Bench & Bar September/October 2025

KENTUCKY BAR FOUNDATION

The Kentucky Bar Foundation (KBF) is proud to welcome 39 new Fellows from across the Commonwealth. Thanks in part to the generosity of these and hundreds of other KBF Fellows, the Foundation is able to support law-related non profit programs and projects throughout the Commonwealth through its annual grants. The Kentucky Bar Foundation Welcomes

Ne

Amy Hale Chandler of Bowling Green is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky Univer sity Chase College of Law. She began her career as a prosecutor immediately upon admission to the Bar in 1996 as an Assistant Warren County Attorney. Ms. Chandler is the first woman to be appointed and elected

Alexander D. Blackwell of Paducah practices law with the Denton Law Firm, PLLC. A graduate of the University of Louisville and the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, he was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 2017. Mr. Blackwell was enrolled as a Life Fellow by Triple I Proper ties, Inc. at the 8 th Annual Judge Edward H. Johnstone Award Dinner.

as Warren County Attorney, first being appointed on April 1, 2004, and then elected to the position in November 2004, and has con sistently served in the Office through multiple terms. Ms. Chandler was enrolled as a Life Fellow by Reynolds Johnston Hinton, LLP at the Inaugural Chief Justice Minton Award Dinner.

R. Keith Cullinan of Louisville practices law at Cullinan Associates, Inc. A graduate of Yale University and the Univer sity of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, he was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1963. Mr. Cullinan is a Life Fellow.

Jacob R. Blankenship of Paducah practices law with the law firm of Keuler, Kelly, Hutchins, Blankenship & Sigler, LLP. A graduate of the Univer sity of Louisville and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, he was admit ted to the Kentucky Bar in 2021 and is also a member of the Ohio Bar. Mr. Blan

Heather H. Denton of Paducah is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law. She was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1995 and is also a member of the Illinois Bar. Ms. Denton enrolled as a Life Fellow in conjunction with the 8 th Annual Judge Edward H. John stone Award Dinner.

kenship was enrolled as a Life Fellow by Keuler, Kelly, Hutchins, Blankenship & Sigler, LLP at the 8 th Annual Judge Edward H. Johnstone Award Dinner. James B. Brien, Jr. (1942-2017) of Mayfield was a former partner of The Law Offices of Neely, Brien, Wilson & Toombs. A graduate of Murray State University and the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, he was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1969. Mr. Brien was honored posthumously as a Life Fellow by his family at the 8 th Annual Judge Edward H. Johnstone Award Dinner.

Marjorie A. Farris of Louis ville practices law with the law firm Stites & Harbison. A graduate of the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, she was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1995. Ms. Farris is a Life Fellow.

Vanessa B. Cantley of Louisville practices law with the law firm Bahe Cook Cantley & Nefzger PLC. A graduate of Bel larmine University and the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, she was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 2004 and is also a member of the Indiana Bar. Ms. Cantley is a Life Fellow.

Jane Lyle Ghaelian of Lexington is a graduate of Witten berg University and the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law. She was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 2012. Ms. Ghaelian was enrolled as a Life Fellow by Charles E. English, Jr. and Lisa English Hinkle at the Inaugural Chief Justice Minton Award Dinner.

40 september/october 2025