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/213936
IN THE NEWS Hundreds of solo and small-firm lawyers from the U.S. and abroad learned about ethical issues in the use of legal technology, practice empowerment, the purchase and sale of thoroughbred horses, and the th Affordable Care Act during the 8 annual National Solo and Small Firm Conference held October 5-8 at the Lexington Convention Center hosted by the American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division. Former ABA President William T. Robinson III (2011-12) served as keynote luncheon speaker on October 3, with special guest ABA President-elect William Hubbard. Networking breakfasts on October 4 and 5 featured Robert Carlson, chair of the ABA House of Delegates, and retired Judge Lewis G. Paisley. In addition, John M. Rosenberg, of counsel at Pillersdorf, DeRossett & Lane and emeritus director of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky Inc., spoke at the Difference Makers Awards Luncheon on October 4. The annual Difference Makers Awards program recognizes extraordinary lawyers who make a difference by breaking barriers, through community service, through pro bono work and through service to the profession. The 2013 Difference Makers Award recipients are: John M. Rosenberg, Prestonsburg (Difference Makers Award); Bernice B. Donald, Memphis, Tenn. (Making a Difference by Breaking Barriers); Palmer Gene Vance II, Lexington (Making a Difference through Community Service); Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota chapter (Making a Difference through Pro Bono Work); Marcia Milby Ridings, London, (Making a Difference through Service to the Profession). Lawrence practices at The Lawrence Firm, PSC. Moore represents individuals and families who have been injured as a result of harmful drugs, products and medical devices, medical negligence, nursing home neglect and abuse, and automobile and truck wrecks. She is a founding partner of Grossman & Moore, PLLC in Louisville. Dinsmore & Shohl's Angela L. Edwards has been appointed to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees by Gov. Steve Beshear. Edwards will serve a sixyear term replacing Pamela R. May. Edwards' husband, Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Brian Edwards, presided over swearing-in ceremonies for the new trustees on August 13 on the UK Campus, with their first board meeting following on September 10. Edwards will continue to serve as a trustee for St. Catharine College and is a former board of trustee member for Transylvania University. In 2008, Gov. Beshear appointed Edwards to the Execu- tive Branch Ethics Commission. Edwards is a partner in Dinsmore's litigation department. She practices in the areas of ERISA litigation and commercial litigation. Edwards counsels clients with business disputes and represents employee benefit plans, claims administrators and employers with benefits issues. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law and her B.A. from Transylvania University. McNair Law Firm, P.A. is pleased to announce that attorney Gillard "Gil" B. Johnson, III, has been appointed to the Western Kentucky University (WKU) Board of Regents. Board members are selected by the governor and serve up to two sixyear terms. Johnson graduated from WKU in 1970, earning a bachelor of science degree in business. As a former Hilltopper, Johnson is excited for this opportunity to serve his alma mater. He has been practicing law in Kentucky for more than 40 years and presently heads the Lexington office of McNair Law Firm, P.A. As an attorney in McNair's public finance practice group, he brings an extensive background in tax-exempt and industrial development bond financing, as well as experience in mergers, tax-free reorganizations and commercial/corporate litigation. In addition to his newest role, Johnson is actively involved in the National Association of Bond Lawyers and the University of Louisville Law Review. Stacy H. Tapke, of Edmondson & Associates, has been recognized by the Cincinnati Business Courier as among the Class of 2013 "Forty Under 40."JAccording to the Cincinnati Business Courier, "Forty Under 40" recognizes greater Cincinnati's next generation of young leaders and innovators — "people who have already made a mark professionally and in the community."J Tapke also serves as an assistant Kenton County attorney where she prosecutes misdemeanor offenses and handles civil matters for Kenton County. She was previously recognized for similar service with the Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division's inaugural "Service to Community" award in 2012.J Margaret "Maggie" Keane, partner at Bingham Greenebaum Doll, has been named chair of the Legal Aid Society 2013 Justice for All Campaign. Proceeds from the 2013 campaign will help the Legal Aid Society continue its mission of pursuing justice for people living in poverty. Keane is a member of Bingham Greenebaum Doll's Litigation Practice Group. Her practice focuses on defense of products, liability actions, general commercial litigation, defending employers in various employment actions, and repre- 63 The American Association for Justice ("AAJ") recently selected Jennifer L. Lawrence and Jennifer A. Moore to co-chair a new national litigation group focused on investigating the da Vinci Surgical Robot and any injuries the use of the robot allegedly causes during surgery. B&B; • 11.13