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Stites & Harbison PLLC

United States 2025
National flag for United States 8 National Rankings
93 Regional Rankings
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Overview

A full service Southeastern-based law firm representing clients across the United States and internationally, Stites & Harbison PLLC is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation, and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. The firm represents a broad spectrum of clients including multinational corporations, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, health care organizations, manufacturers, private companies, nonprofit organizations, family-owned businesses and individuals. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of the oldest law practices in the nation.

The firm maintains 11 offices across six states--Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia--and is able to service the needs of international clients with its memberships in Business Counsel, Inc. and Lex Mundi. Additionally, Stites & Harbison is a member of The Harmonie Group, the national network of top litigation law firms, and is the Kentucky representative to the prestigious Southern Law Network.

Founded:
1832
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
81
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
95

Rankings

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
National Ranking
Trademark Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Construction Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
3
National Ranking
Litigation - Intellectual Property

Regional

Atlanta

Tier
1
Atlanta
Construction Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
2
Atlanta
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
Atlanta
Litigation - Construction
Tier
2
Atlanta
Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
2
Atlanta
Real Estate Law

Firm Leadership

Marjorie A. Farris
Chair

About Our Clients

AEGON USA Investment Management, Inc.
AFL Telecommunications
Air Products and Chemicals (A/P)
Akebono Corporation
The Alliance of Community Hospices & Palliative Care Services, Inc.
American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc.
Appriss, Inc. formerly Interactive Systems, LLC (d.b.a. The VINE Company)
Ashland Inc.
BioFocus
Bluegrass Conservancy
Boston Scientific
Brown-Forman Corporation
Caldwell Tanks, Inc.
Cardiovascular Innovation Institute (CII)
Carnett
Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialiation
Churchill Downs
Commonwealth Bank & Trust Company
Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company
The Cordish Company
Corrections Corporation of America
Deepwater Wind
Delta Dental
Emerson Electric Co.
Fidelity Bank
Fifth Third Bank
Genscape, Inc.
Gray Construction
Greater Louisville Medical Society
Grindmaster-Cecilware Corporation
Hoover Precision Products
Interactive Gaming Council (IGC)
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
KFC Corporation
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board
Life Before Us (d/b/a YO)
Louisville Ladder, Inc.
Louisville Metro Housing Authority
Louisville Regional Airport Authority
M.A. Mortenson Company
NASA
Pernod Richard USA, Inc.
Pizza Hut
PNC Bank, N.A.
Purdue Pharma, L.P.
Regenersis
Reliastar Life Insurance Company
Republic Bank & Trust Company
River Fields, Inc.
Robert Bosch Corporation
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company
Stonestreet Stables, LLC
United Community Bank
University Medical Center, Inc.
The University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
University of Tennessee Research Foundation
Vanderbilt Minerals
Vogt Power International
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Wearwell, Inc.
Yum! Brands

Highlighted Client Comments

These featured testimonials reflect a sampling of client experiences. As every legal matter is unique—comments are personal opinions, not guarantees of future results.
Commercial Litigation
Excellent, very responsive and professional attorneys. I would recommend them to anyone and have done so. I would not hesitate to use the firm again.
Tony Cascino
AVMA/PLIT
Commercial Litigation
I have worked with several attorneys at Stites & Harbison in different areas of law ranging from government regulation of utilities to real estate and patent and trademark work. Each of the attorneys have exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend the firm.
Chris Cogan
Carroll Cogan
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Deep intellectual property expertise and litigation experience.
Paula Grisanti
National Stem Cell Foundation
Insurance Law
Excellent lawyers with significant experience
Adam Kaiser
Alston & Bird, LLP
Real Estate Law
Hal Gill, managing partner of the Atlanta office handles all my real estate transactions. He is my primary contact with the firm. Other partners and associates have been equally responsive to my needs under Hal's guidance. I have dealt with some complex situations and have trust that the firm is evaluating all options and guiding me to risk adjusted solutions.
Dave Schmit
Schmit+Associates LLC
Construction Law
first class, professional, knowledgeable and responsive counsel on a myriad of complex construction matters. Honest and early advice allowing for an early assessment of the path forward with a focus on allowing clients to make informed decisions. . As a general counsel, it makes life easier when you know you turn matters and disputes over to Stites Harbison knowing that the matter will receive the attention that the matter deserves and requires by top of the line counsel.
Michael Strong
Garney Construction
Employment Law - Management
I had excellent employment law experience and representation with Stites & Harbison.
Charles "Skip" Miller
Executive Director – Louisville Regional Airport Authority
Environmental Law
Stites & Harbison has a detailed knowledge of environmental issues coupled with real concern for the environment.
Kerry Mattox
President – Egyptian Lacquer Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Corporate Law
Stites & Harbison has excellent attorneys with extreme professionalism, civility, and flexibility to meet.
Francis Duque, M.D.
One Anesthesia, PLLC
Real Estate Law
Stites & Harbison has been very responsive to our needs and have provided timely and accurate assessments on our real estate transactions.
 
Real Estate Law
Stites & Harbison offers great advice. They have great people and are a great value.
 
Employment Law - Management
Stites & Harbison has excellent service, superior knowledge and very rapid response time.
 
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Stites & Harbison attorneys are responsive, thorough and precise.
 

Rankings

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
National Ranking
Trademark Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Construction Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
3
National Ranking
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
3
National Ranking
Mining Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Real Estate Law

Regional

Atlanta

Tier
1
Atlanta
Construction Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
2
Atlanta
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
Atlanta
Litigation - Construction
Tier
2
Atlanta
Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
2
Atlanta
Real Estate Law
Tier
3
Atlanta
Tax Law

Cincinnati

Tier
1
Cincinnati
Litigation - Construction
Tier
2
Cincinnati
Commercial Litigation

Lexington

Tier
1
Lexington
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Appellate Practice
Tier
1
Lexington
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Lexington
Construction Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Copyright Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Energy Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Health Care Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Insurance Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
Lexington
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
Lexington
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
Lexington
Mediation
Tier
1
Lexington
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Lexington
Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
1
Lexington
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Lexington
Tax Law
Tier
2
Lexington
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
2
Lexington
Commercial Finance Law
Tier
2
Lexington
Corporate Governance Law
Tier
2
Lexington
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
2
Lexington
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
2
Lexington
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
2
Lexington
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
Lexington
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Tier
2
Lexington
Mining Law
Tier
3
Lexington
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
3
Lexington
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
3
Lexington
Natural Resources Law
Tier
3
Lexington
Trusts and Estates

Louisville

Tier
1
Louisville
Appellate Practice
Tier
1
Louisville
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Louisville
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Louisville
Construction Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Copyright Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
Louisville
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Health Care Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Information Technology Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
Louisville
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Louisville
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
Louisville
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
Louisville
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
Louisville
Patent Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Louisville
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Louisville
Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
1
Louisville
Public Finance Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Louisville
Trademark Law
Tier
2
Louisville
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
2
Louisville
Labor Law - Management
Tier
2
Louisville
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier
2
Louisville
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
2
Louisville
Litigation - Patent
Tier
2
Louisville
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Louisville
Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
2
Louisville
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
3
Louisville
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Memphis

Tier
1
Memphis
Corporate Law
Tier
3
Memphis
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Tier
3
Memphis
Tax Law

Nashville

Tier
1
Nashville
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Nashville
Copyright Law
Tier
1
Nashville
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Nashville
Family Law
Tier
1
Nashville
Family Law Mediation
Tier
1
Nashville
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Nashville
Trademark Law
Tier
2
Nashville
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
2
Nashville
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
2
Nashville
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
2
Nashville
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
2
Nashville
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
Tier
2
Nashville
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
3
Nashville
Insurance Law
Tier
3
Nashville
Litigation - Banking and Finance

Practice Areas

Stites & Harbison PLLC has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 52 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Antitrust Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Arbitration
  • Aviation Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Collaborative Law: Family Law
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Communications Law
  • Construction Law
  • Copyright Law
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Employment Law - Individuals
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Energy Law
  • Energy Regulatory Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Equipment Finance Law
  • Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
  • Family Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Franchise Law
  • Gaming Law
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Health Care Law
  • Information Technology Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Union
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Litigation - Antitrust
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Litigation - ERISA
  • Litigation - Health Care
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Litigation - Patent
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Mediation
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Mining Law
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Patent Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Public Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Tax Law
  • Trade Secrets Law
  • Trademark Law
  • Transportation Law
  • Trusts and Estates
  • Utilities Law
  • Venture Capital Law
  • Water Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Stites & Harbison PLLC proudly has 95 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Offices & Contacts

Louisville, KY
400 West Market Street, Suite 1800
Louisville, KY 40202-3352
United States
502-587-3400
Get Directions
West Hartford, CT
71 Raymond Road
West Hartford, CT 06107
United States
860-616-5572
Get Directions
Atlanta, GA
303 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2800
Atlanta, GA 30308
United States
404-739-8800
Get Directions
Jeffersonville, IN
323 East Court Avenue
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
United States
812-282-7566
Get Directions
Covington, KY
100 East RiverCenter Boulevard, Suite 450
Covington, KY 41011
United States
859-652-7600
Get Directions
Frankfort, KY
421 West Main Street
P.O. Box 634
Frankfort, KY 40602-0634
United States
502-223-3477
Get Directions
Lexington, KY
250 West Main Street, Suite 2300
Lexington, KY 40507-1758
United States
859-226-2300
Get Directions
Mason, OH
5325 Deerfield Boulevard
Mason, OH 45040
United States
513-445-6597
Get Directions
Franklin, TN
604 West Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
United States
615-595-0636
Get Directions
Memphis, TN
6410 Poplar Avenue, Suite 180
Memphis, TN 38119
United States
901-866-8975
Get Directions
Nashville, TN
401 Commerce Street, Suite 800
Nashville, TN 37219
United States
615-782-2200
Get Directions
Alexandria, VA
1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 325
Alexandria, VA 22314
United States
703-739-4900
Get Directions
Trust & Estate Planning/Domestic Service Group
Torts and Insurance Practice Service Group, Co-Leader
Torts and Insurance Practice Service Group, Co-Leader
Real Estate and Banking Service Group
Intellectual Property & Technology Service Group
Insurance Regulatory
Health Care Service Group
Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Service Group
Employment Service Group
Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Service Group
Construction Service Group
Business Litigation Service Group
Business & Finance Service Group
Domestic Service Group
Richard S. Myers Jr.
Management Committee
Walter S. Robertson
Management Committee
Richard M. Wehrle
Management Committee
Carol Dan Browning
Management Committee
Erika R. Barnes
Management Committee
Thad M. Barnes
Management Committee
Derek Halliburton, C.P.A
Executive Director
Kimberly G. Schmittel
Director of Marketing & Business Development
Marjorie A. Farris
Chair of the Firm
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