Attorney, McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie, and Kirkland, Chair of Health-Care Law
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Photo by Mick Jeffries
Attorney Lisa English Hinkle has an impressive resume filled with professional honors and awards, published works and professional associations too lengthy to name. But if you ask what she considers her greatest accomplishment, her answer is always the same: “my children.”
It’s not surprising that Hinkle, who has taken pride in teaching her four children “to be kind caring adults who will make significant contributions to any community where they live,” grew up with fine examples to follow in her own life.
As a young girl, Hinkle sought advice from her father and brother –– both past presidents of the Kentucky Bar Association –– when it came to tough decisions. Hinkle will admit it’s their encouragement and guidance over the years that played a role in helping her reach the position she holds today as an attorney and member of McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie, and Kirkland.
“I am blessed with a father who provides guidance and will answer questions at any time, day or night, and a brother who will tell me how to get something done,” said Hinkle, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., who speaks with a sweet Southern accent. “Both are incredible role models. It is so important to have someone that you can feel that you can turn to and ask honest questions without pretense.”
Hinkle’s professional journey began upon her graduation from the University of Kentucky’s College of Law. She completed three law clerkships and then had an opportunity to work as a staff attorney with federal judges and the Federal Trade Commission in Atlanta.
Following a one-year stint in that role, Hinkle moved back to Kentucky, where she was hired by McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie and Kirkland. Hinkle’s area of practice is health care. She assists hospitals with business planning and developing new services and also works with physicians who are in the beginning stages of building their own practices.
Hinkle said being mentored by Terry McBrayer during her first years with the firm helped her gain confidence and direction in her profession.
“Terry taught me that being a lawyer means that you work hard, but also that you treat everyone with respect, kindness and humility, regardless of their station in life,” said Hinkle. “He also taught me that humor goes a long way in helping people come to terms and not to take myself so seriously.”
As previously mentioned, Hinkle’s community involvement runs deep, as she holds leadership positions in more than a half-dozen organizations outside her profession. While all are important, Hospice of the Bluegrass, in which Hinkle has held several roles over the years, is especially close to her heart. She has also especially enjoyed serving as community chair for the Pioneering Healthy Communities Task Force for the Bourbon County YMCA.
“It’s an amazing group of committed citizens, and we are working on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for Bourbon County that will improve the quality of life,” Hinkle explained.
One of Hinkle’s goals within her profession is to pass on the wisdom she has obtained from past mentors by encouraging other women to succeed and creating opportunities for them to achieve their goals.
“I have two paralegals who have gotten their master’s [degrees] in health administration; our law firm has paid for them to do it, and I’m so proud of them,” said Hinkle. “I’ve personally tried to be supportive of helping women advance professionally, especially when they’re single mothers.”