Member

Rachel Owsley

Rachel is an experienced transactional attorney focusing on employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and compliance matters, and other strategic commercial transactions. Rachel represents domestic and international businesses operating across the United States.

Recent Assignments

Serves as outside general, ESOP, and corporate counsel to clients in the aerospace, telecommunications, engineering, manufacturing, and construction industries (including government contractors in these industries).

Represents businesses, fiduciaries, and shareholders in transactions involving the establishment, maintenance, administration, and termination of ESOPs, including Department of Labor investigations.

Advises businesses entering into a wide variety of significant commercial transactions, including supply agreements, manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements, teaming agreements, joint ventures, confidentiality or nondisclosure agreements, and services agreements (including related government funding requirements).

Leads teams through M&A transactions and other strategic corporate transactions, including coordinating or advising on investment bank engagements, deal structuring, due diligence, and post-closing integration.

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

Firm Leadership

Business & Finance Group, Louisville Office Chair

Audit Letter Response Committee, Member

Diversity Committee, Member

Opinions Committee, Member

Recruiting Committee, Member

Corporate Transparency Act Committee, Member

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

ESOP Association

National Center for Employee Ownership

Hispanic National Bar Association

Louisville Employee Benefits Council (LEBC)

Land Trust Alliance

Community Involvement

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)

Education

J.D.,

2007

magna cum laude

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Org / Honor

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

B.A.,

2004

summa cum laude

Hanover College

Org / Honor

Alumni Association Award for Exemplary Scholarship, Character and Citizenship

Department Honors; Distinguished Award in Spanish

Richter Grant Recipient

Student Athlete Award

Before Stites & Harbison

Rachel joined Stites & Harbison in September 2007 after participating in the firm’s summer associate program in 2005 and 2006.

More Than Stites & Harbison

In her spare time, Rachel loves to travel and explore new places with her husband and sons.

Languages

Spanish

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law (2024-25)