Rachel Owsley
Rachel is a transactional attorney who focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and compliance matters, ESOP transactions, and commercial transactions. Rachel represents domestic and international businesses operating across the United States and internationally. She enjoys serving as outside general counsel for business leaders and working closely with in house legal departments to ensure both day-to-day and significant strategic transactions and other matters are handled expertly and efficiently.
Outside general counsel to clients in the aerospace, telecommunications, manufacturing, fashion, construction, food and beverage industries.
Serves as counsel to the sellers and buyers of businesses including retail businesses, construction companies, franchised locations, state and federal contractors, healthcare facilities, and others.
Represents businesses, fiduciaries, and shareholders in transactions involving the establishment, releveraging, and termination of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
Advises businesses entering into a wide variety of significant commercial transactions, including supply agreements, manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements, marketing agreements, advertising agreements, confidentiality or nondisclosure agreements, services agreements, warehouse agreements, and licensing agreements.
Counsels contractors, airports, and other agencies on matters relating to compliance with state and federal legal requirements, including issues relating to state or federally-funded procurement and contracting, relocation programs, policies governing expressive conduct, and federal civil rights programs.
Represents entities seeking or opposing disclosure of records under the Federal Freedom of Information Act and the Kentucky Open Records Act.
Audit Letter Response Committee, Member
Diversity Committee, Member
Escrow Committee, Member
Opinions Committee, Member
Hispanic National Bar Association Latina Executive Leadership Program, Class of 2021
Leadership Louisville, Class of 2021
Maryhurst, Inc., Board of Directors and Corporate Secretary (2012-18)
magna cum laude
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
-
University of Louisville Law Review (formerly Brandeis Law Journal), Editor in Chief
-
Brandeis Honor Society
-
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
-
Stites & Harbison Leadership Award
-
Chief Justice John S. Palmore Award
summa cum laude
Hanover College
-
Phi Sigma Iota President
-
Spanish Club Vice President
-
Alumni Association Award for Exemplary Scholarship, Character and Citizenship
-
Department Honors; Distinguished Award in Spanish
-
Richter Grant Recipient
-
Student Academic Assistance Committee
-
Dean's List
-
Student Athlete Award
-
Tennis Heartland Athletic Conference Champion
Rachel joined Stites & Harbison in September 2007 after participating in the firm's summer associate program in 2005 and 2006. During college, Rachel studied Spanish and Latin American literature and culture, which led her to volunteer and study in Mexico, Ecuador, and Spain.
In her spare time, Rachel loves to travel and explore new places with her husband and sons.
Spanish
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Amendments to Kentucky Open Records Act Set to Become Effective June 29, 2021
In its 2021 regular session, the Kentucky General Assembly passed, and ultimately overrode Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of, House Bill 312 to amend the Kentucky Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to KRS 61.884. Effective as of June 29, 2021, among other changes, the amended Act will restrict inspection rights to Kentucky “residents,” require public agencies to accept emailed open records requests, and extend public agencies’ time for handling requests from three days to five days.
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 02/04/21
Stites & Harbison Promotes Six Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announced that six attorneys have been promoted within the law firm effective January 2020.
Stites & Harbison promotes 15 attorneys in 2016