area of litigation. Adkins graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2014 and is admitted to practice in Kentucky. While in law school, she served as treasurer of the Women's Law Caucus, vice president of the Trial Advocacy Board, and was a member of Moot Court. Adkins was selected as a top oral advocate for the Reed Club and was runner-up at the 2012 Kentucky Intrastate Trial Competition. Adkins currently is an assistant coach for the Paul Blazer High School Mock Trial Team, and she serves as a board mem- ber for Safe Harbor Children's Advocacy Center and Ashland Young Professional Association. Gwin Steinmetz & Baird PLLC announces the Patricia Harmeling has been elected mem- ber.I Harmeling focuses her practice in insurance defense litigation.I Stites & Harbison, PLLC wel- comes attor- ney Michael T. Leigh to the Louisville office. Leigh joins the firm as an attorney in the business litigation service group. His practice focuses on complex civil litiga- tion and white collar criminal defense. He represents publicly traded and pri- vately held companies in corporate governance, securities, and commercial litigation, and advises clients in inter- nal corporate and regulatory investiga- tions. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York Law School in 2010. While in law school, he was executive editor of the school's Law Review and was a John Marshall Harlan Scholar. He earned his B.S. from the University of Louisville in 2007. Duane Cook & Associates, PLC , announces that Mikel D. McKinley, Jr. , has joined the firm. McKinley received his undergraduate degree in business management from the University of Kentucky in 2004, his M.B.A. from Eastern Kentucky University in 2006 and his J.D. from 54 B&B; • 7.15 Have an item for WHO, WHAT, WHEN & WHERE? The Bench & Bar welcomes brief announcements about member placements, promotions, relocations and honors. Notices are printed at no cost and must be submitted in writing to: Managing Edi- tor, Bench & Bar, 514 West Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 or by email to sroberts@kybar.org. Digital photos must be a minimum of 300 dpi and two (2) inches tall from top of head to shoulders. There is a $10 fee per photograph ap- pearing with announcements. Paid professional announcements are also available. Please make checks payable to the Kentucky Bar Association.