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.

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.