News

McBrayer PLLC is proud to announce that attorney Stephanie Zimdahl has been chosen to join the Leadership Louisville Class of 2027. 

McBrayer PLLC notches another year of exceptional client service with 50 attorneys honored in the 2027 editions of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — McBrayer is proud to announce that Member Mitchel Denham has been appointed by Governor Andy Beshear to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. 

On June 2, 2026, Member Neal Morris spoke at Moonshine University in downtown Louisville, sharing insights on state licensing and compliance with current and future distilled spirits industry professionals.

Supporting Kentucky’s bourbon and spirits industry goes beyond legal counsel. As trusted advisors to businesses across the distilled spirits industry, we enjoy helping businesses build a strong foundation for success through education, guidance, and practical experience.

McBrayer PLLC has added Colby Blair as Director of Operations, underscoring the firm’s continued commitment to enhancing client service delivery.

Congratulations to Valerie Michael on becoming a Member at McBrayer!

Valerie advises clients in the areas of healthcare regulatory law and legal ethics and malpractice. Her hard work, legal acumen, and commitment to client service over more than a decade of practice have earned her this designation.

Her elevation is evidence of the trust given to her by both clients and colleagues.

McBrayer PLLC has named Cary B. Howard, Jr., as Legal Ethics Practice Chair, expanding a role that reflects growing client demand and the firm’s continued focus on helping clients navigate risk with confidence. 

McBrayer congratulates Cherie DeVaux on training the winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, becoming the first woman trainer to do so in the race’s 152-year history.

We are proud to share that McBrayer has been named one of the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆!

Smiley Pete featured Managing Member Jaron Blandford and CEO James Frazier, III on March 31, highlighting McBrayer’s recent leadership transition. The attorneys discussed developments affecting the practice of law, with particular emphasis on how firms are adapting to evolving client expectations, shifting business realities, and changing market conditions.

McBrayer helped facilitate the successful completion of The Oaks at Woodland, a notable affordable housing project in Lexington.

Louisville Business First featured McBrayer Hospitality Law Practice Chair Stephen Amato and Intellectual Property Practice Chair Mari‑Elise Paul on March 1st. They were interviewed regarding how a proactive legal and intellectual property strategy can support long‑term growth for distilled spirits producers.

Louisville Business First featured Cindy Effinger, Co‑Managing Member at McBrayer, on February 23rd. She was interviewed regarding mentorship, relationship building, and navigating career challenges in the legal profession.

The partners of the Central Kentucky Business Authority received the Community Impact Award at the 144th annual Commerce Lexington gathering on January 29 for their work on the upcoming Central Kentucky Regional Business Park. Through its vision and regional partnership, the Authority unites Scott County, Madison County, the City of Berea, and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to support job creation, attract investment, and advance community growth across Central Kentucky. We applaud Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley, Madison County Judge-Executive Reagan Taylor, and Scott County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington for their leadership and commitment to regional progress.

Projects like the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority, supported by McBrayer attorneys Anne-Tyler Morgan and Neal Morris, demonstrate how true collaboration drives meaningful progress.

Louisville Business First's People On the Move in Louisville featured John R. Martin Jr., Of Counsel at McBrayer PLLC, on February 1st. He was featured regarding his addition to the firm’s Louisville office and his mediation practice.

The Lane Report featured James H. Frazier, III and Jaron Blandford of McBrayer PLLC on January 26th. They were quoted regarding changing leadership models and succession planning within the legal industry.

A Jefferson Circuit Court has reversed the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure’s decision to revoke the licenses of two Muhlenberg County physicians, ruling the Board acted without substantial evidence.

We are proud to share that a record number of McBrayer attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 Super Lawyers® and Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list. This year, forty of our lawyers were named, a testament to our firm’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

Louisville Business First's People On the Move in Louisville featured Jaron P. Blandford on December 9th. He was featured regarding his promotion to Managing Member at McBrayer PLLC.

Member Preston Worley, former Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilmember (2017–2024), has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Lexington For Everyone.

Louisville Business First featured Members James H. Frazier, III and Jaron Blandford of McBrayer PLLC on December 4th. They were quoted regarding a leadership transition that includes the firm’s first chief executive officer and a new managing member.

The Lane Report featured Members James H. Frazier III and Jaron Blandford on December 3rd. They were featured regarding the firm’s planned leadership transition and evolving management structure.

McBrayer is proud to announce a new era of leadership that honors our past while embracing our future.

Once again, McBrayer has been ranked among the region’s top law firms by Best Lawyers® in America, earning recognition across multiple practice areas in the 2026 edition of “Best Law Firms®.” The firm achieved distinctions in Regional Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 rankings, reflecting our continued commitment to excellence and client service.

As new technologies like AI deepfakes and digital likeness tools emerge, the conversation around NIL and personal brand protection has never been more relevant. 

McBrayer is proud to announce that Anne-Tyler Morgan has been appointed to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Louisville Business First featured Member Mari‑Elise Paul on November 13th. She was interviewed after being named one of the publication’s 20 People to Know in Law. Paul discussed her career in intellectual property law, her professional growth, and her perspectives on the legal profession.

Louisville Business First's "People On the Move in Louisville" featured Melissa Lonergan on October 28th. She was featured regarding her hire as an Associate in McBrayer PLLC’s Litigation practice group in Louisville.

Louisville Business First's People On the Move in Louisville featured Member Michael G. Erena on October 28th. He was featured regarding his addition to McBrayer PLLC as a Member in the firm’s Lexington office.

Member Preston Worley has been elected Chair of the Lexington History Museum Board of Trustees.

McBrayer PLLC proudly celebrates another year of growth and achievement, with a record-breaking 54 attorneys honored in the 2026 editions of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®.

News Archive

Member Jon A. Woodall has been elected to the board of directors of Meritas, a global alliance of independent law firms that serves the legal needs of companies across major jurisdictions and global markets. Woodall was elected to the position from the more than 9,200 attorneys in the Meritas member network and will serve a three-year term with six other lawyers from around the world.

Member Jon A. Woodall has been selected as a new member of the Lexington Advisory Board for Central Bank & Trust Co. 

Beginning modestly at the corner of Short and Upper streets in downtown Lexington, Central Bank has expanded into a key presence throughout the Bluegrass region, proudly supporting communities in Berea, Crestview Hills, Florence, Ft. Mitchell, Georgetown, Lexington, Louisville, Nicholasville, Richmond, Union, and Winchester. By operating advisory boards across its key markets, the bank sparks dynamic conversations between its leadership and emerging directors, fostering meaningful connections and collaborative strategies for the future. 

McBrayer PLLC is proud to announce that two of its esteemed Members, Mark Fenzel and Jack Wheat, ranked as Band 1 Attorneys in the 2025 edition of Chambers and Partners USA Guide. This elite recognition places them among the top attorneys in the nation within their respective practice areas.

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management, has recognized McBrayer PLLC once again as one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky, specifically in the small-sized employer category.

McBrayer Member Mari-Elise Paul has been recognized in the 2025 edition of WTR 1000 as one of the world's leading trademark practitioners.

On December 6, 2024, Lexington's Urban County Council signed an agreement to support a new regional economic development initiative called the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority. McBrayer Member Anne-Tyler Morgan and Associate Neal Morris played significant roles in helping to establish this new business park, which will be located in Berea, KY. This multi-county project is vital for Central Kentucky's efforts to create a strong foundation for job creation and community growth throughout the region. The Lexington Fayette Urban-County Government, the City of Berea, Madison County, and Scott County have all contributed to this investment and will manage the 300-acre park, which is currently known as Menelaus Industrial Park in Berea. 

Featured in the December issue of BARbriefs by the Louisville Bar Association, intellectual property attorneys Bruce Paul and Mari-Elise Paul have recently published the article "Generative Artificial Intelligence and Deepfakes Prompt a Need for Expanded Right of Publicity Protection in Kentucky."

McBrayer Member Mitchel Denham recently won two cases before the Kentucky Supreme Court—Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government v. Moore, -- S.W.3d --, 2024 WL 3930410 (Ky. 2024) and Hardin v. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, -- S.W. --, 2024 WL 3929570 (Ky. 2024). Both cases involved former Louisville Metro Police Department officers who appealed their terminations.  In both cases, the Louisville Metro Police Merit Board upheld the former officers’ terminations.

Once again, McBrayer has been ranked among the nation’s top law firms by Best Lawyers®, achieving recognition in their 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®. The firm continues to cement this status through continual growth, adding three new attorneys to its now largest-ever roster.

McBrayer has once again been distinguished as one of the leading law firms in the nation by Best Lawyers®, as recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®.

McBrayer PLLC is proud to announce that Member Mari-Elise Paul has been selected to lead the firm’s formidable Intellectual Property practice. Paul takes the helm of a practice that has seen extensive, innovative growth in recent years, and operates at the highest level within the Commonwealth.

McBrayer PLLC Economic Development Chair Anne-Tyler Morgan was delighted to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for American Welding & Gas's (“AWG”) new fill plant facility in Georgetown/Scott County on August 28, 2024. McBrayer's economic development team was honored to assist AWG in securing vital Kentucky tax incentives to bring this new facility to life.

In July, McBrayer Member Mitchel Denham was appointed by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg to serve as a member of the Louisville Economic Development Alliance (LEDA). LEDA, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, is tasked with leading business expansion, retention, and attraction initiatives. Its objectives include the development of a new citywide brand, and the facilitation of partnerships focused on talent development, small business and entrepreneur development, finance, and bonding, as well as policy analysis, research, and advocacy.

McBrayer Member Mitchel Denham has been re-appointed by Governor Andy Beshear for a second four-year term with the Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA). The LRAA is responsible for overseeing two major airports in Louisville: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU). These airports collectively offer nonstop service to more than 35 destinations through eight commercial airlines. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is recognized as a key player in the global cargo landscape, ranking as the third busiest cargo airport in North America and the sixth busiest in the world, notably serving as the location of UPS Worldport.

On Thursday, June 20th, the Summer Associates at McBrayer experienced a rare treat, joining the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs with leading trainer Cherie DeVaux and the Belladonna Racing Partnership. If the opportunity for law clerks to experience the Winner's Circle was a "Win," then highlighting McBrayer's ties to the equine community was a "Place." The Belladonna Racing Partnership and Ms. DeVaux even graciously shared the trophy with the McBrayer team.

McBrayer Associate Valerie Michael has been named to the Leadership Lexington's Class of 2024-2025. This program offers an opportunity to understand Lexington better and prepare for its challenges by meeting and learning from today’s leaders. Leadership Lexington broadens perspectives and allows participants to gain an increased understanding of community dynamics and public issues. 

McBrayer’s expansion continues with the addition of two Associate attorneys and a Chief Human Resources Officer in the Lexington and Louisville offices, further expanding the firm’s litigation and intellectual property groups and adding a trusted HR professional to firm administration.