Best Lawyers® 2007
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Discover who other lawyers say are the BEST in their business.

This list is excerpted from the 2007 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the pre-eminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States.

Published since 1983, Best Lawyers®lists attorneys in 77 specialties, representing all 50 states, who have been chosen through an exhaustive survey in which thousands of the nation’s top lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.

The 2007 edition of Best Lawyers®, published in September 2006, is based on more than 1.7 million evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. The method used to compile Best Lawyers® remains unchanged since the first edition was compiled more than 20 years ago. Lawyers are chosen for inclusion based solely on a vote of their peers. Listings cannot be bought, and no purchase is required to be included. In this regard, Best Lawyers®remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings.

The nomination pool for the 2007 edition consisted of all lawyers whose names appeared in the previous edition of Best Lawyers®, lawyers who were nominated since the previous survey, and new nominees solicited from listed attorneys. In general, lawyers were asked to vote only on nominees in their own specialty in their own jurisdiction. Lawyers in closely related specialties were asked to vote across specialties, as were lawyers in smaller jurisdictions. Where specialties are national or international in nature, lawyers were asked to vote nationally as well as locally. Voting lawyers were also given an opportunity to offer more detailed comments on nominees. Each year, half of the voting pool receives fax or email ballots; the other half is polled by phone.

Voting lawyers were provided this general guideline for determining if a nominee should be listed among “the best”: “If you had a close friend or relative who needed a real estate lawyer (for example), and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” All votes and comments were solicited with a guarantee of confidentiality - a critical factor in the viability and validity of Best Lawyers® surveys.

To ensure the rigor of the selection process, lawyers were urged to use only their highest standards when voting, and to evaluate each nominee based only on his or her individual merits. The additional comments were used to make more accurate comparisons between voting patterns and weight votes accordingly. Best Lawyers® uses various methodological tools to identify and correct for anomalies in both the nomination and voting process. Ultimately, of course, a lawyer’s inclusion is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow attorneys. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, the breadth of the survey, the candor of the respondents, and the sophistication of the polling methodology largely correct for any biases.

For all these reasons, Best Lawyers®lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful guide to the best lawyers in the United States available anywhere. Best Lawyers®lists are available at www.bestlawyers.com. “Best Lawyers,” and “The Best Lawyers in America” are registered trademarks of Woodward/White, Inc.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
EVANSVILLE
Ross E. Rudolph
Rudolph, Fine, Porter & Johnson, LLP
221 N.W. Fifth St.,
Evansville, IN 47706
(812) 422-9444

Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
HENDERSON
Merritt S. Deitz, Jr.
Deitz & Freeburger
101 First St.,
Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 830-0830

Sandra D. Freeburger
Deitz & Freeburger
101 First St.,
Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 830-0830

OWENSBORO
Ronald J. Bamberger
Bamberger, Abshier & Brancato
111 W. Second St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 926-4000

Michael A. Fiorella
Sullivan, Mountjoy, Stainback & Miller
100 St. Ann St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 926-4000

Construction Law
EVANSVILLE
Dirck H. Stahl
Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders, LLP
One Riverfront Place,
20 N.W. First St.,
Evansville, IN 47706
(812) 424-7575

Energy Law
EVANSVILLE
George A. Porch
Bowers Harrison, LLP
25 N.W. Riverside Drive,
Evansville, IN 47706
(812) 426-1231

Family Law
VINCENNES
J. David Roellgen
Emison, Doolittle, Kolb and Roellgen,
801 Busseron St.,
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 882-2280

Oil & Gas
OWENSBORO
Bryan R. Reynolds
Sullivan, Mountjoy, Stainback & Miller
100 St. Ann St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 926-4000

Non-White Collar Criminal Defense
EVANSVILLE
Dennis L. Brinkmeyer
525 Sycamore St.,
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 423-3125

Personal Injury Litigation
EVANSVILLE
Charles L. Berger
Berger & Berger
313 Main Street,
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 425-8101

OWENSBORO
Charles E. Moore
Moore, Malone & Safreed
104 E. Fourth St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 683-4513

Marvin P. Nunley
McCarroll, Nunley & Hartz
111 E. Third St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 683-4513

R. Frank Stainback
Sullivan, Mountjoy, Stainback & Miller
100 St. Ann St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 926-4000

Ronald M. Sullivan
Sullivan, Mountjoy, Stainback & Miller
100 St. Ann St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 926-4000

Trusts and Estates
EVANSVILLE
Diane L. Bender
111 S.E. Third St., Suite 402,
Evansville, IN 47706
(812) 423-8558

Brian K. Carroll
Johnson, Carroll, Norton, Kent & Straus, P.C.
2230 W. Franklin St.,
Evansville, IN 47719
(812) 425-4466

VINCENNES
Jeffrey B. Kolb
Emison, Doolittle, Kolb & Roellgen
801 Busseron St.,
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 882-2280

OWENSBORO
George Thacker II
Thacker, Bickel, Hodskins & Thacker
209 W. Fourth St.,
Owensboro, KY 42302
(270) 926-4500

White Collar Criminal Defense
EVANSVILLE
Dennis L. Brinkmeyer
525 Sycamore St.,
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 423-3125

Ross E. Rudolph What one book, movie, or TV show best portrays what a lawyer’s life is really like? I don’t think any book, movie, or TV show accurately portrays what a lawyer’s life is really like, which is why I rarely read a book or watch movies/TV shows about lawyers. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to a young person considering a career in law? In this day and age, it is imperative you are prepared to provide high quality service and be readily accessible to address your clients’ needs. What is your favorite saying, motto, or quote that best describes lawyers or the law? One of my favorites: “I am not a pessimist, but an optimist who suffers a lot.” I will also add this thought: “Those who complain our society is too complex and has too many lawyers do have options. Those options are called Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan (to name a few).” Dirck H. Stahl When did you first know you wanted to be a lawyer? In college.The dream of being a professional philosopher lost its luster when I realized that I had to eat to survive, and that beer-inspired ideas are not bankable. Also, my friends claimed I would argue with a signpost. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to a young person considering a career in law? The law and a career in law is not just a choice but a commitment not to be taken lightly. It will make you miserable if you do it for the wrong reasons. The right reason is never “because it sounds interesting and I want to make lots of money.” What is your favorite saying, motto, or quote that best describes lawyers or the law? "Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.” –Abraham Lincoln. Charles L. Berger When did you first know you wanted to be a lawyer? When I was in the 8th grade. I always looked up to my father (the late Sidney Berger), and I wanted to work with him and do the work he did. Who is your legal hero? Somebody you model your professional life after? My father was my hero and still is even though he is no longer alive. As for current attorneys, Morris Dees (of the Southern Poverty Law Center) is a truly remarkable human being who is a role model in the law and in life. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to a young person considering a career in law? If you want to be a lawyer in litigation, be prepared to work very long hours and develop the ability to deal with more stress than you will find in most occupations. George A. Porch When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? When I failed high school chemistry, then was chosen to be an attorney in a moot trial on Law Day...and WON! Who is my legal hero model? Abraham Lincoln. I recall stories about Lincoln walking miles to return a few cents. So, while in Washington, D.C., during a snowstorm, a taxi driver dropped me off, and I promised to be back for his return so he would have a return fare. Later, after waiting a cold hour for the taxi driver who never returned, I walked. It is not imperative another keeps his or her bargain so long as you keep yours. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to a young person considering a career in law? First get your life in order for law is certain to disrupt it. Diane L. (Wolf) Bender When did you first know you wanted to be a lawyer? I first knew I wanted to be a lawyer when I was in high school. I had the benefit of learning from two older brothers who were then either in the process of applying to law school or seriously considering it. Both brothers did become lawyers. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to a young person considering a career in law? I would advise the young person to try to obtain a summer job working for a law firm in order to see what is involved in the practice of law. Dennis L. Brinkmeyer When did you first know you wanted to be a lawyer? In the early 1960s, my father was involved in politics, which influenced my decision to go to law school. Who is your legal hero? The late Ted Lockyear. What is the one piece of advice you would give a young person considering a career in law? Find a great place to live and practice law there. What is your favorite quote that best describes lawyers? “Time and advice are a lawyer’s stock in trade.” –Abraham Lincoln Brian K. Carroll Who is your legal hero? My father, John Carroll, is someone who I always admired, respected, and was my hero and mentor. He and Edwin Johnson, who founded our law firm, proved that you can be a very effective lawyer and still conduct yourself as a true gentleman. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to a young person considering a career in law? Any course of study or work experience that will improve your writing and critical thinking skills will be very useful in law school and in the practice of law. What is your favorite saying, motto, or quote that best describes law? “Where law ends, tyranny begins.”

These lists are excerpted from The Best Lawyers in America®2007, which includes listings for over 29,000 lawyers in 80 specialties, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Best Lawyers in America®is published by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, S.C. and can be ordered directly from the publisher. For information call 803-648-0300; write 129 First Avenue, SW, Aiken, S.C. 29801; e-mail info@bestlawyers.com; or visit www.bestlawyers.com. Online subscriptions to Best Lawyers®databases are available at www.bestlawyers.com Woodward/White Inc., has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All listed attorneys have been verified as being members in good standing with their respective state bar associations as of August 1, 2006, where that information is publicly available. Consumers should contact their state bar for verification and additional information prior to securing legal services of any attorney. Copyright 2006 by Woodward/ White, Inc., Aiken, S.C. All rights reserved.This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of this list may be made without permission of Woodward/White, Inc. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of this list without permission.