About Our Firm

Tamara Todd Cotton

Tamara Todd Cotton, a native of Richmond, Kentucky, started her academic studies at The University of Kentucky and graduated from Spalding College in Louisville.

Ms. Cotton became a Registered Nurse in 1972 and worked as a nurse in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit, on Medical and Surgical Units and in Subspecialty Clinics including Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiac, Pulmonary and others. Ms. Cotton joined the US Army Reserve, Army Nurse Corp in 1973 and served 20 years in the Reserve and National Guard, earning the rank of Colonel.  During her position as Chief Nurse of the 112th Medical Brigade for the mid-west region of the Army National Guard, Ms. Cotton coordinated units in several states and served as the mid west representative to the Chief of the Army Nurse Corp for the Army National Guard. Ms Cotton was awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 1993.

Ms. Cotton graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 1980 and was admitted to practice law in Kentucky in 1980.  Ms. Cotton began her practice with a Louisville law firm, became a partner and continued as a  partner until she started her own firm in 1996.

Providing medical-legal education and volunteering to the community is an obligation, according to Ms. Cotton. For years, she spoke to patients and families of patients who suffered severe brain and neurological injuries and illnesses at Frazier Rehab Institute. She has presented extensively on medical-legal issues to hundreds of health care professionals in Kentucky, Indiana, regionally and nationally. She has presented on legal issues to labor leaders and members as well as management on issues involving Worker’s Compensation and to Worker’s Compensation attorneys.

Ms. Cotton is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville Bar Association, the Kentucky Justice Association and is an Officer of the Kentucky Workers’ Association. Ms. Cotton is a past-president of the American Association of Nurse Attorneys.  Ms. Cotton attained recognition as an Advocate by the National College of Advocacy, Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Ms. Cotton was featured in Louisville Magazine as one of the Best Lawyers in Louisville, as chosen by her peers, in the practice of Workers’ Compensation claims. Ms. Cotton was also selected by her peers as a “Super Lawyer” in Worker’s Compensation in Kentucky.

Ms. Cotton and the Firm were selected in The Top Tier in Best Lawyers in Worker’s Compensation by the US News and World Report for America.

Stephanie N. Wolfinbarger

Stephanie N. Wolfinbarger, a native of Irvine, Kentucky, earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kentucky in 2003. After working in Washington, DC for a year, Ms. Wolfinbarger returned to the University of Kentucky College of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. Ms. Wolfinbarger was admitted to practice law in Kentucky and practiced in Lexington before moving to Louisville to join Cotton & Associates in 2008. Ms. Wolfinbarger represents injured workers in workers’ compensation claims as well as Social Security claimants. Ms. Wolfinbarger is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville Bar Association, Kentucky Justice Association and Kentucky Workers Association.

Stephanie L. Kinney

Stephanie L. Kinney, a native of Pikeville, Kentucky, earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Pikeville College in 2003. After teaching for a year, Ms. Kinney attended the Appalachian School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. Ms. Kinney was admitted to practice law in Kentucky in 2007. Ms. Kinney practiced in Pikeville, Kentucky before moving to Louisville to join Cotton & Associates in 2010. Ms. Kinney represents injured workers in workers’ compensation claims and people injured in motor vehicle and slip and fall accidents. She assists clients with Estate Planning, including Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Advanced Healthcare Directives. Ms. Kinney is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Kentucky Justice Association and Kentucky Workers’ Association.

Elizabeth A. Schott

Elizabeth A. Schott, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Louisville in 1992 and her Juris Doctorate from University of Louisville in 1996. Ms. Schott was admitted to practice in Kentucky in 1996 and Indiana in 1999. Ms. Schott was formerly a law clerk and attorney for the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Division of the Special Fund. Thereafter, Ms. Schott entered into private practice, working in both Kentucky and Indiana until she joined Cotton & Associates in 2010. Ms. Schott is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association and Kentucky Workers’ Association. Ms. Schott represents injured workers in Kentucky and Indiana workers’ compensation claims as well as U.S. Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims. Ms .Schott is a member of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Family YMCA in Louisville, Kentucky.

Emily Gilles

Emily M. Gilles, a native of Southern Indiana, began working for Tamara Cotton in 2002 as a legal secretary and currently serves as the Office Manager. Ms. Gilles has extensive knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation system and oversees the firm’s support staff. Ms. Gilles resides in Henryville, Indiana with her husband, son and daughter.

Ms. Gilles supervises legal secretaries, Yoania Gonzalez, Ashley Andres, Shannon Shearer, Christine Pate, Mary Anglin, Hannah Kidwell and Karla Castorena. Ms. Andres, Shearer, Anglin, Pate and Kidwell work with the attorneys with the Workers’ Compensation claims. Ms. Castorena is fluent in both English and Spanish and assists the firm in communicating with our Hispanic clients. Ms. Gonzalez has been with the firm since 2008 and assists with the Social Security and Personal Injury cases as well as working with the attorneys with the Workers’ Compensation claims. Ms. Gonzalez is also fluent in both English and Spanish. Ms. Gonzalez has nine years experience working in legal offices.

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