John H. Helmers, Jr.

Attorney

Though he is an avid cook and an obsessive sports lover, John Helmers is really a lawyer 24/7. Having grown up in a dynamic family of lawyers from Owensboro, Kentucky, John has the sacred nature of the attorney-client relationship in his blood. He carried his love for both books and people with him through his undergraduate work at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, where he was awarded an academic scholarship and obtained a degree in History. Law School at the University of Kentucky brought him back to his beloved home state, where he was elected Vice President of the Student Bar Association and served as Chairman of the Honor Council. After his start in the Jefferson County Public Defender’s office, John went on to establish a thriving private practice in the areas of Family Law, Personal Injury, and Criminal Defense. Undeterred by complex challenges, he has developed a significant appellate practice and has appeared numerous times before the Kentucky Court of Appeals and the Kentucky Supreme Court. Twelve of his cases have been published as controlling law in the Commonwealth on a wide variety of subjects including paternity, fraud, high income child support, grandparent’s rights, and punitive damages. John is admitted to practice before all Kentucky Courts and the Federal Courts in the Western and Eastern Districts of Kentucky and in the Southern District of Indiana. John’s long-term relationships with families in the community and his passion for the law are his driving forces. For him, a telephone call from the grandchild of a previous client seeking legal counsel is greeted with the reverence due such a privilege. Known by many as "Hal," John is married and is endlessly proud of his two sons, two step-daughters, and two dogs.

Melina Hettiaratchi

Senior Associate Attorney

As a first-generation professional and the eldest of three girls, Melina is an advocate first and foremost. Having grown up in Montgomery, Alabama (the first capital of the Confederacy and the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement), Melina knows firsthand the impact of history and power imbalances on us. As a result, Melina brings a hard-won perspective as an educator and community advocate to the practice of law. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, magna cum laude, from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, in 2015. Melina concentrated her studies in Mercer’s unique “Holistic Child” program which combines practical teaching experience with education equity and special education instruction. She continued this focus in law school at the University of California San Francisco College of the Law, choosing courses and clinical experiences that address “holistic” legal representation for families in crisis; studying the law and legal impacts of being unhoused, living with disabilities, race and racism. She represented clients in the Social Enterprise and Economic Empowerment clinic as well as the Community Group Advocacy and Social Justice Lawyering clinic, ultimately winning an award for Outstanding Performance in the latter clinic.  Melina also prioritizes leadership and excellence in her relationships with her peers. While at Mercer, she served as Class President and Senator during her sophomore and senior years and Student Body Vice President during her junior year. Melina continued serving her student peers and University community in law school as she also chaired multiple student organizations at both universities. After Mercer, Melina continued her education at the University of California San Francisco College of the Law, tailoring her experience to community organizing and youth law and advocacy. She also served the University as President of the Class of 2019 through the Associated Students of UC Hastings.  Throughout her experience academically and professionally, she has focused on the idea of providing holistic legal representation for families in crisis; studying the law and legal impacts of being unhoused, living with disabilities, race, and racism. Melina began practicing law in 2021 in Louisville, where she has found a new community to join and support. She is a Board Member of Mental Health Lou, a local nonprofit that seeks to increase education about community mental health resources and decrease the stigma around mental health needs. In 2023, Melina was presented with the Robert and Frank E. Haddad Young Lawyer Award by the Louisville Bar Association for her excellence as a newcomer to the field and in recognition of the respect and admiration she has garnered from her fellow professionals. She is also a 2024 Super Lawyers Rising Star and will serve as the Chair of the LBA Family Law Section in the upcoming year. In her spare time, she loves spoiling her nephews, searching for the best Old Fashioned in Louisville, and reading entire Wikipedia pages. 

JaNae Martin

Legal Administrator- Paralegal

JaNae is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and an alumna of Louisville Central High School and the University of Louisville. While at UofL, JaNae served as President of the Thurgood Marshall Pre-Law Society. She was selected to attend the National Conference of Black Political Scientists as a Student Panelist in 2006. As a college senior, JaNae served as an intern for the Kentucky Legislative Branch and volunteered for the National Democratic Campaign Committee. She has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Pan-African Studies.

JaNae has been very active in Girl Scouts and was a National Delegate representing Kentucky during the 2014 National Scouts Convention. She served as Troop Leader for one of the largest Troops in West Louisville for over 10 years.  JaNae served as Vice President and President for the Kentucky Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators during 2020 and 2021 respectively.  This organization is the premier professional organization for Legal Admisitatrsators in the Country. She has hopes to soon fulfill a national position within the organization, which is headquartered in Chicago. 

JaNae has a special interest in Civil Rights Law and diversity and equality in all aspects of the legal field from an HR and Administrative perspective.  The business of running a Law Firm is her BUSINESS and she takes pride in what she does.  She has a passion for activism and enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her Family. JaNae Martin has been working with John Helmers for over 20 years, and he is a better lawyer for it.

Evanthi Hettiaratchi

Receptionist

Fresh from graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and a minor in Sustainability Studies, Evanthi moved to Louisville to live with her sister. She joined Helmers + Associates as the Legal Assistant and Receptionist in August 2022. At our firm, Evanthi is often the initial point of contact for clients. Her warm and engaging personality makes her the epitome of a "people person." Her commitment to community building is evident. During her time at Auburn, she worked to create community as a Resident Assistant and to preserve the student body’s memories holding several positions on the official yearbook staff each year. Now, she ensures a welcoming and supportive experience for all who reach out to our office. In addition to her work as a Legal Assistant, she also organizes our firm's summer Happy Hours with other professionals in Louisville’s Family Law community. Leveraging her creative acumen, she curates and manages the Firm's website. Outside of work, Evanthi enjoys going to concerts, volunteering at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, visiting museums, and maintaining her impressive streak of daily Spanish lessons on Duolingo. 

Taylor Reese

Law Clerk

Taylor, a third-year law student at the UofL Brandeis School of Law, brings dedication, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of teamwork to her role as the firm’s law clerk. Originally from Russell Springs, Kentucky, Taylor graduated from Georgetown College in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Security Studies. While at Georgetown, she participated in the Oxford Honors Program and worked at the Admissions Office.  At the University of Louisville, she now serves as the President of the Student Bar Association. In alignment with her interest in human rights and civil rights law, she is also the Legal Research Assistant for Air Justice Louisville and Senior Articles Editor for the Journal of Animal and Environmental Law. During the fall 2023 semester, she participated in the Ackerson Law Clinic, where she acquired her limited practice license allowing her to gain courtroom experience representing domestic violence survivors petitioning for domestic violence orders. Taylor uses her proficiency in meticulous case law research and comprehensive legal analysis to draft court pleadings, write appellate briefs, and assist in preparations for trials and hearings.  When she’s not charming clients and attorneys alike with her Southern twang, Taylor can be spotted walking her dog Teddie, going to the gym, or at her favorite gluten-free restaurants in Louisville.