Our Team

Lee Coleman has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. He is one of the region’s most pronounced attorneys and knows the ins-and-outs of all things personal injury. For Lee, it’s not just about your case – it’s about your story. Hughes & Coleman fights so that YOUR story can be heard.

Mr. Coleman is now the Managing Partner and majority owner of Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers, a firm he co-founded in 1985 with J. Marshall Hughes. The firm has grown during its 37 years, and currently has over 30 attorneys and 10 offices in Kentucky and Tennessee, and an affiliated firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lee is proud that two of his sons, Benjamin and Andrew, are personal injury attorneys practicing with H&C. Lee earned his Law Degree from the University of Louisville, graduating in 1981, and earned his undergraduate Business Administration degree from the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1978.

During the first two years of his career Lee was a Prosecutor with the Warren County Attorney’s office in Bowling Green, Kentucky, representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky in Criminal, Traffic, and Juvenile cases. As a Prosecutor Lee tried approximately 50 jury trials, gaining valuable courtroom and trial experience while going up against well prepared and tenacious defense attorneys. With the experience gained as a Prosecutor, Lee was ready to move into private practice, working for one year as an Associate Attorney for Gary Logsdon, a veteran attorney, before starting his own law firm in 1984.

While working for Mr. Logsdon, Lee worked on Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases for consumers who could not pay their bills. Lee found that most of these clients were hard-working people just down on their luck, often because they had lost their job or had huge medical bills. Lee built on this experience, and in the process became the first local attorney to use paid legal advertisements to attract new clients. Lee ran classified ads in the local newspapers, offering to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases for a low flat rate. His clients hired him because it was a fair offer, and they needed help.

In 1985 Lee and Mr. Hughes started Hughes & Coleman, and Lee began representing injury victims. Lee found that the clients who hired H&C needed help, and that he enjoyed helping them. Most of his clients were workers injured in a wreck or on the job. During those early years, Lee was the lead attorney in charge of the H&C courtroom work, including trying at least 20 cases to a Jury Verdict. Today H&C aggressively pursues maximum compensation for each of their thousands of injured clients.

In today’s world, TV lawyer ads are accepted, but in the 1980’s most lawyers considered TV ads distasteful and unprofessional. In 1987, when H&C first ran TV ads on local TV in Bowling Green, Kentucky, they were the first local law firm to do so. As an Injury Law Firm H&C faced opposition from the Kentucky Bar Association which ruled that H&C’s TV ads could not use the phrase “Injury Lawyers.” Mr. Coleman believed the decision to be unconstitutional and directed the firm’s Appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which in 2001 unanimously ruled that the use of “Injury Lawyers” was proper.

Mr. Coleman’s efforts and accomplishments have been widely recognized, including being named as a Kentucky Super Lawyer in Personal Injury since 2012, and being awarded an AV Rating, the highest rating given, by the nation’s preeminent Attorney Rating service, Martindale- Hubbell®. Since the 1990’s Lee has presided over the M&L Legal Marketing and Management, a seminar attended by Personal Injury law firms, helping him develop close ties with successful injury lawyers across the country.

Outside of H&C, Lee stays active through travel with his wife and family, playing golf, bicycling, and snow skiing. Lee’s wife of 41 years is Warren District Court Judge, the Hon. JoAnn Spinks Coleman, retired. In addition to Ben and Andrew, their third son Johnathan is a physician in Chicago. Lee and JoAnn have six grandchildren.

Throughout his childhood, Benjamin had the honor of seeing the hard work and dedication his father, Lee Coleman, put into developing an extremely successful business. He watched as the firm grew with a focus of helping people and doing things the right way. Seeing the fulfillment and the passion it ignited in his father is what inspired Benjamin to pursue a career in law.

Benjamin has always had an interest in helping others. In high school, he tutored children at the Boys and Girls Club to help develop their math skills. From there, he learned he felt a great sense of accomplishment and purpose when helping others.

In pursuit of his passions, he decided to attend Western Kentucky University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business economics. Following his undergraduate studies, he moved to Lexington with his wife and children to attend J. David Rosenburg College of Law at the University of Kentucky. Benjamin passed the Kentucky State Bar and the TN State Bar in 2015 and began working as a practicing attorney at Hughes & Coleman, alongside his father.

His younger brother, Andrew Coleman, also joined the team after attending law school and passing the Kentucky State Bar in 2017. Working alongside Andrew is also an experience that Benjamin cherishes greatly.

At Hughes & Coleman, Benjamin utilizes his desire for helping others to fight for the results his clients need. He understands that when someone is injured due to the negligence of another, their life can be turned upside down. Day in and day out, he maintains excitement for his future as a personal injury attorney and his ability to serve his community alongside the rest of his Hughes & Coleman family. Being able to see first-hand the passion his father and younger brother have for helping others and getting to work side by side with them is the highlight of Benjamin’s career.

Currently, Benjamin currently serves as the Director of the Nursing Home Litigation Department helping to ensure that victims of nursing home abuse and neglect get the justice they deserve.

Outside of advocating for our clients, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Allison, and their three boys. He finds great joy participating and supporting the interests of his sons, including keyboard construction, Rubik’s cube strategy, dice stacking, clay sculpting, origami and more. He personally delights in hiking and camping (particularly in Red River Gorge – especially when Miguel’s Pizza is open), volleyball with his wife and her family, golf, playing guitar and dabbling in amateur carpentry.

Andrew’s childhood was shaped by the legal world. His mother, JoAnn Coleman, is a former District Court Judge, and his father, Lee Coleman, is a personal injury lawyer. Conversations around the house would often revolve around legal work and case facts – topics that didn’t interest Andrew much during adolescence. However, as he continued into adulthood, Andrew discovered that the legal industry was becoming more and more captivating.

Although increasingly intrigued by the practice of law, Andrew initially decided to embark on a path different from his parents and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Accounting. At the end of his undergraduate experience, however, he realized he wouldn’t find fulfillment in an Accounting career. Therefore, Andrew changed course and enrolled in Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law. During his time at Chase, he participated in a mock hearing and found his passion for trial law. He also completed an internship for the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy. Through these experiences, he saw how his future in the legal industry could impact lives and create real change, which reinforced his desire to be a trial attorney.

Andrew graduated from law school in 2017, completed and passed the Kentucky Bar Examination, and then launched his career as a lawyer working at Hughes & Coleman. In his years as an attorney, he has witnessed the underhanded tactics insurance companies use to coerce injured victims into taking a lower settlement than they deserve. Far too often, the initial insurance offer barely accounts for the personal loss that a client currently feels, and it certainly doesn’t project or account for the additional loss they will have to manage for the remainder of their life.

Andrew knows the importance of digging deeper into a client’s story to understand the full scope of how an injury has impacted them. While the insurance company may only see an injured victim as a computer-generated settlement amount, Andrew sees the mother and the impact an injury has on her life.

Andrew is motivated each day by being part of a team with a goal to constantly push itself to do what is best for its clients. Being of service to others is the greatest pleasure in his life, tied only with being a husband and a father.

Oftentimes, the clients Andrew serves are experiencing some of the greatest challenges they’ve ever faced. These individuals are left to pick up the pieces and try to get back to the life they had prior to their wreck. He is thankful each day he gets to work at a personal injury law firm that advocates for victims and comforts those in vulnerable situations.

In addition to his passion for helping injured victims, Andrew loves God and his family. He enjoys spending nights and weekends with his wife and daughters, as well as spending weekdays and weekends with his parents, brothers, and extended family members. He is proud of the faith-filled life he lives and looks forward to helping injured individuals alongside the Hughes & Coleman team for many years to come.

J. Marshall Hughes, now acting of counsel, founded Hughes & Coleman law firm alongside Lee Coleman in 1985. For over 35 years, he dedicated himself to bettering the firm he helped start. Throughout that time, he was also a businessman, farmer and hunter.

As a graduate of Western Kentucky University, J. Marshall’s roots in the Kentucky and Tennessee area run deep. He earned his B.A. from Western Kentucky University and continued his education at Indiana University School of Law to obtain his J.D. After that, he returned to Bowling Green and helped found Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers.

Throughout the years, J. Marshall has assisted in recovering millions for clients, and his credentials speak volumes. He was awarded the Top 10 Attorney Award by the National Academy of PI Attorneys, as well as the Top 100 Trial Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, American Judicature Society, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and Kentucky Justice Association. J. Marshall’s long standing mission has always been to make the communities around him a better place. After all, he knows that it is not just the clients that are part of the Hughes & Coleman family – it is the members of the communities too.

This is why he has helped found several non-profit organizations aimed at increasing safety awareness and saving lives. He co-founded Kids Are Special®, a program aimed at protecting and encouraging children in our communities to practice safe habits. It promotes the fingerprinting of children for identification purposes and encourages bicycle safety through the sale of certified bike helmets for a fraction of the typical cost. He is an avid supporter of the Butler County Boys & Girls Club, an organization that provides programs, resources and assistance to children and teens. J. Marshall also co-founded Arrive Alive, a program aimed at bringing awareness to children in the south central Kentucky area about the dangers of driving or riding with someone under the influence of alcohol. It encourages teens and parents to sign a pledge not to drink and drive.

In fall of 2022, after decades of service to our clients and community, J. Marshall Hughes decided to take a step back from practicing law to focus on his life outside of the legal industry. While he remains of counsel at Hughes & Coleman, he is currently enjoying quality time with his wife, Judith Given Hughes, as well as their two children and three grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman, J. Marshall has always enjoyed hunting and fishing – as shown by his memberships of the North American Hunting Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Quail Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association, National Parks and Conservation Association and the National Geographic Society. He hopes to continue pursuing his outdoor adventures for many years to come.

We appreciate all J. Marshall Hughes has done for the Hughes & Coleman clients, team, families, and community.

Jonathan Barnes is a personal injury attorney who has helped hundreds of clients in Kentucky, securing millions in compensation for injury victims throughout the state. His passion for helping others is rooted in the knowledge and experienced he gained as a clerk for a personal injury and employment discrimination firm he had during law school.

Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Political Science at University of Kentucky and went on to continue his education to receive his Juris Doctor at University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Upon passing the bar in 2021, Jonathan took on the role as a personal injury lawyer for a law firm in Kentucky, continuing his work to help those who were injured due to someone else’s negligence.

During law school, Jonathan was a member of the Journal of Animal and Environmental Law, where his research note, “Applicable Requirements for Agency Defense: Closing a Circuit Spilt Regarding the EPA’s Clean Air Act Title V Interpretation”, was selected for publication. Additionally, Jonathan was involved in other extracurricular activities, including sitting on a moot court team (which focused on improving oral advocacy) and teaching writing skills to high school students as a member of a partnership with Central High School in Louisville.

Jonathan is a proud member of the National Trial Lawyers Association, the Kentucky Justice Association, and the American Association for Justice. He’s also a member of the State Bar of Kentucky and the Eastern and Western Kentucky Districts of the United States District Court.

Jonathan’s outstanding representation and dedication to his clients is exemplified in his selection for National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, which he received in both 2024 and 2025. His trial experience has led him to secure multiple verdicts in his clients’ favor, including the highest slip-and-fall verdict in Kentucky in 2022.

When he’s not working diligently to secure the highest compensation possible for his clients, Jonathan enjoys playing the guitar and spending time with his wife, and dog, Oliver.

Scott grew up on a family farm just outside of Sparta, Kentucky. Since 1995, Scott has successfully represented injured clients in matters involving wrongful death, brain injury, dismemberment, and disfigurement. Scott has successfully represented injured clients in civil actions against corporate giants such as Ford Motor Company, Firestone Tire, Kubota Tractor and Rifle Coal Company.

Scott attended high school in Owen County, Kentucky. Following high school, he pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky and graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of the Arts in English. In his pursuit to follow his dreams, Scott received his Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1995.

Scott has always been committed and actively involved in his community. Over the years, Scott served as Owen County Trial Commissioner, Glencoe City Attorney and Sparta City Attorney. Scott also volunteered as a board member of the New Horizons Medical Center where he served as the vice president of the New Horizons Foundation Board.

In his free time, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife Julie and their six children. Scott is a member of Epoch Fellowship Baptist Church and lives in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He currently works in the Pre-litigation department in our Elizabethtown office.

Kathryn grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Her interest in law began from a young age after seeing her father practice law. Kathryn is dedicated to helping others, which ultimately drew her to practice at Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers.

Kathryn dedicates herself to achieving success and accepting challenges. She graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration. She then went on to obtain her Juris Doctor at Northern Kentucky University – Salmon P. Chase College of Law. After graduating, she decided it was time to see the world and traveled to twenty-seven countries over a span of five months. After her adventures abroad, she returned home to Bowling Green, Kentucky to study for the Kentucky bar exam.

While studying for the bar exam, Kathryn decided to pursue her Master of Law in Gaming Law and Regulation at the University of Nevada – Boyd School of Law. She passed the Kentucky Bar Exam while enrolled full-time in the Master of Law program. She then signed up to take the Nevada Bar Exam, which she passed while enrolled full-time at Boyd and externing at the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Her ability to manage challenges makes her an asset to Hughes & Coleman.

During law school, Kathryn interned for Coffman Law Office and Warren County Circuit Court with Judge Wilson and Judge Grise. She observed a wide variety of cases and gained knowledge in multiple areas of law, but her interest was piqued by personal injury. She wanted to be a personal injury lawyer to help victims heal by gaining rightful compensation. She is excited to be able to help others while working for Hughes & Coleman.

Kathryn lives in Bowling Green with her husband and dogs, who she loves dearly. She is an active member of Junior League, and she volunteers within the community. She loves traveling to new places and meeting new people in her free time. She is currently looking for a new church to call home after moving from Las Vegas back to her hometown of Bowling Green.

Kendra grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Clinton County, Kentucky. Once she graduated high school, she decided to further her education at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, a few hours from home. During undergrad, Kendra majored in English and ended up graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Kentucky. After receiving her diploma, Kendra took her education a step further, attending the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, which is where she received her Juris Doctorate.

At UK Law, Kendra was the Special Features Editor of Volume 110 of the Kentucky Law Journal.

Kendra learned the value of hard work at a very young age, due in part to her spending most of her life on cattle farms and witnessing it firsthand. To this day, Kendra values hard work and has a passion for helping others – especially those who are injured or disadvantaged.

She fostered and embodied this passion during law school, taking part in multiple internships. While attending law school, Kendra interned for the Department of Public Advocacy and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Following that, she clerked for a well-established law firm in Lexington, where she focused on cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect.

Since graduating from law school and being admitted to the State Bar of Kentucky, Kendra has fought for the rightful compensation of injured people. She takes pride in viewing each and every client as an individual, not a number.

Outside of the office, Kendra enjoys spending time outdoors in nature – hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family and friends in the Bluegrass State.

Justin has represented hundreds of clients across the state of Tennessee over the last decade and has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for them. He takes great pride in advocating for individuals who are going through a tough time and getting them the money they deserve.

Justin completed his undergraduate education at the University of Mississippi, where he graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. After undergrad, he decided to further his education at Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he also graduated with honors and earned his Juris Doctorate.

During his career at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School he received several awards, including: the Criminal Law Best Essay/Book Award Recipient, Civil Procedure Best Essay/Book Award Recipient, Taxation Best Essay/Book Award Recipient, Pre-Trial Skills Book Award Recipient and Trial Skills Book Award Recipient. Each of the awards he received symbolizes his many great traits, including his dedication, determination, and drive, which he also exemplifies in every single case he works.

Justin’s law background is that of a general practice and spans over the last decade. His general practice background includes experience in various areas of the law including business transactions, estate planning, family law, criminal matters, and personal injury. Furthermore, prior to receiving his bar admission in 2012, Justin served in other positions within the legal industry including working as a paralegal and holding multiple clerkship roles. Since 2015, Justin has focused his practice on civil litigation: specifically focusing on personal injury law representing injured victims. He is pleased to offer his clients excellent representation and strives daily to serve the needs of all his clients.

He is a member of the State Bar of Tennessee as well as the United States District Court. Throughout his tenure, Justin has successfully argued on behalf of his clients in all trial courts including General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, Probate, and Juvenile Courts across the State of Tennessee. He also has experience before Tennessee’s appellate courts, Tennessee Claims Commission, and Federal Administrative Court systems.

When out of office, Justin enjoys playing music with his friends, traveling to many different places, and hanging out in the park with his dog, Rebel!

We are grateful to have Justin as a part of our team.

Jill grew up north of Nashville in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. While attending school at Pioneer Christian Academy in Whites Creek, she was taught to always put others before herself and to help others. These attributes have carried over throughout her life and legal career.

Jill knew at a very early age that she wanted to become an attorney, but the journey to her chosen profession did not come easily. Attending law school was difficult, especially as a single mother. Jill started with Hughes & Coleman as a runner in 1996 while attending law school. During this difficult and strenuous time of her life, she worked, went to school, and came home to be a mom. This conditioned her to fight harder than anyone else for the things she wanted in life.

After graduating from Nashville School of Law in 1997, Jill immediately began representing Hughes & Coleman’s personal injury clients. After several years, she transitioned to the workers’ compensation department where she fought tirelessly helping employees receive the benefits that they are entitled to receive. She stayed in the position until 2017.

After briefly leaving to practice a different type of law, Jill returned to Hughes & Coleman in 2018 and is once again zealously representing employees who have suffered injuries on the job. She has a drive to do everything she can to help her clients through life’s most difficult moments.

She loves spending time with her son Justin and his fiance Jess, her niece Nicole and Nicole’s daughter Adeline, and her brother Bobby.

Corey was pursuing a career in English Literature prior to changing his path to the legal field. Since pivoting, he has accumulated experience in many areas of the law and applies all of the knowledge he has gained to the personal injury industry.

Corey has been an avid reader throughout his life and continued interest in the English language as a whole. After high school, Corey decided to attend Middlebury College in Vermont. While there, he majored in English Literature, and upon graduation, received a Bachelor of Arts degree. After college, Corey decided he wanted to continue his education in the field, and went on to attend the University of New Hampshire, where he received his master’s degree in English Literature. Following that, Corey did four years of doctoral work at the University of Kentucky, in an attempt to enhance his knowledge in the field. While pursuing a doctoral degree, he also worked as an English Literature instructor on campus. Prior to completing his doctorate, Corey realized that a life in academia was not for him, which was when he figured out his true passion was in the legal field.

After leaving the University of Kentucky and changing his path, Corey attended Emory University School of Law in Atlanta and graduated with honors, earning his Juris Doctor degree.

Throughout his career in law, Corey has worked in different ranges of legal fields. He has experience in criminal law, as both prosecution and defense. He has also practiced in civil law with the Legal Aid Society. While there, he handled a variety of legal issues for individuals who did not have the resources to hire and pay for an attorney themselves. He also worked as a Staff Attorney for multiple judges.

All of Corey’s experience led him to Hughes & Coleman to practice personal injury law! One of our favorite things about Corey is the excitement he shows; he is eager to fight for our clients who have been injured through no fault of their own, and who desire nothing more than the justice that they deserve. Corey has the skills and the determination that our team prides itself on, and is it shown in the way he advocates for clients who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence.

When not in the office, Corey enjoys reading, watching some TV, and hanging out with his dog.

Mariana is mostly proud of the settlements she obtained on behalf of injured children who need financial assistance to improve their quality of life.

Mariana was born and raised in Brazil until the age of fifteen when her family moved to the United States. During her childhood, Mariana learned her appreciation for hard work and commitment to the safety and well-being of others from her father, an engineer, and her mother, a physician. These qualities drove her passion to become an attorney.

Following secondary school, Mariana attended the University of Louisville where she received a full athletic scholarship playing tennis. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a minor in chemistry. Mariana then proceeded to attend the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.

After law school, Mariana joined the Hughes & Coleman team. Throughout her tenure as a personal injury attorney, she has gained many years of litigation and trial experience for auto, general premises, wrongful death and medical malpractice cases. She looks forward to a lifelong career helping injured victims and training new attorneys.

She currently resides in Bowling Green, KY with her husband Kevin, also an attorney, and two sons, Wynn and Max. Mariana is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and is involved in various community and charity activities, particularly those that have a focus on serving children. During her free time, she enjoys playing sports with her kids.

The common thread in Mr. Gregory-Mabrey’s legal career has been the desire to help the disadvantaged and those in need. Being a part of the Pre-Litigation team at Hughes & Coleman provides Mr. Gregory-Mabrey with the perfect platform to continue this quest.

Andrew J. Gregory-Mabrey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University and received his Juris Doctor from Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law in 2010. He is proud to have joined Hughes & Coleman team and thrives in his ability to help injured victims. As an avid motorcycle rider, Andrew is able to bring a different compassion to his cases, particularly those involving motorcyclists.

While in law school, Mr. Gregory-Mabrey participated in the Kentucky Innocence Project (the post-conviction branch of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy), and worked for the Children’s Law Center, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on protecting the legal rights of minors. He also interned for the Law Office of Katherine Siereveld and was employed by Chevalier, Fox & Ginn, PSC, in the general practice of law.

At home, Mr. Gregory-Mabrey is a busy husband and father, and enjoys spending time with his family. In his free time Mr. Gregory-Mabrey also enjoys reading or listening to books, and staying active by running, riding his motorcycle, and playing recreational hockey.

Mr. Gregory-Mabrey is licensed to practice law in the state of Tennessee, Kentucky Courts, the U.S. Federal District Court in the Western District of Kentucky and the Supreme Court of Kentucky. He is also a member of NOSSCR, The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, and is grateful for the opportunity to represent and be an advocate for those seeking disability.

Mr. Griffith litigated personal injury cases in Ohio for over 26 years with recovery amounts ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to several million dollars in dispute. His passion for helping those in need and standing up for clients who have been wronged brought him to Hughes & Coleman’s Bowling Green office, where he’s helped many clients. He has been recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyer, a recognition given to only 5 percent of the state’s attorneys. Mr. Griffith has been certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a National Civil Trail Advocacy since 2004. During his career, Mr. Griffith has conducted well over 100 trials and has had many successful jury verdicts for his clients.

Mr. Griffith is a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, with substantial family ties to the state of Kentucky. Although he began litigating in Ohio, his focus on Personal Injury law with Hughes & Coleman brought him to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he has helped many clients understand their rights and get the compensation they deserved.

Kevin, a Paintsville, Kentucky native, began his legal career as a public servant, working as an Assistant County Attorney. He continues to be a voice for his clients in their pursuit of justice.

Kevin has spent his career representing clients throughout the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky, from Pikeville to Paducah. With experience in medical malpractice claims, civil litigation, and criminal cases, Kevin has represented victims on nearly all fronts.

His path to becoming a lawyer started first with Kevin earning a B.A. in Political Science, graduating with distinction from the University of Kentucky. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Prior to joining Hughes & Coleman, Kevin worked in public service as Assistant County Attorney for the Carter County Attorney’s Office in Grayson, Kentucky, before going into private practice. During his career, Mr. Hackworth has represented clients in a wide range of civil litigation and criminal matters, with his focus primarily in the area of medical malpractice litigation. He has obtained million-dollar plus settlements for plaintiffs and defense verdicts for physicians and hospitals in 15 jury trials, as well as having effectively defended criminal clients, including a death penalty client acquitted of capital murder.

Away from the office, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, Julie, and daughter, Annabelle. An avid photographer, Kevin feels as comfortable behind a camera as he does in a courtroom. He also enjoys soaking up some sun while hiking, fishing or visiting America’s National Parks.

Jonaka grew up knowing she wanted a career of service to others. Inspired by that motivation, she loves the satisfaction she hears from clients when her conversation and work has made a difference in their day, especially those who are experiencing a very dark time in their lives.

Jonaka White Hall focuses her practice on a variety of types of personal injury cases. Originally from Cromwell, Kentucky, Jonaka earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Western Kentucky University. Following her undergraduate career, Jonaka earned her Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

Prior to joining Hughes & Coleman, Jonaka served as the Staff Attorney for Warren Circuit Family Court in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She has been a member of the Hughes & Coleman team for over 15 years and has gained experience by handling a variety of needs for clients. She works diligently to assist our clients so that they may have fair resolutions of their claims. Currently, Jonaka oversees our firm’s legal processes and works to ensure we provide the best quality service to those needing help on an injury claim. She is admitted to practice law in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Away from the office, Jonaka enjoys spending time with her four children, Ayla, Brantley, Grady and Arbor. Much of her time is spent attending dance competitions and sporting events watching her children perform. Jonaka also loves spending time outdoors whenever she can.

Richard’s strongest desire has always been to help, motivate and enable Earth’s most abundant natural resource: people. He believes that everyone, when given the opportunity and a little help, can achieve anything they desire.

Richard is a hometown lawyer, born and raised in Bowling Green. He attended Warren Central High School and continued his education at Western Kentucky University, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He then attended Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2010. At NKU, Richard was an Associate Editor for the Northern Kentucky Law Review and had his law review article chosen for publication in 2010.

After law school, Richard returned home again to begin his career with a defense firm focusing primarily on civil litigation, including insurance defense, personal injury defense and civil rights claims. He is also an AOC trained Guardian Ad Litem and has handled many juvenile cases in family courts across southern Kentucky. Eventually, Richard moved to another defense firm where he primarily focused on workers’ compensation defense. It was here that Richard won several highly contested claims, the results of which were affirmed on various appeals to all levels of Kentucky’s appellate court system.

Richard brings a unique perspective to Hughes & Coleman. Having practiced solely as a defense lawyer before joining the firm, Richard’s experience enables him to analyze cases thoroughly from both sides and to anticipate the defense’s case strategy. Having seen the devastating impact wrongly denied claims can have on the injured parties, Richard is sympathetic to “the little guys” and fights to protect their rights. He is proud to be part of a firm that fights relentlessly to protect clients’ rights and makes clients’ needs their top priority.

Richard lives in Bowling Green with his wife, Kelly, and their two beautiful daughters. He serves as President of Rockfield Elementary PTO, as a member of the Rockfield Elementary Site Based Decision Making Council, on the Warren County Board of Education Safety Committee, and as a Director for Warren County Youth Volleyball. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Bowling Green/Warren County Bar Association and HOTEL INC, serving as Board President in 2016. Richard and his family are also active members of Hillvue Heights Church. In his free time, Richard enjoys trying to be a cool “girl dad” to his two daughters, enjoying life with his wife and best friend, and occasionally trying to play a little golf.

Eric was born and raised in Ohio and resided there while attending undergraduate and law school. Following law school, Eric moved to Kentucky and began practicing in a small office. Eric soon moved to a larger city and began narrowing his practice to personal injury. He has successfully represented plaintiffs throughout Kentucky and Tennessee for the last 29 years.

For Eric, the legal profession continually challenges him to perform at his best while granting him the ability to serve others. In 2017, he was selected by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as part of the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction for 2017 in Tennessee.

Eric currently lives in Mount Juliet, Tennessee and spends every available moment with his wife and children.

Ashley is a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky where she graduated from Bowling Green High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communication Studies from Western Kentucky University in 2009. Ashley attended the College of Law at the University of Kentucky earning her Juris Doctorate in 2012. While in law school she was a staff editor for the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture and Natural Resources Law.

After law school, Ashley returned to Bowling Green as a law clerk for Warren Circuit Court Judge John Grise and Judge Steve Wilson. Following her tenure as a law clerk, Ashley joined a local firm where her practice focused on general civil litigation, including family law, personal injury, wrongful termination, and employment law related matters. Eventually, Ashley moved on to Kentucky Legal Aid where she was the VOCA coordinator. She assisted low-income and elderly clients with general civil litigation issues. Ashley has the civil litigation experience and drive to ensure all clients get their day in court.

Ashley lives in Bowling Green with her husband, son, and daughter. She serves as a trustee for the Bowling Green/Warren County Law Library, has served on the Board of Directors and as Law Day Chair for the Bowling Green/Warren County Bar Association, and is active in volunteering for expungement related events in the community. In her free time, Ashley enjoys reading, kayaking, and working out.

Matt grew up in Goodlettsville the son of a lawyer and grandson of a school principal who then re-invented herself as a lawyer in retirement, so it was inevitable that Matt would also end up a lawyer. Predictably enough, he also has a younger brother who is ALSO a lawyer.

Matt graduated from Tennessee Tech cum laude with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a minor in math. After working as an engineer with a global HVAC company, Matt realized engineering wasn’t his passion. He then went on to graduate magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law, spending his 3rd year practicing in court as a sworn Attorney General through the school’s clinical program.

Matt has spent his entire legal career representing injured people. Whether they were hurt on the job, in a car wreck, or injured through the negligence of another, Matt has taken their case to trial if necessary.

In addition to his law license, Matt earned the rank of Major in the Tennessee Army National Guard and serves as Judge Advocate General. He spent 10 years defending Soldiers accused of misconduct or misappropriation of property and now serves as the Brigade Judge Advocate to the 194th Engineering Brigade in Jackson, TN.

In his spare time, Matt enjoys walking with his wife and two daughters, if he can get his daughters to stop playing “hoppy-scotch” long enough to walk a straight line. Matt is a long-time Vols and Titans fan, and master of 3 dogs: Odessa, Independence, and Radar. His spirit animal is Ron Swanson.

During his 22-year legal career, Josh has fought for the rights of individuals that deserve more than the system wanted to give them. These experiences have given him the passion to continue his advocacy for the injured.

Having been born and raised in Athens, Tennessee, Josh’s small-town conservative values have been motivation in achieving his goals of being an attorney and being a zealous advocate for individual’s rights.

Josh attended McMinn County High School where he played football and baseball and graduated in 1990. In 1995, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middle Tennessee State University. While attending college, he served as President of the MTSU chapter of Sigma Chi and is still an active member of the organization’s alumni association. After graduation, Josh attended Nashville School of Law while working full-time for the State of Tennessee as Ginseng Coordinator, at various Law Firms around Nashville, and also at Averitt Express. Josh earned his Juris Doctor in 2000. He has also attended the prestigious Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning conducted by the University of Miami (FL). Most recently, he attended Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College in Dubois, Wyoming.

He managed his own law firm for several years in Athens, Knoxville, and Nashville, Tennessee focusing on Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Civil Practice, Estate Planning, and other general practice areas. He brings a vast and diversified legal background to our firm and can handle a wide range of legal issues.

Josh enjoys playing golf, hiking, and being outdoors. He is married to Mandy McKee and has a son, Hayden, and stepson Caleb. He is the son of former State House of Representatives Member Robert S. McKee and Marion ‘Honey Bee’ McKee.

TJ Massey is a trial attorney whose practice focuses primarily on nursing home neglect, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims. He brings a wealth of litigation experience to Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, including years of trial experience. During his career, TJ’s practice has focused almost exclusively on civil litigation and representing clients injured by nursing home abuse and neglect, medical malpractice, professional negligence, and catastrophic personal injury. His legal career includes experience defending a large Kentucky nursing home chain. Ultimately, TJ left civil defense and resumed his practice as a trial attorney to represent and help injured plaintiffs and their families.

In a small rural town in north Florida both TJ’s parents are pharmacists that own and operate independent drug stores. At a young age, TJ watched his parents serve the local community and help others in need, which influenced his decision to become a lawyer. After high school, TJ received an undergraduate degree in Diplomatic History from the University of Pennsylvania where he also was a four-year varsity member of the Penn crew team.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, TJ moved to Washington, DC and worked as a legal aid to United States Senator Mel Martinez. TJ left Capitol Hill and attended law school at the University of Louisville where he was a member of the student bar association and honor council.

TJ lives in Louisville with his wife and two daughters, is a member of Highland Presbyterian Church. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and playing golf.

After he graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Daniel went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During his time at Marquette, Daniel competed with and coached several moot court teams.

After receiving his Juris Doctorate, Daniel began his career in general practice, helping clients in a variety of areas ranging from business and family law to criminal defense and personal injury in circuit courts and the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. During this time, he also served as a Special Assistant to the Corporate Counsel of Walworth County, Wisconsin, and handled Child/Juvenile in Need of Protection or Services, as well as guardianships, protective placements, chapter 51, and zoning matters.

In 2012, Daniel was elected to the position of District Attorney in Walworth County, Wisconsin. At the time, he was the youngest District Attorney in Wisconsin history, and he represented the State of Wisconsin and acquired justice for hundreds of victims and their families.

During his time as District Attorney, Daniel also sat on the executive board for the Walworth County Children’s Advocacy Center, the Sensitive Crimes Response Team, and several other multidisciplinary teams. Daniels dedication to his cases and his community led him to co-author the Walworth County Sexual Assault Team Protocol and he went on to train law enforcement officers in techniques and best practices for handling sensitive crimes.

His compassion for those who lost loved ones to drug-related crimes inspired Daniel to work closely with the Walworth County Drug Enforcement Unit and the U.S.D.E.A., resulting in a 40% increase in opiate trafficking convictions in just three years.

At the end of his term in office, Daniel and his family moved to Middle Tennessee, where he has since concentrated almost exclusively on representing injured families. During this time, Daniel helped to recover millions for his injured clients in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Wisconsin.

Daniel regularly conducts Self-Defense Law and What to Expect Following a Use of Defensive Force Event presentations throughout Middle Tennessee

When he’s not in the office, Daniel likes to spend time with his wife and four children. He also serves on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Williamson County. He’s an avid outdoorsman and an aspiring strength athlete.

C.J. grew up in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, where, at a young age, he developed a curiosity for learning about the law. After spending countless hours watching Judge Judy after school with his grandfather, C.J. decided early on that he wanted to pursue a legal career. While attending Cumberland University, he started his legal career as a runner for a law firm in Lebanon, Tennessee, before moving west to attend law school at the University of Memphis.

While in law school, he focused on building practical skills to assist his future career in litigation. C.J. spent most of his law school career as a law clerk working for a prominent family law firm in Memphis. During his tenure at the law firm, he gained valuable experience working on complex divorce and custody cases with senior attorneys at the firm. This experience included conducting legal research, legal writing, assisting the attorneys in depositions preparation, and observing senior attorneys during mediations, trials, hearings, and depositions. One of his favorite memories was being able to work on high-profile cases while at the firm, including, more specifically, a case involving whether a marriage is valid in the State of Tennessee when an online-ordained minister officiates the wedding ceremony.

In addition to working as a law clerk, C.J. simultaneously served as a student attorney at the University of Memphis’ Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic. In this role, he collaborated with doctors and residents at the LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis to provide free legal assistance to lower-income families and children facing healthcare and education-related legal issues. As a proponent of “finishing what you started,” he voluntarily extended his time by returning for an additional semester as a student attorney in the Advanced Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic. During that second semester, he and his two other fellow AMLPC student attorneys successfully assisted a non-English-speaking mother in saving TennCare benefits for her disabled child, after which she thanked them by calling them a pair of angels. In recognition of their exceptional advocacy for this case, the three of them were honored with the Clinic Legal Excellence Award.

During law school, he became passionate about utilizing his legal skills to aid those in need. He credits his past law school mentors with building his litigation skills and helping him develop personal skills such as empathy and listening, which he believes are equally crucial to serving clients.

As an attorney, C.J. plans to continue his career with this goal in mind, and he loves the opportunity to work at Hughes & Coleman to further this goal. He now serves as one of the firm’s “general personal injury” attorneys, primarily handling non-automobile-related cases, including dog bites, slip-and-falls, or other general negligence.

C.J. currently lives in the Nashville area. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, playing guitar, hanging out with friends and family, and spending time with his golden retriever, Phoebe. In addition, he serves as an alumni advisor to the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Cumberland University. He’s a die-hard Nashville sports fan who follows the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators religiously, and thanks to his time spent in Memphis, he’s grown to love the Grizzlies and Tigers as well.

Sabina immigrated to Bowling Green, KY from Bosnia in 1994. She developed a desire to help people at a very young age after she was inspired by her experience translating for the Bosnian community.

Sabina is a first-generation immigrant and is bilingual in Bosnian and English. Her passion for helping others began early on. Sabina would translate for many members of the Bosnian community and volunteered at international events.

Following high school, Sabina attended Western Kentucky University where she pursued her undergraduate degree. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts as a double major in Political Science & Psychology with a minor in Criminology. Sabina obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law. During her college career, Sabina stayed involved in extracurricular activities and served as the president of Phi Alpha Delta. Sabina is admitted to practice law by the State Bar of Kentucky and the State Bar of Tennessee.

Following law school, Sabina returned to Bowling Green, Kentucky where she currently resides with her husband Cody, and three children, Maddie, Lincoln, and Lia. Much of her free time is spent at sporting events for her children. Sabina also loves to travel whenever she can.

Born and raised in Summer County, Tennessee, Theresa is a dedicated professional that focuses her practice on assisting car accident victims as they navigate the complex process of recovering damages and rebuilding their lives.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Political Science, she went on to earn a Master of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree in History from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She then went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Nashville School of Law.

Her family’s military background, including her grandfather (a WWII veteran) and father (a Vietnam veteran) instilled in her a sense of duty and started her personal journey. Theresa began her personal journey advocating for her father as he fought for veteran’s benefits while overcoming his war-related injuries. Through this process, she developed an unwavering commitment to help those who have been injured. This led her to Hughes & Coleman, where she continues to make a difference.

Before joining Hughes & Coleman, Theresa served as an attorney for the State of Tennessee in the Juvenile Court. She advocated for the best interests of children in custody, parentage, educational neglect, and neglect/dependency cases. Theresa also cherished her time teaching high school and college history and law courses.

In her free time, Theresa loves to explore nature. She often hikes through the state parks of Kentucky and Tennessee with her loyal dog, Vinny. She also enjoys traveling with friends and family.

Zack grew up local, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and in Middle Tennessee. In high school, he volunteered with the Sumner County Juvenile Court which started his pursuit in the legal field.

Working multiple jobs throughout high school and college, Zack set out to obtain his bachelor’s as quickly as possible, graduating from Western Kentucky University with a double major in History and Spanish in only two and a half years.

Zack never stops moving, and he tries to do as much as he can and as quickly as possible. He’s always seeking to expand his knowledge and gain perspective by setting and reaching new goals. While earning his law degree at Belmont University, Zack clerked at a law firm where he assisted on an unforgettable medical malpractice case. His client had a faulty knee replacement that resulted in life-long pain and additional surgeries.

Even though a favorable verdict was reached, the client and his wife were still in tears because they knew the doctor would never own up to his mistake or apologize.

That day in court, Zack knew he wanted to dedicate his practice to helping personal injury victims. He’d seen first-hand how devastating a serious injury can be on a family – mentally, physically, and financially. Even though some injury victims may sometimes never get to put it all behind them, Zack’s work could help provide them with the stability they needed to move forward with their lives.

The goal is not just to obtain the most money for his clients as possible, but also to be there for people when they are going through the worst times of their lives. Zack is as much a friend to his clients as he is a strong legal advocate for their cases.

Evan grew up in Summertown, Tennessee. While both his parents worked in the medical field, Evan decided to pursue an alternate path into the field of law. His experience working for insurance defense firms gives him a unique perspective into his clients’ cases.

Evan graduated from University of Tennessee Knoxville with degrees in political science and history. His legal career began at Belmont University College of Law, where he served as the Vice President of the Health Law Society and graduated with a health law certificate in addition to his law degree.

During his last 2 years at Belmont, he served as a law clerk at a Nashville land use firm. After passing the Bar in 2018, his family moved to Chattanooga, where he worked for an insurance defense firm representing insurance companies in slip and fall, car accident, and workers’ compensation claims. After moving back to middle Tennessee, he began working at Hughes & Coleman, where his experience working on the defense side of cases offers him a unique perspective into his clients’ cases.

When not representing clients, Evan loves spending time with his wife Jennifer and their 2 children, Max and Maddie. He is an avid sports fan and loves cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves.

Jason is a veteran, a father, a nurse, and an attorney. He has spent his entire adult life taking care of and defending others in one way or another.

After completing a six-year tour of duty as a Navy Corpsman (medic) assigned to a Marine Corps infantry battalion, Jason went to nursing school. He then enjoyed a 12-year career as a Registered Nurse (RN), where he worked in many different areas including emergency departments, intensive care units, renal dialysis centers, and post-anesthesia care units. He finished his nursing career serving as a charge nurse on a spinal cord injury unit.

While working in healthcare, Jason witnessed first-hand the many ways in which negligence can lead to serious, sometimes fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the negligence of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers can sometimes be the cause of those injuries. Because of what he witnessed during his years as a healthcare “insider”, Jason became motivated to go to law school and become an attorney.

The early years of his legal career were spent advocating on behalf of people who received defective medical devices, including IVC filters and pelvic mesh devices. He is currently focused on helping victims of nursing home negligence and medical malpractice.

Jason draws upon his nursing experience when fighting for victims of our healthcare system. He works as hard to protect his clients’ rights in the courtroom as he did to protect his patients’ rights in the hospital.

During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his amazing wife, Courtney, and their five children. Originally from Northern Indiana, Jason’s family is new to the Tennessee/Kentucky area and enjoys exploring all that this part of the country has to offer.

Cathy has been with Hughes & Coleman Personal Injury Lawyers for nearly two decades, and during her time here, Cathy has successfully recovered millions on behalf of her clients.

Cathy spent the early years of her life growing up on a farm in the Midwest. Following high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before attending Indiana University at South Bend. Cathy graduated from Indiana University at South Bend with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Administration. After graduation, she worked for several years for a consulting firm before deciding to attend law school. Cathy received her law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Cathy worked for several firms, and for the State of Tennessee’s Department of Human Services, before joining Hughes & Coleman in 2006. Her practice currently concentrates on people injured in automobile accidents and the multitude of related issues they face.

Cathy believes that one of an attorney’s most important responsibilities is the role of counselor and she tries to listen to her clients’ needs and help them with the problems they face at difficult times.

Cathy lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Jerard, who is a Latin teacher at the Harpeth Hall School for Girls.

Shannon grew up in Orlando, Florida, where her practice of law began. After eight years of practice representing government entities and corporations, Shannon uses the knowledge she gained on their side to advocate for the individual.

Shannon received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, where she majored in business and specialized in communication studies. This specialization in communication studies laid the groundwork for her to effectively advocate on behalf of her clients.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Shannon earned a scholarship to attend Florida State University College of Law, a Top 50 law school in the country. There, she furthered her trial advocacy skills as a member of its prestigious mock trial team. All the while, she received recognition for making the Dean’s List.

Shannon began her legal career in Central Florida in 2012. Her experience includes representing corporations and government entities in complex state and Federal court cases. Shannon also worked closely with government small business departments to promote the opportunities available to minority and women owned businesses.

Outside of her law practice, Shannon enjoys spending time with her dog and the outdoors. She also has an active civic life. Having grown up the daughter of an elementary school teacher, Shannon enjoys volunteering for organizations that promote the needs and development of children.