Bench & Bar March/April 2026

2026 ANNUAL CONVENTION OVERVIEW ON PAGE 6

including water and sewer cases, eminent domain, and planning and zoning matters. In addition to her energy work, she serves as counsel to equine regulatory clients, helping to ensure safety protocols are met in the horse racing industry. She serves on the Kentucky Cham ber Energy and Environmental Council and is a member of the Kentucky and Fayette County Bar associations, the FCBA Women

of the Honorable David A. Lanphear and serves Edmonson and Warren Counties. Simpson was one of three nominees selected by the Judicial Nominating Commission for her extensive expertise and commitment to the legal profession. A native of the region and an honors graduate of both Western Kentucky University and the Uni versity of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Simpson has been a cornerstone of ELPO Law’s family law practice since 2016. Her professional credentials include fellow of the American Acad emy of Matrimonial Lawyers; two-term chair of the IOLTA Board of Trustees, appointed by the Kentucky Supreme Court and KBA Trial Commissioner, appointed by the chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court. In addition to her litigation experience, Simpson is a recognized leader in mediation and collaborative law, bringing a balanced and resolution-focused approach to the bench.

Lawyers’ Association and Young Lawyers Divi sion, and the Central Kentucky American Inns of Court. Gifford is a member of Sturgill Turn er’s government & municipal law practice group, focusing on civil rights and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lit igation, employment law, and complex litigation involving state agencies. He works extensively with local governments and other public entities on employment and personnel issues, policies,

Stites & Harbison, PLLC , welcomes Andrew Barger to the firm’s Covington, Ky., office. He joins the firm as an attorney in both the con struction and business litigation service groups. Barger’s practice focuses on civil litigation, primarily on matters involving business and construction law. He also represents clients in contract drafting, review and negotiation. Before joining Stites & Harbison, he was an attorney

and regulations. He also has a growing practice in estate and trust planning. He founded and ran his own legal practice for many years, focusing on corporate law, estate planning and probate, contract and real estate law. Prior to joining Sturgill Turner, he served as a staff attorney for the Commonwealth of Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. He is a member of the Kentucky State Government Bar Association, the Kentucky and Fayette County Bar associations, the Kentucky Association of Administrative Adjudicators, and the Central Kentucky American Inns of Court.

with a regional civil litigation law firm in Northern Kentucky where he gained experience in various types of litigation. During law school, Barger was an associate editor for the Northern Kentucky Law Review. He also served as a law clerk for Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller . Between college and law school, he worked as a financial consultant. Barger earned his J.D., cum laude , from Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2024. He also earned his B.S. in agriculture with a minor in construction from The Ohio State University in 2014. Outside of the firm, he is active in the Kentucky, Northern Kentucky and Ohio Bar associations.

Keeana Sajadi Boarman joined Stoll Keenon PLLC (SKO) in January as member in the firm’s Lexington office. Boarman contributes to the firm’s business services and mergers and acqui sitions practice groups. She advises businesses, owners, and executives on complex transac tional matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, financing transactions, and strategic business planning

across a wide range of industries. Boarman is an alumnus of the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law (2008) and Duke University (B.S., economics, 2003). Fultz Maddox Dickens PLC is proud to announce that Caroline E. Wilson has joined the firm as an associate attorney, where she will practice with the firm’s corporate, real estate, and litigation groups. Wilson is licensed to practice in Kentucky, where she assists clients in a variety of business and real estate matters. She earned two B.A.’s from North Carolina State University, summa cum laude . Wilson went on to earn her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Fultz Maddox Dickens PLC is proud to announce that Anna Lucchese has joined the firm as an associate attorney, where she will practice with the firm’s commercial litigation group. Lucchese is licensed to practice in Ken tucky, where she assists clients in a variety of complex business and civil disputes, providing support at all stages of litigation. She earned her

B.A. from the University of Kentucky, summa cum laude . Lucchese went on to earn her J.D. from Belmont University College of Law.

Sturgill, Turner, Barker & Moloney, PLLC , welcomes partner Elizabeth A. Deener to the firm’s insurance litigation and liability defense and education law practice groups. Deener spe cializes in defending employment, civil rights, and general tort and liability claims against governmental and private entities, and coun sels school districts and their officials, private individuals, associations, and businesses during

English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP (ELPO Law) , is proud to announce that Governor Andy Beshear has appointed attorney Rebecca A. Simpson to serve as family law judge for the 8 th Judicial Circuit, Family Division 3. The appoint ment became effective December 16, 2025, and filled the vacancy created by the retirement

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