Related Information
Education
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University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
J.D., cum laude, 1995
Notes Editor of law review; Best Oralist Awards in 1994, National Environmental Moot Court Competition
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University of Kentucky
B.A., with high distinction, 1992
History with minor in Communications
Phi Beta Kappa; Mortar Board
Admissions
Kentucky
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
Admitted pro hac vice in several jurisdictions
Service Areas
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Appellate Advocacy
- Business Litigation
- Civil Litigation
- Class Action, Mass Action & Multi-District Litigation
- Commercial Disputes - Contracts and Business Torts
- Complex / Large Litigation
- Pretrial Practice & eDiscovery
- Employee Benefits
- Fiduciary Duty, Trade Secret and Unfair Competition Litigation
- Financial Institutions Litigation and Subprime Litigation
- Insurance Coverage, Bad Faith and Regulatory Litigation
- Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Device Liability Defense
- Multi-State, Multi-District and Serial Litigation
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability (Non-Medical Professionals)
- Torts & Insurance Practice
- Toxic Tort & Environmental Defense
Industry Experience
- Arbitration / Mediation / Dispute Resolution
- Automotive & Manufacturing Facilities
- Banking / Financial Services
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences
- Chemical & Allied Products / Plastics
- Consumer Products / Food / Beverage
- Health Care
- Industrial / Manufacturing Facilities
- Insurance Carriers/Brokers/Agents
- Pharmaceutical / Medical Devices
- Restaurants / Food Services
- Retail/Distribution
- Technology / Hardware / Software
- Telecommunications
- Transportation, Highways & Bridges
- Utilities / Infrastructure
- Wholesalers / Distributors
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Louisville Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Community Involvement
Marjorie A. Farris has practiced with the firm since graduating from law school in 1995 and has been a Member of the firm since 2003. Ms. Farris is an experienced trial lawyer who has handled a wide variety of litigation ranging from products liability, insurance bad faith, ERISA, complex business litigation, and class actions. She is co-chair of the firm's Class Action and Multi-District Litigation Group and has actively defended more than 50 class actions nationwide.
Ms. Farris was a member of the firm's Management Committee from 2008-2011 and was co-chair of the Recruiting Committee from 2005-2007.
Recent Assignments
- Obtained summary judgment for defendant in putative class action asserting multiple claims arising from alleged data breach.
- Primary drafter of brief and participated in oral argument in defeating motion for nationwide class certification in Washington state.
- Successfully defended a complex business litigation case involving dispute over sale of a business seeking millions of dollars in compensatory and punitive damages.
- Successfully defended breach of contract claim and pursued counterclaim for contract damages in dispute between two business entities for component parts.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
- Author, Kentucky section in the ABA's publication Survey of State Class Action Law (included in Newberg on Class Actions) 1999-present
- "Class Action Defense Primer," co-author and presenter, Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc., 2012 Spring Semester, May 11, 2012
- "Supreme Court Enforces Arbitration Clause Limiting Class-Action Lawsuits," Stites & Harbison, PLLC, Client Alert, April 26, 2011
- "Introduction to Employment Law Class Actions," co-author and presenter, Louisville Bar Association, Nov. 14, 2002
- "Navigating the Class Action Maze," co-author and presenter, Louisville Bar Association, Dec. 4, 2001
Before Stites & Harbison
When it came to her law career, Ms. Farris was single-minded. "I knew I wanted to be a litigator from the very beginning."
More than Stites & Harbison
Marjorie was named to the "Forty under 40" list by Business First of Louisville in September 2008 and is listed in the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. She is also listed the Best Lawyers In America© (2012) for Mass Tort Litigation and in Kentucky Super Lawyersmagazine (2010-11). She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Women & Families and coordinated the firm's Volunteer Lawyer Program from September 2003 - September 2008, which provides pro bono legal services for victims of domestic violence. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana. She also is a graduate of Ignite Louisville, a 6-month leadership development course for young professionals.
Besides Stites & Harbison
Ms. Farris enjoys golf, travel, reading, attending college sporting events and spending time with family and friends, especially her two nephews.