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Practices

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Biography

Ed is a business lawyer and serves as Chairman-Emeritus and Co-Chairman of the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice. He also works with emerging companies on venture capital transactions. Elected at the age of 33 in 1977, Ed served for 23 years as managing member of the former Brown, Todd & Heyburn PLLC. He served as co-managing member of Frost Brown Todd for 8 years through December 31, 2008. In 1977, the firm had 38 attorneys with offices in Lexington and Louisville. Today, the firm has more than 500 attorneys and 14 offices in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Ed and his wife, Mary F., have two children, Mary Jane Kirkpatrick and Clinton Glasscock; and two granddaughters, Mary Elizabeth Kirkpatrick and Sarah Fordyce Kirkpatrick. His hobbies include reading, golf, thoroughbred racing, the arts, and sporting events.

What Clients Say About Ed

“…the most influential lawyer in the entire state for corporate work.”
“…an icon’ who is ‘incredibly influential’ and ‘never loses his cool.”
“…star attorney and lawyer’s lawyer.”
“…the number one corporate attorney in the state.”
“…a go-to person for many complex transactions.”
“…a highly experienced professional with superb negotiating skills.”
“…a great negotiator who always finds a way to get the deal done.”
“…one of the most influential attorneys in Kentucky.”
“He has an imaginative way of putting people and legal principles together in a way that ensures success.” 
“…a superb rainmaker who has done a lot to make the firm what it is today.”
“…a first class deal-maker.”

Source: Clients interviewed by Chambers USA©, America Leading Lawyers for Business, 2005 – 2019.

Other Info About Ed

Education

Law School

University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 1969, with high distinction
Order of the Coif
Kentucky Law Journal, Member of Staff, 1968-1969
Recipient, Outstanding Student Award, University of Kentucky, 1969 (selected from a student body of 14,000)
Phi Delta Phi, Graduate of the Year, 1968-1969

Undergraduate School

University of Kentucky, B.S., 1966, Civil Engineering

Bar Memberships

Ed is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky, 1969

Courts

Ed is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

United States Supreme Court, 2019

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America®, 1991-2022; Louisville Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2012; Louisville Mergers and Acquisitions Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2010, 2014

Chambers USA®, Corporate/M&A, 2015-2021

Chambers USA®, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2004-2020, listed and ranked as the Number One Corporate Merger & Acquisition Lawyer in Kentucky

AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell® for 40 years

Selected for inclusion in Kentucky Super Lawyers® 2007-2019, ranked the number one corporate lawyer in Kentucky, 2008 and 2009

One of only four Kentuckians to receive the Woodrow Wilson Leadership Award from the Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington, D.C., for Outstanding Community Service along with David Novak, former CEO of Yum! Owsley Brown, Jr., former CEO of Brown Forman and Christy Brown one of Louisville’s leading Philanthropist.

Recipient of the Catholic Education Foundation Community Service Award, 2013

Honorary Doctor of Laws, Bellarmine University, May 14, 2011

Recipient of Bellarmine’s Knight of Knights Award, 2005

Gold Cup Award for Outstanding Community Leadership, Greater Louisville, Inc., 2003

Hall of Fame, University of Kentucky College of Law, Member, 2003

Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Member, 2002

Tom Simons Leadership Award, Leadership Louisville Foundation, 2002

Louisvillian of the Year Award, 2001

Recipient of the Greater Louisville Inc.’s Silver Fleur-de-Lis Award for Chairing The Bridges Coalition, for 4 years for the successful completion of the Ohio River Bridges Project.

University of Kentucky Jefferson County Alumni Club All American Award, 2001

Recipient of the Communicator of the Year Award in 2018, presented by Public Relations Society of America, Bluegrass Chapter

Selected in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 as a Partner in Healthcare for distinguished service in support and development of the Greater Louisville Health Care Community

Recognized by County Judge/Executive of Grayson County in a Proclamation on September 13, 2001 naming the day “Ed Glasscock Day”

Co-Chairman – KY WINS! (An organization promoting expanding gaming in Kentucky)

Co-Chairman – Kentucky LIFT, Inc. (An organization promoting local option sales tax)

General Counsel, Louisville Arena Authority, 2005-2020

Kentucky Bar Association, Outstanding Service Award, 1975

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

University of Louisville, Member, Board of Overseers, 1991-present; Member, University of Louisville Athletic Board, 2009-2014

Kentucky Bar Association, Outstanding Service Award, 1975

American Bar Association Mergers and Acquisitions Committee, Member

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