Stites & Harbison, PLLC

Robert M. Beck, Jr.

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"A first-rate equine lawyer who is pragmatic and great to work with."

  - ChambersUSA 2010

". . . client-focused . . . "

  - Chambers USA 2005

Mr. Beck, a transactional lawyer, has represented both domestic and foreign clients in the purchase, sale or syndication of bloodstock valued at more than $600 million. Mr. Beck also regularly provides corporate and financing legal counsel to equine industry participants, including banks, horse farms, trainers, and organizers of multiple ownership arrangements for racing and breeding syndicates.

Mr. Beck helps companies with general corporate law, commercial lending and mergers and acquisitions.

Recent Assignments

• Represented a Central Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding farm in the acquisition of an interest in and syndication of RACHEL ALEXANDRA, the 2009 Kentucky Oaks and Preakness champion
• Represented a Central Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding farm in the acquisition of an interest in and syndication of BIG BROWN, the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner
• Represented a group of purchasers in 2007 in the acquisition of the thoroughbred colt CURLIN prior to his wins in the Preakness and the Breeders Cup Classic which resulted in the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year
• Represented Central Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding farm in the acquisition of an interest in and syndication of the Thoroughbred colt SMARTY JONES who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and finished second in the 2004 Belmont Stakes, falling just short of becoming the first Triple Crown Winner in 28 years
• Represented a group of investors in the sale of all of the stock in one of the country's largest distributors of golf cart parts and accessories to a private equity firm
• Represented a South American company in establishing a new horse farm in Argentina, marketing a joint venture with U.S. investors and importing two U.S. stallions for Southern Hemisphere breeding duties

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

Bob has made several presentations at the University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar in the last decade. The most recent presentation, in 2008, was "Preventing and Addressing Ownership Disputes in Co-Ownership Situations."  He has also made presentations to various banking groups on lending money with horses as collateral as well as the following:

• "Drafting to avoid owner disputes in equine contracts," 26th Annual National Conference on Equine Law, Lexington, Ky., May 4, 2011
• "Chapter 11: Business Combinations: Non-Tax Considerations," Kentucky Corporation Law, 2d ed. (2010), University of Kentucky CLE Publications, co-authored with Kenneth R. Sagan and R. Kelley Rosenbaum, Oct. 2010
• "The Role of State Governments in Horse Racing in the United States,"  First Congress of Racing in the Americas, Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 2008
• Co-Author: "Multiple Ownership Arrangements for Investing in The Horse Business," University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar 2003
• "Legal Aspects of Stallion Management and Syndication," University of Kentucky CLE publication, 2000
• "Developments in Equine Breeding Syndications," University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 1999
• "Legal and Business Issues With Cross-Hemisphere Stallion Breeding Agreements," University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 1995
• "Counseling Clients In The Selection And Financing Of Business Entities," Business Formations and Terminations In Kentucky, University of Kentucky, 1993
• Author: "Purchase and Sale of Equine Assets Under the United Nations Convention On Contracts For The International Sale of Goods," University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 1989
• "Restrictions On The Transfer of Stock and Stock Purchase Agreements," Kentucky Business Organizations, University of Kentucky, 1989

More than Stites & Harbison

Bob's civic and community involvement has included memberships on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Fayette County Bar Association and the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, which he previously served as President. He is a founder, member of the Board of Directors and former president of the American College of Equine Attorneys. Mr. Beck is also chair of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, appointed by Governor Steve Beshear. He also served on the Governor's Task Force on the Future of Racing in Kentucky.  He has been the Planning Committee chair for the University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar for five years and has served as a member of the committee for over 20 years.  Bob is a member of the Board of Directors of BB&T in Central Kentucky. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2006-2012) in Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law for 2012 and was named Best Lawyers' 2012 Lexington Mergers & Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year.  He has been listed in Chambers USA Client's Guide to "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" for 2004-2011 and in Kentucky Super Lawyers magazine for 2007-2011.

Besides Stites & Harbison

Mr. Beck is a licensed Thoroughbred racehorse owner and enjoys Thoroughbred racing, golf, tennis and travel with his wife and two daughters.