Bench & Bar September/October 2026

WHO, WHAT, WHEN & WHERE

The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF) is proud to announce it has presented its 2026 John L. McClaugherty Award to Brian Wells . The McClaugherty Award is the Foundation’s highest honor and recognizes outstanding con tributions to the field of energy and mineral law, and to EMLF. It is named after the late John L. McClaugherty, a founding member and former

president of the organization. Wells has been a member of EMLF for over 20 years, and has served in numerous leadership roles, including as president of the Board of Trustees in 2015-2016. He was recognized by EMLF not only for his deep commitment to his work, but also for his kindness and collegiality. He has a genuine desire to help others, and his steady leadership has made a signifi cant impact on EMLF and on many other organizations. Wells is a partner at Bricker Graydon Wyatt in Lexington where he concen trates his practice in the area of general business law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate lending transactions, commercial leasing, and contract drafting and negotiation. Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Andrew Dorisio has been listed as a 2026 IP Star, patent and trademark, by Managing Intellectual Property. Managing Intellectual Property’s 2026 IP Stars is the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to leading IP firms and lawyers. Managing Intellectual Property researchers in London, New York, and Hong Kong collected market information, analyzed it, and ranked firms in tiers based on the feedback from thousands of practitioners.

HAVE AN ITEM FOR WHO, WHAT, WHEN & WHERE? The Bench & Bar welcomes brief announcements about member placements, promotions, relocations and honors. Notices are printed at no cost and must be submitted by email to Shannon Roberts at sroberts@kybar.org. Digital photos must be a minimum of 300 dpi and two (2) inches tall from top of head to shoulders. There is a $15 fee per photograph, plus a processing fee. Photo fees must be paid online at kybar.org/About-Us/

Leadership Lexington has selected Stites & Har bison, PLLC , attorney Gentry C. Collins as a member of the 2026-27 Leadership Lexington program. Through the 11-month program, par ticipants are provided with opportunities to gain a better understanding of Lexington and the challenges it faces by meeting with and learn ing from today’s leaders. Collins is a member

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(partner) based in the Lexington office. She is a member of the firm’s trusts & estates service group. Gentry advises individuals, families and business owners on estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax planning, business succession strategies, elder law matters and fiduciary disputes. She helps clients develop tailored plans to achieve their long-term objectives while navigating complex estate, gift and inheritance tax issues.

trusts, charitable planning, and complex family considerations. She received her J.D. from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and earned her B.A. in Journalism summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky.

McBrayer PLLC expands its estate planning team with the addition of Catherine Hayden to its Louisville and Lexington offices. Hayden brings 14 years of experience divided between private practice and as a trust officer to provide exceptional client service, helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of estate planning and administration. Drawing

Minner Vines is pleased to announce the addition of Katie Bouvier as its pre-litigation attorney. Bouvier has focused her civil litigation practice on insurance coverage, commercial vehicle litigation, maritime litigation, and con struction defect matters since 2019. Before entering civil practice, she served as a felony prosecutor with the Fayette Commonwealth's

on experience as both a private practice attorney and former trust officer at PNC, she helps individuals and families create practical, effective plans tailored to their goals. She advises clients on wills,

Attorney's Office from 2012 to 2019. She is active in the legal com munity as president of the FCBA Women's Law Association, editor of Kentucky Instructions to Juries (Criminal), and a board member

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