Attorneys

Attorney

Joshua F. Barnette

Atlanta, GA

Lexington, KY

Atlanta office:
404-739-8832

Lexington office: 859-226-2318

Josh Barnette is an attorney in the firm’s Atlanta and Lexington offices. He is a member of the Torts & Insurance, Business Litigation, and White Collar Criminal Defense practice groups. He advises clients through all phases of litigation, including appeals, in state and federal courts. He regularly represents and advises businesses, non-profits, and individuals in the areas of commercial litigation, fiduciary duties, torts and insurance, construction litigation, employment litigation, professional liability, and federal criminal defense.

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Business Litigation

Employment Litigation

Litigation & Appeals

Product Liability Litigation

White Collar Criminal Defense Litigation

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Stites & Harbison and Tucker Ellis Obtain Defense Verdict in Wrongful Death Mesothelioma Case Where Plaintiff Sought $20.5 Million

Stites & Harbison Case Profile, May 18, 2022 with Matthew W. Breetz

Kentucky’s Prisons, COVID, and No Compassionate Release

with Michael Denbow,

Kentucky Bar Association, Bench & Bar Magazine, January-February 2021

The Perfect Storm? A Look at the Federal Compassionate Release Program Following the First Step Act and a Worldwide Pandemic

with Michael Denbow,

Kentucky Bar Association, Bench & Bar Magazine, January-February 2021

Responding to and Defending Government Investigations: What to do When the Government “Knocks” On Your Door

Kentucky Bar Association Corporate House Counsel, Webinar, February 10, 2021

with Michael Denbow

No Good Deed: Protecting Yourself and Your Business from a Governmental Investigation Concerning Your PPP Loan

with Michael Denbow,

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, May 13, 2020

Kentucky Enacts Certificate of Merit Requirement for Filing Medical Liability Cases

with Ashley W. Ward,

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, July 23, 2019

Recent Assignments

Successfully defended coal mining equipment manufacturer in asbestos-related wrongful death trial.

Successfully defended Kentucky non-profit and its board of directors against claims of conflict of interest, conversion, and fraud resulting in dismissal of all claims with prejudice.

Obtained dismissal, affirmed on appeal, of professional negligence / legal malpractice claims against Kentucky attorney.

Represented small business owner in federal fraud investigation resulting in no charges.

Represented federal grand jury witness in gun/drug conspiracy resulting in no charges against witness.

Represented attorney in civil fraud, civil RICO and professional negligence lawsuit brought in relation to captive insurance program.

Obtained dismissal of civil conspiracy and negligence claims against Georgia attorney and law firm concerning real estate transaction.

Secured agreed order of dismissal of all fraud claims during deposition of plaintiff.

Represented small business owner in fraud and breach of fiduciary duties lawsuit.

Obtained dismissal of indictment brought against client in Eastern District of Kentucky.

Represented federal inmate on post-conviction matters in Eastern District of Kentucky, on brief in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and on petition before the United States Supreme Court.

Successfully mediated numerous lawsuits involving claims ranging from municipal liability to breach of contract.

Represented small business owner in breach of contract lawsuit resulting in Court denying request for money judgment.

Successfully defended trucking company against wrongful termination claims.

Bar Admissions

Georgia

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 Middle District of Georgia

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. Supreme Court

Firm Leadership

Office of General Counsel, Member

Diversity Committee, Member

Recruiting Committee, Atlanta Office, Member

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Fayette County Bar Association

State Bar of Georgia

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ( KACDL)

Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Community Involvement

AthensWest Theatre Company, Board Member (2018-22)

Seedleaf, Inc., Board Member (2018-20)

Education

J.D.,

University of Kentucky College of Law

Org / Honor

Kentucky Law Journal, Managing Articles Editor, Staff Editor

CALI Award in Legal Research and Writing; Central Kentucky American Inn of Court Pupil

Trial Advocacy Board

United States District Court Fellow

Master of Public Administration,

Columbus State University

B.S., Social Science, Criminal Justice,

Minor in Psychology

Mercer University

More Than Stites & Harbison

Josh came to the firm after serving as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Kentucky. Previously, he participated in the firm’s summer associate program and served as a legal intern for the Hon. Karen K. Caldwell, Chief U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Kentucky. Before going to law school, Josh was a United States Probation Officer for the Northern District of Georgia and served as a Management Specialist and Probation Officer for the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Outside of the firm, Josh enjoys domestic and international travel – especially when paired with culinary indulgences – and loves all things outdoors, particularly hiking and camping. He is active in the Lexington community, serving on the Board of two local non-profits, AthensWest Theatre Company and Seedleaf, Inc. He routinely looks for ways to stretch the boundaries of his comfort zone and, in doing so, has found himself participating in multiple 200+ mile relay runs and one ultramarathon.

Accolades

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones To Watch, Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2024-25)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2024-25)

Contact Resources

Joshua F. Barnette's PDF Joshua F. Barnette's Contact VCF

Joshua Barnette's LinkedIn Profile

See more related to Joshua Barnette

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 47 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2025 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 47 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 34 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 13 attorneys to the Rising Stars list. A number of Stites & Harbison attorneys...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

December 27, 2024

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications

Honorees Include 12 as “Lawyer of the Year,” 98 in Best Lawyers in America® and 31 in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 16, 2024

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers® recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 35 attorneys to the Super Lawyers® list and 14 attorneys to the Rising Stars® list. A number of Stites & Harbison attorneys...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

January 12, 2024

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 24, 2023

Articles

Kentucky’s Prisons, COVID, and No Compassionate Release

The Kentucky Department of Corrections is not immune from the same pandemic issues faced by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. As of December 4, 2020, the Department of Corrections (“DOC”) operated 14 correctional institutions with 10,000 inmates. At the time of this writing, 2,895 inmates and 456 employees have tested...
by Joshua F. Barnette and Michael Denbow

February 24, 2021

Articles

The Perfect Storm? A Look at the Federal Compassionate Release Program Following the First Step Act and a Worldwide Pandemic

Juan Alberto Fernandez pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in November 2014. Statutorily, Mr. Fernandez faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. However, because of his lengthy criminal history–which included, among other things, 10 prior convictions for possession of controlled...
by Joshua F. Barnette and Michael Denbow

February 24, 2021

Client Alerts

No Good Deed: Protecting Yourself and Your Business from a Governmental Investigation Concerning Your PPP Loan

In a time when more than $650 billion in stimulus funds are being pumped through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the potential for bad actors to create havoc for business owners reliant upon these mostly forgivable loans is almost guaranteed. After the SBA ostensibly announced the...
by Joshua F. Barnette and Michael Denbow

May 13, 2020

Client Alerts

Kentucky Enacts Certificate of Merit Requirement for Filing Medical Liability Cases

The Kentucky General Assembly has enacted KRS 411.167 which now requires a claimant commencing any civil action against a healthcare provider, or long-term care facility, to file a “certificate of merit” when the complaint is filed. This new requirement applies to any new lawsuits against healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses,...
by Joshua F. Barnette and Ashley W. Ward

July 23, 2019

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