Ed is a business lawyer and serves as Chairman-Emeritus and Co-Chairman of the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice. He also works with emerging companies on venture capital transactions. Elected at the age of 33 in 1977, Ed served for 23 years as managing member of the former Brown, Todd & Heyburn PLLC. He served as co-managing member of Frost Brown Todd for eight years through December 31, 2008. In 1977, the firm had 38 attorneys with offices in Lexington and Louisville. Today, the firm has more than 575 attorneys and 17 offices in California, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Ed and his wife, Mary F., have two children, Mary Jane Kirkpatrick and Clinton Glasscock; and two granddaughters, Mary Elizabeth Kirkpatrick and Sarah Fordyce Kirkpatrick. His hobbies include reading, golf, thoroughbred racing, the arts, and sporting events.
“…the most influential lawyer in the entire state for corporate work.”
“…an icon’ who is ‘incredibly influential’ and ‘never loses his cool.”
“…star attorney and lawyer’s lawyer.”
“…the number one corporate attorney in the state.”
“…a go-to person for many complex transactions.”
“…a highly experienced professional with superb negotiating skills.”
“…a great negotiator who always finds a way to get the deal done.”
“…one of the most influential attorneys in Kentucky.”
“He has an imaginative way of putting people and legal principles together in a way that ensures success.”
“…a superb rainmaker who has done a lot to make the firm what it is today.”
“…a first class deal-maker.”
Source: Clients interviewed by Chambers USA©, America Leading Lawyers for Business, 2005 – 2019.
University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 1969, with high distinction
Order of the Coif
Kentucky Law Journal, Member of Staff, 1968-1969
Recipient, Outstanding Student Award, University of Kentucky, 1969 (selected from a student body of 14,000)
Phi Delta Phi, Graduate of the Year, 1968-1969
University of Kentucky, B.S., 1966, Civil Engineering
The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, 2006-2025, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2012; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2007-2025,”Lawyer of the Year,” 2010, 2014
Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A, 2015-2021; Senior Statesperson 2022-2024
Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2004-2020, listed and ranked as the Number One Corporate Merger & Acquisition Lawyer in Kentucky
AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell® for 40 years
Selected for inclusion in Kentucky Super Lawyers® 2007-2019, ranked the number one corporate lawyer in Kentucky, 2008 and 2009
One of only four Kentuckians to receive the Woodrow Wilson Leadership Award from the Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington, D.C., for Outstanding Community Service along with David Novak, former CEO of Yum! Owsley Brown, Jr., former CEO of Brown Forman and Christy Brown one of Louisville’s leading Philanthropist.
Recipient of the Catholic Education Foundation Community Service Award, 2013
Honorary Doctor of Laws, Bellarmine University, May 14, 2011
Recipient of Bellarmine’s Knight of Knights Award, 2005
Gold Cup Award for Outstanding Community Leadership, Greater Louisville, Inc., 2003
Hall of Fame, University of Kentucky College of Law, Member, 2003
Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Member, 2002
Tom Simons Leadership Award, Leadership Louisville Foundation, 2002
Louisvillian of the Year Award, 2001
Recipient of the Greater Louisville Inc.’s Silver Fleur-de-Lis Award for Chairing The Bridges Coalition, for 4 years for the successful completion of the Ohio River Bridges Project.
University of Kentucky Jefferson County Alumni Club All American Award, 2001
Recipient of the Communicator of the Year Award in 2018, presented by Public Relations Society of America, Bluegrass Chapter
Selected in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 as a Partner in Healthcare for distinguished service in support and development of the Greater Louisville Health Care Community
Recognized by County Judge/Executive of Grayson County in a Proclamation on September 13, 2001 naming the day “Ed Glasscock Day”
Co-Chairman – KY WINS! (An organization promoting expanding gaming in Kentucky)
Co-Chairman – Kentucky LIFT, Inc. (An organization promoting local option sales tax)
General Counsel, Louisville Arena Authority, 2005-2020
Kentucky Bar Association, Outstanding Service Award, 1975
American Bar Association
Kentucky Bar Association
Louisville Bar Association
University of Louisville, Member, Board of Overseers, 1991-present; Member, University of Louisville Athletic Board, 2009-2014
Kentucky Bar Association, Outstanding Service Award, 1975
American Bar Association Mergers and Acquisitions Committee, Member