Bardstown, KY

Sheila Hiestand

Sheila Hiestand, known as "The Lady Litigator," is dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families. She has over 30 years of experience, including significant trial victories and 7-figure settlements in personal injury cases. A graduate of Centre College and the University of Kentucky School of Law, she is recognized with numerous awards and is fluent in Spanish.

Michelle Buckley Sparks

Michelle Buckley Sparks is a partner at McCoy & Sparks, focusing on personal injury litigation, criminal defense, and family law, including uncontested divorces. A native of Bardstown, she graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1995. She has been awarded 'best lawyer' by the Kentucky Standard for six consecutive years and has contributed to winning significant verdicts and settlements for clients.

Chad McCoy

Chad McCoy is a lawyer dedicated to ensuring clients receive fair representation and compensation. He began practicing law in 1995 after graduating from the University of Kentucky Law School. He co-founded McCoy & Hiestand, PLC with Sheila Hiestand. He served three terms in the Kentucky State Legislature, including two terms as House Majority Whip, and is a certified mediator from Cornell University.

Keith A. Sparks

Keith A. Sparks is a partner at McCoy & Sparks, focusing on personal injury litigation and criminal defense, with an emphasis on wrongful death and automobile accident cases. He graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1996 and has nearly 20 years of experience fighting for clients, recovering millions of dollars. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the Kentucky Justice Association.

Audrey L. Haydon-Blackmon

Audrey L. Haydon-Blackmon is an attorney who graduated from Georgetown University in 2007 with a B.S. in Foreign Service and from American University Washington College of Law in 2010 with a Juris Doctor. A Bardstown native, she returned to her hometown to practice law, focusing on Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, and Social Security Disability cases. She has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers since 2014 and annually since 2016. Audrey served as chair of the Kentucky Bar Association’s Workers Compensation Section (2023-2024) and is a Board Member of the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Education Association. She also serves as City Attorney for Bardstown (since 2018) and Bloomfield (since 2024), and as legal counsel for the Nelson County Community Clinic. She lives in Bardstown with her husband and three daughters.

Mike Niemietz

Mike Niemietz is a partner at McCoy & Sparks, having joined the firm in 2014. He primarily handles criminal and domestic cases, along with civil and personal injury practice. He graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law and previously worked for the Louisville Metro Public Defender Office and in legal advising for healthcare. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the Nelson County Bar Association.

Kathy Bowman

Kathy W. Bowman is a complex litigation/medical malpractice paralegal who joined the firm in 2017. She has over 30 years of diverse legal experience and is dedicated to advocating for injured individuals.