U.S. News, Best Lawyers release 2017 ‘Best Law Firms’ list

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the seventh consecutive year, have announced the “Best Law Firms” rankings.

Bowling Green law firms include: Boehl Stopher & Graves LLP; Boswell, Sims & Vasseur, P.L.L.C.; Bradley, Freed & Grumley, P.S.C.; Cole & Moore PSC; English Lucas Priest & Owsley, LLP; Fridy Law Offices; Garmon & Goodman; Law Offices of Steven D. Downey; Rhoads & Rhoads, P.S.C.; Bruce Law Firm; Bryant Law Center, P.S.C.; Kerrick Bachert PSC; Richardson, Gardner & Alexander; and Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub, PLLC, according to the online data base.

Firms included in the 2017 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

“U.S. News is the global authority in rankings,” said Tim Smart, executive editor of U.S. News & World Report. “Evaluating law firms is a natural extension of what we do best.” 

The 2017 rankings are based on the highest number of participating firms and highest number of client ballots on record. To be eligible for a ranking, a firm must have a lawyer listed in the Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top 4 percent of practicing attorneys in the U.S. More than 10,000 attorneys provided more than 800,000 law firm assessments, and more than 10,000 clients provided more than 90,000 evaluations.

The 2017 “Best Law Firms” rankings can be seen in their entirety by visiting bestlawfirms.usnews.com.

Reid’s Livery Winery captures wins in Commissioners Cup

Reid’s Livery Winery was recently among winners in Kentucky’s Commonwealth Commercial Wine Competition and Commissioners Cup.

There were more than 200 entries.

Reid’s Livery Winery received the following honors: U.S. Diamonds and Lace Diamond 2014, Gold; U.S. Silver Streak Diamond 2014, Gold; KY Baco Noir Baco Noir 2015, Silver; KY Blue Moon of Kentucky Blueberry 2015, Silver; U.S. Elvira Cherry 2015, Bronze; KY Harvest Blend Norton/Petite Sirah 2013, Bronze; KY Healthy Harvest Elderberry 2015, Bronze; KY Norton Norton 2014, Bronze; and KY Peachy Keen Peach 2015, Bronze, according to the website.

Crocker Farm Winery in Franklin received a silver for its Cabernet Franc and a bronze for its Colombard.

Winners will be recognized Monday at John Varaneses River House Restaurant & Raw Bar in Louisville and the Commissioners Cup Gala will be Nov. 19 at the Speed Art Museum. Gala tickets are $50.

— For more information on tickets, visit louisvilletickets.com/events/kentucky-wineries-association-s-commissioner-s-cup-awards-celebration.

Meijer donates up to $500,000 to local children’s charities

Meijer has donated up to $500,000 to local children’s charities in its market.

The Bowling Green Meijer donates to Shop with a Hero for the Bowling Green Fire Department, as its charity.

Through the Buy a Toy, Share the Joy program at Meijer, the retailer is donating a portion of customer purchases made in the toy department, up to $500,000, to children’s gift-giving programs throughout the Midwest. Any toy purchased at Meijer now through Nov. 30 will help the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer share the joy for the third consecutive year.

“Meijer wants to help make the holidays happier for hundreds of children, because every child deserves to experience the joy of unwrapping a toy,” said Dan Myers, divisional merchandise manager of toys for Meijer. “We know how much value our customers place on sharing their good fortune, and we believe the Buy a Toy, Share the Joy program will create lasting memories for children in need.”

Thursday workshop offered by SCORE, SBDC at WKU

On Thursday,  individuals from SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and SBDC (Small Business Development Center) in Louisville will present a workshop for people wanting information about how to start a business; or how to improve one they already have.

The $25 workshop is at Western Kentucky Center for Research and Development, 2413 Nashville Road.

Topics include: Personal Traits of an Entrepreneur; Marketing and Accounting Basics; Legal and Insurance Considerations; Technology for Your Business; Business Plan Preparation; and Financial and Money Management.

Raymer Real Estate Services launches marketing division

Raymer Real Estate Services, LLC, has announced formation of Entrepreneur Marketing Group, a new division within the company that is focused on providing businesses with innovative online marketing solutions.

EMG will be headed up by RRES Director of Marketing & Outreach Josh Raymer with RRES Broker/Owner Greg Raymer handling new business acquisition and intake.

The duo will focus on developing, designing, implementing and optimizing sales funnels for their clients using the most technologically advanced funnel platform available.

Convention & Visitors Bureau wins seven industry awards

The Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau recently received seven awards at the 2016 Kentucky Travel Industry Association’s Traverse Awards for Excellence in Tourism Marketing competition.

The CVB received Silver Awards for its website, social media and annual report. Bronze Awards were received for Out-of-Home Advertising, Print Ad and two Rack Brochures during the Traverse Gala held in Lexington.

“Rolling out a new website and creating more promotional materials to market to niche audiences have made this year special,” said Marissa Butler, marketing director at the CVB. “We implemented our ‘geared for fun’ brand throughout our annual report and created a website that’s more user friendly and destination brand-oriented than ever before.”

The new Warren County Quilt Trail and Scenic Ride Guide brochures received Bronze awards. 

Kentucky travel and tourism businesses and marketing organizations vie for awards during the annual competition produced by KTIA. A panel of out-of-state experts judges entries from across the state.

Red Tape Reduction Initiative on PVC pipe reg advances

A commercial construction industry desire to allow the use of PVC pipe in all structures continues to advance through the regulatory process, according to an industry press release.

On Monday the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee of the Kentucky General Assembly unanimously approved amending current regulations restricting the use of polymerized vinyl chloride or PVC piping in structures greater than 45 feet in height. This amended regulation will now allow PVC pipe in all structures with no height limitation.

“This amended regulation will give owners and general contractors the option of using PVC pipe in construction projects with no limitation on the height of that structure” Richard Vincent, executive vice president of Associated General Contractors of Kentucky, said in a news release. “This flexibility is long overdue and greatly appreciated by the commercial construction industry.”

The regulation was among the first identified in the Red Tape Reduction initiative started by Gov. Matt Bevin on July 7.