Marjorie A. Farris
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.
Business of Law: Inside the rise of women leaders at Louisville's top law firms
by Steve Kaufman, Louisville Business First, August 13, 2021
Legal services: Smooth, smart pandemic pivot in Louisville law firms
by Lorie Hailey, The Lane Report, June 29, 2021
Marjorie Farris to Be First Woman to Lead Stites & Harbison Law Firm
The Lane Report, November 5, 2020
Marjorie Farris to Be First Woman to Lead Stites & Harbison Law Firm
FranklinIs.com, November 2, 2020
Stites & Harbison names its first female chairperson
Louisville Business First, November 2, 2020
Kentucky section in the ABA's publication Survey of State Class Action Law (included in Newberg on Class Actions)
Class Action Defense Primer
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
Chair of the Firm (2021-present)
Class Action and Multi-District Litigation Group, Co-Chair
Management Committee (2008-11) (Feb. 2016- Jan. 2020)
Recruiting Committee, Co-Chair (2005-07); Management Member (2016-20)
Office Executive Member - Louisville (2013-16)
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 Member (2007-15)
Leadership Louisville, Class of 2015
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana, Board of Directors (2005-13)
cum laude
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
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Notes Editor of Law Review
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Best Oralist Awards in 1994, National Environmental Moot Court Competition
with high distinction
Minor in Communications
University of Kentucky
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Phi Beta Kappa
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Mortar Board
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.
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 (2012-22)
Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants (2021)
Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2010-18, 2020-21)
Business First of Louisville, Forty Under 40 (2008)
Louisville Magazine Top Lawyers (2014, 2016)
Marjorie is an excellent litigator, and I would highly recommend her.
. . . very strong advocate for our company whether in court, deposition, or in negotiating settlements.
