Chair

Marjorie A. Farris

502-681-0496

Marjorie A. Farris currently serves as Chair of Stites & Harbison. She has practiced with the firm since graduating law school in 1995, and became a member of the firm in 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 has actively defended more than 75 class actions nationwide.

Recent Assignments

Successfully obtained summary judgment for a healthcare provider in Jefferson Circuit Court in a putative class action asserting claims for negligence, negligence per se, and invasion of privacy stemming from an alleged data breach disclosing patient information. Judgment was obtained prior to any class being certified.

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.

Bar Admissions

Admitted Pro Hac Vice in Several Jurisdictions

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

Firm Leadership

Chair of the Firm (2021-present)

Class Action and Multi-District Litigation Group, Co-Chair

Management Committee (2008-11) (2016-20)

Recruiting Committee, Co-Chair (2005-07); Management Member of Recruiting Committee (2016-20)

Office Executive Member – Louisville (2013-16)

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Leadership Louisville

,

Class of 2015

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

,

Member

Community Involvement

Legal Aid Society, Justice for All Campaign, Chair (2022)

Leadership Louisville, Finance Committee (2020-present)

Leadership Louisville Center, Board of Directors (2014-20)

Center for Women & Families, Board of Directors, Chair (2013-14) and Board Member (2007-15)

Leadership Louisville, Class of 2015

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana, Board of Directors (2005-13)

Education

J.D.,

1995

cum laude

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Org / Honor

Notes Editor of Law Review

Best Oralist Awards in 1994, National Environmental Moot Court Competition

B.A., History,

1992

with high distinction

Minor in Communications

University of Kentucky

Org / Honor

Phi Beta Kappa

Mortar Board

More Than Stites & Harbison

Marjorie is a member of the Finance Committee (2020-present) and former member of the Board of Directors for Leadership Louisville Center (2014-20). She is a past Chair (2013-14) of the Board of Directors for the Center for Women & Families and coordinated the firm’s Volunteer Lawyer Program from 2003-2008. She is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana. Marjorie enjoys travel, reading, attending college sporting events and spending time with family and friends, especially her two nephews.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers

Best Lawyers In America®, Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort/Class Actions – Defendants (2012-25)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2021)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2010-18, 2020-25)

Business First of Louisville, Business Women First Enterprising Women Awards, Honoree (2022)

Business First of Louisville, Forty Under 40 (2008)

Louisville Magazine Top Lawyers (2014, 2016)

Corporate Counsel, 2023 Women, Influence & Power in Law Award – Managing Partner of the Year (2023)

Testimonials

Marjorie is an excellent litigator, and I would highly recommend her.

Best Lawyers, client comment

. . . very strong advocate for our company whether in court, deposition, or in negotiating settlements.

Best Lawyers, client comment

Contact Resources

Marjorie Farris's LinkedIn Profile