Bench & Bar September/October 2026

in Pensacola in 2019, where she was tenured and promoted as an associate professor in the legal studies pre-law program. She writes in the areas of domestic violence, human trafficking, prison educa tion, and legal history. Professor Brinkley's book "Justice Was Her Calling: The Fierce and Fascinating Life of Dorothy Kenyon" is the first biography on the life of Kenyon--a judge, lawyer and activist.

of the Bluegrass Community Foundation, Leadership Lexington Youth Program, and the Fayette County Bar Foundation. She has been recognized as Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” for Insurance Law from 2021 through 2026. Bouvier earned her B.A. in Spanish and International Studies from Centre College in 2008. She received her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2011. Vaughn & Smith, PLLC , is proud to announce that the real estate and construction law firm has grown with the additions of Finley A. Ransdell and Madilyn M. Nuxoll . Ransdell has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Ransdell is licensed to practice in Kentucky, where she assists clients in a variety of real estate litiga tion matters. She earned her B.A. from Florida Atlantic University, cum laude . Ransdell went on to earn her J.D. from University of Louis ville Brandeis School of Law, magna cum laude . Nuxoll has also joined the firm as an associate attorney. Nuxoll is licensed to practice in Ken tucky, where she assists clients in a variety of real estate litigation matters. She earned her B.A. from the University of Louisville, magna cum laude . Nuxoll went on to earn her J.D. from University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, magna cum laude . than 12,000 members nationwide. In her new role, Johnson will help shape AHLA’s educational programming and member engagement in post-acute long term care. Johnson is an 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 American Bar Association’s Health Law Section and the Kentucky Bar Association. She serves on the board of directors of the Car negie Center for Literacy & Learning and the Kentucky Nonprofit Network. Additionally, she is a member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission. The University of Dayton School of Law wel comes Jennifer L. Brinkley as an assistant professor of Law. Professor Brinkley is a grad uate of the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law. She will be teaching family law, criminal law, and evidence. Professor Brinkley previously taught at the University of Colorado at Denver and Western Kentucky Uni versity before joining the faculty at the University of West Florida The American Health Law Association (AHLA) has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC , attor ney Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnson to serve as vice chair of its post-acute long term services prac tice group, effective July 1, 2026. She will serve a three-year term. AHLA is the nation’s largest nonpartisan educational organization devoted to legal issues in the health care field, serving more

Local Corbin attorney Jessica Boggs has offi cially launched her solo legal practice, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive legal counsel to families throughout the Tri County area and Whitley County. The Law Office of Jessica Boggs, PLLC , focuses pri marily on family law, estate planning, business law, expungement, and personal injury cases,

handling other matters in general practice. Recognizing that many legal issues intersect with highly stressful family dynamics, such as capacity concerns, contested divorces, and late compliance audits, the practice focuses on delivering tailored, accessible legal solu tions. To better serve clients navigating physical limitations or high anxiety, the firm primarily offers flexible, remote consultations via phone and secure video conferencing (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.). Prior to opening her solo firm, Boggs developed deep roots within the local legal community, where she continues to serve as an active volunteer attorney with the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund (AppalRED Legal Aid), advocating for fixed-income individuals and disabled community members. The firm offers a complimentary, free 30-minute initial consultation for new clients. For inquiries, scheduling, or referral partnerships, please contact the firm directly at (859) 334-0698 or visit jessicaboggslaw.com.

Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) recently elected Stites & Harbison, PLLC , attorney Paige E. Riley to its board of direc tors. She will serve a three-year term. Founded in 1985, VIPS is a nonprofit that provides early intervention services to Kentucky and Indiana’s youngest children with blindness and low vision. Services include evaluations, in-home visits, and

access to resources that help parents and caregivers better under stand and support their child. Riley is an attorney based in Stites & Harbison’s Louisville office. As a member of the torts & insur ance practice service group, she handles a wide variety of litigation matters. She routinely represents health care providers in complex medical malpractice cases and represents nurses, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and a variety of allied health professionals in actions alleging significant personal injury or death. Her practice also includes product liability, professional liability, premises liability and motor carrier litigation. Riley is a member of the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section and the Kentucky Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. She serves as a student mentor for both the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. Thomas More recently announced that two community members assumed new leadership roles within the University’s Board of

61 bench & bar