The Best Lawyers in America© and The Best Lawyers in America© Ones to Watch have included 22 KDDK attorneys among their honorees. Through an extensive peer-review process, The Best Lawyers in America compiles a list of the best attorneys in a broad range of practice areas from across their region. Attorneys may be recognized as Best Lawyers or Ones to Watch in more than one practice area, and KDDK attorneys have been honored this year in a combined 27 unique practice areas here in the Evansville region.
“We appreciate that so many of our attorneys are recognized each year by our peers,” said Mark Samila, Co-Managing Partner. “This year’s list highlights several seasoned attorneys whose wealth of experience is being recognized by these awards for the first time, while also celebrating our younger attorneys who continue to expand their expertise and receive recognition in additional practice areas.”
Individual Attorneys Recognized for 2026
KDDK attorneys were chosen for inclusion in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in specific practice areas as follows:
- Jeff Ahlers, Partner: Insurance Law and Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- KAB Brasseale, Co-Managing Partner: Real Estate Law
- Maria Bulkley, Partner: Land Use and Zoning Law
- Allison Comstock, Partner: Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates
- Michael DiRienzo, Partner: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization* Law, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
- Monica Edwards, Partner: Environmental Law, Insurance Law, Real Estate Law
- Shannon Frank, Partner: Construction Law*, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates
- Jake Fulcher, Partner: Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Jeff Helfrich, Co-Managing Partner: Banking and Finance Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law
- Steve Hoar, Partner: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Construction
- Ashley Hollen: Business Organizations (Including LLCs and Partnerships), Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Steve Lavallo, Partner: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Trusts and Estates
- Mark McAnulty, Partner: Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Carrie Roelle, Partner: Labor Law – Management*, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Mark Samila, Co-Managing Partner: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)* Banking and Finance Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
- Mike Schopmeyer, Partner: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Construction Law, Economic Development Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Real Estate Law
- Ryan Schulz, Partner: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Corporate Law
- Steve Theising, Partner: Banking and Finance Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Health Care Law
- Seth Zirkle, Partner: Banking and Finance Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Real Estate Law.
*Denotes the additional distinction of “Lawyer of the Year” recognition in that practice area for 2026.
Congratulations to all!
