Senior Member

W. Blaine Early III

Blaine’s science background and experience as a college professor help set him apart as an environmental lawyer, where technical expertise is an important complement to the practice of law. His legal practice is a broad approach to environmental law that includes a focus on water and land issues, agriculture, natural resources and energy, and the intersection of surety law and environmental regulatory matters. He counsels clients on environmental compliance and environmental considerations in real estate and business transactions and is active in civil and administrative litigation.

Recent Assignments

Advising surety on risks and compliance obligations associated with completing coal mine reclamation to avoid bond forfeiture

Advising materials recycler on compliance with state and local water quality laws and ordinances

Representing landowner in dispute over payment of mining royalties

Defending mineral mining operations against citizens’ suits alleging unauthorized water pollution

Advising investor/purchaser of mining and mineral interests from bankruptcy estate

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

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

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

Firm Leadership

Office of General Counsel, Ethics Subcommittee, Member

Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Fayette County Bar Association

Kentucky Academy of Science

,

President, 1991; Upper Cumberland River Watershed Watch, 1999-present; Interbasin Coordinating Committee, Current Representative

Community Involvement

Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government, Environmental Commission, Chair

Bluegrass Tomorrow, Executive Board and Vice-Chair for Bluegrass Forever Green

Upper Cumberland River Watershed Watch, Secretary and Board Member

Watershed Watch in Kentucky, Inc., Board Member

Education

J.D.,

1996

cum laude

University of Kentucky College of Law

Org / Honor

Order of the Coif

Journal of Natural Resources & Environmental Law, Editor in Chief

Ph.D., Biology,

1988

University of Louisville

Org / Honor

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Associate Member of Society of Sigma Xi

B.A., Zoology,

1976

DePauw University

Org / Honor

Phi Beta Kappa

More Than Stites & Harbison

Law is Blaine’s second career. He served on the biology faculty of Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) in Williamsburg, Ky., from 1979 until 1993, chairing the department (1984 to 1993) and earning the rank of full professor. His research focused on insect/plant interactions, and he continues those interests. Prior to joining the firm in September 1998, Blaine was Judicial Law Clerk to Hon. Jennifer B. Coffman, United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, in London, Kentucky. Blaine is current Chair of the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government Environmental Commission and is a member of the Executive Board of Bluegrass Tomorrow. He is a member of the board for the Upper Cumberland River Watershed Watch and is a member of the board of the state-wide organization Watershed Watch in Kentucky, Inc. Blaine is a former Chair of the Kentucky Chamber Energy and Environmental Council, a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, former chair of the Water Quality and Wetlands Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources and co-chair of the Section’s Virtual Learning Committee; former chair of the Natural Resources Section of the Kentucky Bar Association; and, a former president of the Kentucky Academy of Science. He is an amateur radio “ham” extra class radio operator, is active in regional emergency communications efforts, and delights in remote, solar-power communications activities.

Accolades

Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, Environmental Law; Water Law (2007-25)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2016-25)

International Law Office and Lexology, Client Choice Award for Excellence in Client Service (2015)

Robert N. Clay President’s Award, Bluegrass Tomorrow Awards Breakfast (2010, 2023)