Stites & Harbison, PLLC

". . . diplomatic litigator who knows how to pick her targets."

  - ChambersUSA 2010

". . . stands out in the market due to her strong litigation practice."

  - ChambersUSA 2009

". . . can determine the key facts of a case quickly and negotiate a resolution in order to avoid expensive litigation."

  - ChambersUSA 2008

". . . effective litigator . . . aggressive in a positive way."

  - ChambersUSA 2007

Shannon Hamilton is a seasoned litigator and counselor on complex employment law issues. She has lead trial counsel experience in employment litigation and has tried numerous employment cases to verdict. Shannon also has significant experience as trial counsel in other litigation areas, including personal injury, commercial and business tort litigation in addition to routinely handling EEOC charges and other administrative claims relating to discrimination under both state and federal law.

Her employment litigation practice focuses on defending employers against sexual harassment and retaliation claims, covenants not to compete, nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements

Shannon reviews and drafts employee handbooks, as well as negotiates and drafts covenants not-to-compete, employment agreements and severance agreements.

Shannon is co-chair of the firm's Employment Law Service Group and chair of our Diversity Committee. Shannon also spearheaded and now chairs the firm's women attorney initiative S.W.I.F.T. (Stites Women Investing in our Futures Together). She was recognized in the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business and in the 2007-10 Kentucky Super Lawyers magazine, where she was listed among the Top 25 Women Lawyers (2007) in the state.

Recent Assignments

• Lead counsel for plaintiff in Gardner Denver Drum LLC v. Peter Goodier and Tuthill Vacuum and Blower Systems, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20703 (2006), to enforce a covenant not to compete agreement
• Obtained a defense jury verdict in favor of her client in a state whistleblower action
• Obtained summary judgment in a five plaintiff age discrimination case

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

• Speak at Kentucky Chamber of Commerce seminar on ADA and New Legislation, April 13, 2009
• "Accomplishing the Impossible—Completing Employee Handbooks and Personal Policies," SHRM, October 8, 2008
• Speak at Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Seminar on Jury Verdicts, May 21, 2008
• "Navigating the New Horizons of Workforce Retention," Speech for 2008 SEC AAE Annual Conference, April 2008
• Speech at Southern Indiana Leadership Program on Diversity, February 13, 2008
• "Update on Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace," 19th Annual Kentucky Human Resources Update, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Louisville, Ky., June 6-7, 2007; Lexington, Ky., June 20-21, 2007

More Than Stites & Harbison

Shannon is the General Counsel of Women 4 Women, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and economic well-being of women and girls in the Louisville area.

Besides Stites & Harbison

In addition to taking care of her young daughter and son, Shannon is a University of Louisville fan ("Go, Cards!") and can often be found in the Green Parking Lot, hosting a tailgating party for her family and friends.