Stites & Harbison, PLLC

John Bartlett has been a member of Stites & Harbison's Business and Litigation sections since 1978. His practice is diverse, but is principally focused on appellate advocacy, employee benefits, executive compensation and related employment matters, class action defense, and complex litigation. In addition to his service to clients of the firm, Mr. Bartlett serves as the principal in-firm administrator of the firm's employee benefits programs.

In the firm's Business section, Mr. Bartlett assists for-profit, non-profit, and governmental clients in designing and implementing employee pension and welfare benefit plans and programs, including retirement and health plans and executive compensation packages, and helps clients maintain compliance of their employee plans and programs with applicable laws. In the firm's Litigation section, Mr. Bartlett handles and assists in appeals in both federal and state courts, including experience in actions brought before the United States Supreme Court, and is part of Stites & Harbison's litigation teams handling defense of federal and state class actions and multidistrict and other complex litigation matters.

John is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2009-2012) for Employee (ERISA) Benefits Law and ERISA Litigation.

Recent Assignments

• Acting as employee benefits counsel and resolving employee benefits issues in sale of industrial coatings designer and manufacturer
• Litigation team member responsible for contract issues in extensive utility contract litigation between large international corporations
• Post-trial defense team for hospital obtaining favorable settlement of large medical negligence verdict
• Re-qualification with Internal Revenue Service of numerous client pension benefit plans
• Assistance to national trade association in efforts to ensure proper application of Buy America Act

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

Mr. Bartlett recently has spoken on "Compensation and Employee Benefits" as part of a Stites & Harbison team presenting a comprehensive two-day seminar on Employment Law sponsored by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. In 2003 Mr. Bartlett organized and hosted the presentation of an all-day Stites & Harbison seminar with Lorman Education Services on "Health Insurance Basics in Kentucky — and More."

Before Stites & Harbison

Mr. Bartlett served during 1972 - 1975 as an officer in the United States Air Force. Before entering military service, Mr. Bartlett was a Ford Foundation Fellow during graduate studies at the University of Florida where he was a graduate assistant professor of English in 1970-1971.

More Than Stites & Harbison

Mr. Bartlett is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Phi Beta Kappa of Kentuckiana and a member of the Schools Committee of the Harvard Club of Western Kentucky. During 1992-1998, he was a member of the Board of Directors and General Counsel for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Inc.

Besides Stites & Harbison

Mr. Bartlett has remained a devotee of literature of all kinds since his days in graduate and law school and is a dedicated follower of many sports, particularly tennis, as John's daughter Adrienne and son Christopher compete in the USTA Southern Region junior circuit. His wife of 26 years, Holly, owns and conducts a pet care service business in eastern Louisville Metro and in surrounding counties.