Stites & Harbison, PLLC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A recent survey of top law firm managing partners conducted by Edge International, an international legal consulting firm, identified Stites & Harbison Chairman Kennedy Helm III as one of the Top 10 managing partners most admired for excellence in leadership by his peers.

When asked what leadership and management qualities made their selection admirable, the most common responses included: a willingness to get people within the firm aligned, and a commitment to maintaining the core values of the firm.

According to Michael J. Anderson, a principal with Edge International, specific comments about Helm, who was elected chairman of Stites & Harbison in 1997, included he "spends ample time thinking and speaking to the partners about the future direction of the firm and their practices and adjusts the direction to a new course as required," and that he "had vision, foresight and leadership ability to take his firm to the next level."

"Kennedy developed a long-range vision for the firm to focus its energies in the southeast region," said Mike Cronan, senior partner in the Louisville office of Stites & Harbison.  "This focus has led to expansion into Atlanta and Nashville, and today Stites & Harbison is one of the largest southeastern based firms in the U.S."

Stites & Harbison also has embarked on an award-winning total quality service program and has pursued an award-winning print advertising and marketing program.

"Kennedy has a unique management style that enables him to build consensus and get results," said Cronan.  "This recognition by peers is truly deserving."

Others identified in the survey included Bob Dell, chairman at Latham & Watkins; Regina Pisa, chairman and managing partner at Goodwin Procter; Lee Miller, joint chief executive officer of DLA Piper; Ben Johnson, managing partner at Alston & Bird; Cesar Alvarez, president and CEO of Greenberg, Traurig; Bob Odle, (retired) managing partner at Hogan & Hartson; Patrick McCartan, (retired) managing partner at Jones Day; Ralph Baxter, chairman and CEO of Orrick; and Keith Vaughan, chair and managing member of Womble Carlyle.

About Stites & Harbison

Stites & Harbison, PLLC, is a regional business and litigation firm with attorneys in Atlanta; Alexandria, Va.; Nashville and Franklin, Tenn.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington, Ky.; and Washington, D.C.  Fifty-six Stites & Harbison lawyers are named in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and nearly 70 percent of all members and counsel to the firm are listed as AV™-rated in the current Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory®.  www.stites.com

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