Three KDDK Partners have been recognized as Evansville’s “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas by The Best Lawyers in America© 2027 Edition. As the title suggests, only one attorney is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location. Congratulations to our partners: Mark S. Samila, Shannon S. Frank, and Jake R. Fulcher.
KDDK Partner Jake R. Fulcher has been recognized as Evansville “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in Labor Law – Management. In his practice, Jake is a management-side labor lawyer who devotes a significant part of his practice to negotiating labor contracts and defending employers in labor arbitrations. Jake’s practice also includes union avoidance strategies, as well as counseling clients with labor agreements and the interpretation of those labor agreements in the day-to-day management of a business. Jake defends employers in both state and federal court and regularly appears in front of administrative agencies such as the NLRB, EEOC and DOL.
This year, KDDK Partner Shannon S. Frank earns Evansville “Lawyer of the Year” honors for her work in Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. This is her fouth time being named Lawyer of the year with three prior honors in Construction Law in the 2022, 2024, and 2026 editions. With a business background, she understands many of the issues facing business owners and key management personnel and works to develop effective solutions. Shannon assists many area builders, developers, subcontractors, and suppliers in the construction industry. In addition, Shannon’s work in the Evansville area’s housing industry has been recognized by the Southwestern Indiana Builders Association (SIBA).
For over a decade, Co-Managing Partner Mark S. Samila has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America©. This year, Mark has been named Evansville’s “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in two practice areas: Banking and Finance Law, and Trusts and Estates. Mark works extensively with privately owned businesses and their owners on the purchase and sale of businesses, equity investments, business and succession planning, and tax and estate planning. By blending his accounting and financial background with legal experience, he provides legal analysis grounded in a deep understanding of the business and financial implications of a client’s legal options.
Each year, The Best Lawyers in America© conducts an extensive peer-review process to compile a list of the best attorneys in a broad range of practice areas based on peer feedback from across the region. “Lawyer of the Year” recognitions is awarded to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area within their geographic region.
