Bench & Bar September/October 2025

David Rosenberg College of Law. In Louisville, partner Christina “Nina” Norris joins the firm’s litigation department focusing on transportation and insurance defense with support from associate Cash Collins . Norris earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans, La. Collins has a B.A. in political science from the University of Louisville and earned his J.D. from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. Associate Kathleen Thompson joined Dinsmore’s Louisville office in June, focused on complex civil and criminal litigation, and drawing on more than a decade of expe rience in both public service and private practice. Early in her legal career, she clerked for Judge Edward B. Atkins in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. She earned her B.A. in government from Centre College and her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Stewart Inn of Court. He also taught trial practice as an adjunct professor at Chase Law School. Forbes recently selected four Stites & Harbison, PLLC , attorneys for inclusion on its inaugural America’s Best-in-State Lawyers 2025 list. The new list recognizes exceptional private practice attorneys in all 50 states. Forbes’ editorial team used a “rigorous, multi-stage pro cess of researching, evaluating and rating thousands of candidates.” Researchers focused on significant achievements and leadership gathered from interviews with industry insiders, outside nomina tions and recommendations from an independent advisory board of experts. The firm’s 2025 Kentucky honorees include: Thad M. Barnes , commercial litigation; Bethany A. Breetz , appellate law; and Carol Dan Browning , product liability. The firm’s 2025 Ten nessee honorees include: Erika R. Barnes , bankruptcy.

Kinkead & Stilz is pleased to welcome Jessica Pratt as the firm’s newest litigation partner. Pratt brings over two decades of experience in the defense of medical malpractice and wrongful death claims. Her practice focuses on represent ing healthcare providers - including hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians, and nurses - throughout Kentucky and Ohio. A native of

Knott County, Ky., Pratt began her legal career with the New Jersey Superior Court before spending seven years practicing MedMal defense in New York City. She later returned to her home state, where she has built a respected litigation practice representing medical professionals across the region. Pratt earned her J.D. from New England Law in 2002 and her B.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1999. She is an active member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Cincinnati Bar Associ ation, Defense Research Institute, and the Kentucky Academy of Hospital Attorneys.

Carol Browning

Thad M. Barnes

Bethany Breetz

Erika Barnes

Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP , recently announced that it is launching a aoftware practice group as a way to better organize and enhance its already robust work for software developers and licensees. Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP, maintains an active national practice with five offices located in Louisville and Lexington, Ky.; New Albany, Ind.; and Memphis and Nashville, Tenn. The firm’s structured and industry-focused practice groups enable efficient and effective delivery of legal services.

Grant Grissom joined Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC in 2025 as an associate in their Louisville office, where he serves multiple practice groups, including business litigation, business owner disputes, business torts, and tort, trial & insur ance services. Grissom’s diverse background and deep understanding of complex legal landscapes has prepared him to guide his clients to their goals with excellence.

The Leadership Louisville Center has selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC , attorney Chadwick A. McTighe to participate in the Leadership Louisville Class of 2026. The 65-member class will spend 10 months of training and hands-on experiences with local leaders who currently tackle the community’s biggest challenges. McTighe is a member (partner) of Stites &

Harbison based in the Louisville office. He serves on the firm’s management committee and is co-chair of the firm’s class action team. He advises and represents clients in a wide range of business and commercial litigation matters, including extensive practice in class action litigation, shareholder and membership disputes, real estate litigation, data breaches and fiduciary duty litigation. He has practiced in a number of state and federal courts and has success fully argued multiple issues of first impression resulting in published appellate decisions. He has also served as a special justice for the Kentucky Supreme Court. Steven D. Slahta graduated with a J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in December 1975 and was subsequently admitted to the Kentucky Bar in May 1976. Following his admission

Thomas Law Offices is proud to welcome Ron Parry to their Cincinnati office. With over 50 years of legal experience, Parry is a seasoned trial attorney with a strong background in com plex litigation, including mass torts and class actions. He has successfully tried more than 50 jury trials and served as lead or co-lead counsel in major consumer and insurance class actions. Licensed in Kentucky and Ohio, he has long

been a leader in the legal community. He’s held positions such as president of the Kentucky Chapter of ABOTA, Board Member of the Kentucky Justice Association, and Master of the Bench in the Potter

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