Bench & Bar March/April 2026

WHO, WHAT, WHEN & WHERE

English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP (ELPO Law) , is pleased to announce that attorney J.A. Sowell was named a partner of the firm, effec tive January 1, 2026. Since joining ELPO Law in August 2017, Sowell has become a vital member of the firm’s litigation and personal injury teams. He focuses his practice on defense litigation for municipalities across Kentucky, representing counties, sheriff’s departments, and jails. In

years inside the construction industry, most recently as vice pres ident and general counsel of Gray, one of the largest design-build firms in the country. In that role, he worked directly with executives, project teams, and owners on complex contracts, disputes, and risk decisions across the United States. The firm provides construction law, contract, and outside general counsel services to contractors, developers, and growing businesses across the country, while main taining a strong base in Kentucky and the broader Southeast. Simon serves on the board as an advisory member for LPX Group in Louis ville, Ace Consulting in Nicholasville, and Evans Contracting Group in Charleston, S.C., helping leadership teams navigate responsible growth. Simon Law also operates with a community-first model. The firm donates 10 percent of its annual profits to charities selected by its clients. More information is available at www.simonlawky.com. (Attorney Advertising).

addition to his work with public entities, Sowell handles electric utility defense, landlord-tenant disputes, collections, and personal injury cases. A Bowling Green native, Sowell, earned his undergrad uate degree from Western Kentucky University before graduating from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army

Evan Wright joined Fultz Maddox Dickens PLC in 2016 and was elected partner in 2026. Wright prac tices commercial litigation, focusing on business disputes, real estate development and construction, and healthcare matters. He regularly advises and represents institutional property owners, contractors,

suppliers, and design professionals nationwide in the enforcement and defense of contract and lien claims. Wright also has extensive experience in healthcare-re lated matters and litigation, including payor-provider disputes, managed care contracting issues, and regula tory compliance. He earned his B.A. from the University of Kentucky (2015) and his J.D. from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law (2018).

Traditional Real Estate Agent

Neutral role unless scope formally changes by agreement Designed to reduce conflict and keep matters moving Trained in divorce time lines, access issues and conflict sensitivity Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE®) Case-aware and settlement-focused Neutral FMV analysis prepared for settlement discussions Attorney-aligned communication with defined reporting

Transaction-focused

Role Definition

CMA prepared for pricing only

Valuation Approach

Client-driven, consumer style communication

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton recently appointed Stites & Har bison, PLLC , attorney Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnson to the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning Board of Directors. The appointment was confirmed by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council. She

Communication

Limited familiarity with divorce dynamics Dual agency permitted in KY but challenging in divorce matters. Risk of delays, disputes, or misalignment

Process Awareness

Neutrality

Case Impact

will serve a four-year term. The Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning is a non-profit organization that promotes literacy among residents of Fayette County. The center offers a wide variety of services, including seasonal classes on writing, publishing and languages; tutoring for students from grades K-12; youth and family programs as well as outreach programs for children and adults. Johnson is a member (partner) based in Stites & Harbison’s Lexington office. She concentrates her practice on all aspects of health care law, focusing on regulatory matters impacting both providers and payors. Johnson is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the American Health Law Association.

Melia Hord is Central Kentucky’s only Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert® (CDRE®)

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