Ashley Owens Hopkins
Ashley Hopkins is an experienced litigator and counselor on employment law issues, in addition to years of practice in tort and insurance defense. She has trial experience in employment cases involving discrimination and retaliation under several federal statutes, including the ADA, FMLA and FLSA. In addition, she frequently counsels clients on non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, employee handbooks and other day-to-day employment issues.
2015 Employment Law Update
Completed wage and hour audit of Kentucky facilities for an international client.
Conducted in-depth investigation into corporate culture and race issues at a facility for a nationwide company.
Drafted employment agreements, severance agreements, independent contractor agreements and many other employment related documents.
Provided day-to-day counsel to a multitude of clients regarding general employee issues.
Successfully represented client in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed the dismissal of a variety of employment-related claims. Popeck v. Rawlings Company, Inc., No. 19-5092 (6th Cir. Oct. 16, 2019)
Represented at trial a large healthcare recovery industry leader in case tried to a verdict in federal court in the Western District of Kentucky.
Represented international recycling manufacturer in the trial of employment claims in Kentucky state court.
Successfully drafted, argued and won motions for summary judgment in multiple employment law cases.
Successfully drafted Sixth Circuit appellate brief that resulted in the district court's summary judgment opinion in our client's favor being upheld.
American Inns of Court
Leadership Lexington, Graduate (2010-11)
Alzheimer’s Association Walk, Stites & Harbison team member and fundraiser
Stites & Harbison Wellness Committee
Young Friends of the Bluegrass Conservancy
American Diabetes Association, former Community Leadership Board member
University of Kentucky College of Law
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Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Law, Comments Editor (2008-09), Staff Member (2007-08), Comment, "The Jury's Role in Eminent Domain Compensation," published Spring 2009
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Gilliam Writing Club Award for Excellence, Oral Argument
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Honor Council (2006-08)
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Equine Law Society
cum laude
Minor in English
Vanderbilt University
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Senior Class Officer
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Dean's List
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Alternative Spring Break, team member
Prior to joining the firm, Ashley worked for Deloitte Consulting in Dallas. She was also a summer clerk for the Hon. Joseph M. Hood, Eastern District of Kentucky. Ashley is a graduate of the 2010-11 Leadership Lexington class. In addition, she was recently nominated as a member of the American Inns of Court. She is also an active member of Stites & Harbison’s Wellness Committee, which promotes healthy living in the workplace. Ashley enjoys being outdoors, reading books, and spending time with friends and family.
Information You Need on the COVID-19 Coronavirus
Stites & Harbison has assembled a Coronavirus Response Team which consists of a cross-disciplinary task force of attorneys and critical staff members to ensure our firm remains “On the Job” for you. Updated 08/03/20
Older Workers Cannot Be Barred from Returning to Work: How to Be Mindful about Returning Older Employees to the Workplace
On June 11, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its guidelines to state that the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) “would prohibit a covered employer from involuntarily excluding an individual from the workplace based on his or her [age] being 65 or older, even if the employer acted for benevolent reasons such as protecting the employee due to higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.”
Sixth Circuit: No Accommodation Without Documentation
Navigating an employee’s request for an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) can feel like walking a tightrope—an employee’s requested accommodation may appear to exceed the limits of all reasonableness, but it can be difficult to know when an employer can finally say “no” without fear of liability. A recent decision from the Sixth Circuit provides helpful guidance on this issue.
Sixth Circuit: Perfect Attendance Policies Must Not Disadvantage Employees Who Take FMLA Leave
Many employers have policies that reward perfect attendance in some fashion. A recent ruling from the Sixth Circuit makes clear that, in many cases, such policies must not consider leave taken pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) as something that “resets” the employee’s attendance streak.
Stites & Harbison Promotes Five Attorneys in 2019
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announced today that five attorneys have been promoted within the law firm effective January 2019.
Supreme Court Ruling and Your Pregnant Employees