Honoring the Spirit of Justice: Mitzi and Michelle Wyrick to Receive Brown-Forman Award at Journey to Justice 2025
At this year’s Journey to Justice: We Have Lift Off event, Legal Aid Society is proud to recognize two extraordinary volunteers whose work embodies our mission to advance justice across our fifteen county service area. The evening will mark the presentation of the 10th Annual Brown-Forman Spirit of Justice Award to sisters Mitzi Wyrick and Michelle Wyrick, partners at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP and champions of pro bono legal service.
Since 2022, Mitzi and Michelle have been vital members of Legal Aid Society’s Volunteer Eviction Defense Program, providing critical legal representation to tenants facing eviction. Together, they have represented 44 clients and contributed nearly 500 hours of pro bono service. Their impact, however, extends far beyond the courtroom.
With creative leadership and an unwavering dedication to service, the Wyrick sisters launched a summer associate initiative that has significantly expanded Legal Aid’s capacity during our busiest months. They’ve also provided pivotal support in statewide housing appeals and efforts to strengthen tenant protections throughout the Commonwealth.
“We are very proud of Mitzi and Michelle and the leadership they have shown in the pro bono area,” said Franklin Jelsma, Managing Partner at Wyatt. “They help lead our firm’s commitment to pro bono work, which has continued to grow each year in both lawyer involvement and the types of legal work we provide.”
The Brown-Forman Spirit of Justice Award is given annually to a member or members of the community who demonstrates a deep dedication to upholding the principles of equal justice. Past recipients include Edward S. and Cornelia Bonnie (2015), R. James Straus (2016), The Honorable Boyce F. Martin III (2017), Stephen Reily (2018), Martha Hasselbacher (2019), Sadiqa Reynolds (2020), The Honorable Denise Clayton (2021), Marshall Eldred (2022), Stewart Pope (2023), and Marilyn Harris (2024) —individuals whose lives have reflected the same steadfast commitment to fairness, compassion, and the rule of law.
Mitzi and Michelle now join this distinguished group of honorees, standing as powerful examples of what it means to lead with heart and serve with purpose. Together, Mitzi and Michelle remind us that the law is not just a profession, it is a calling. Their work strengthens families, protects homes, and upholds the dignity of Kentuckians in crisis.
Please join us in honoring them at Journey to Justice on Thursday, September 25 - a night to celebrate Mitzi and Michelle’s leadership, dedication, and the boundless spirit of justice.
Michelle Wyrick
“I support the Legal Aid Society because Legal Aid attorneys play an important role in providing access to justice for people who otherwise could not afford an attorney... Having an attorney to provide a defense or even just to explain their legal options can make a big impact for someone facing a legal crisis.”
Michelle is a partner at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs and a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Service Team. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation and employment law, with extensive experience in complex litigation, including class actions and shareholder disputes. A graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Kentucky, Michelle serves as President of the Board of Keystone Learning Academy and co-leads Wyatt’s pro bono initiatives with her sister Mitzi.
Mitzi Wyrick
“Volunteering with the Legal Aid Society provides attorneys who have the privilege of practicing law the opportunity to address the unmet need for legal services... Helping clients stay in their homes or have a second chance when they have nowhere else to turn is truly meaningful.”
Mitzi is also a partner at Wyatt, where she focuses on commercial litigation, employment law, ERISA, and class actions, handling matters at both trial and appellate levels. Like her sister, she is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Kentucky. She is a board member for Dreams with Wings, which serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges.