Member

Whitney Frazier Watt

Since beginning her career at Stites & Harbison in 2003, Whitney has developed a wide-ranging litigation practice that includes product liability, toxic torts, mass actions, contract disputes, tortious interference, coverage disputes, and wrongful death. Whitney has taken and defended hundreds of depositions and made countless court appearances, including trials. An experienced defender of mass torts, she is currently responsible for managing a docket of several hundred product liability cases brought by thousands of plaintiffs. Whitney’s practice requires daily vigilance and dedication to ensure that a large team of attorneys and paralegals is always focused on the client’s best interests.

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Opening and Closing Remarks

Program Co-Chair, 2024 Product Liability Roundtable, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), September 12, 2024

Forever Chemicals - The Latest in an Ever Changing Landscape

IADC (International Association of Defense Counsel) 2024 Mid-Year Meeting, Miami, Fla., February 18-23, 2024

Defusing Nuclear Verdicts Prior to Trial

co-author, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Product Liability Newsletter, January 2024

Managing External Counsel

Moderator, IADC Corporate Counsel Training Academy, Chicago, IL, April 6, 2022

Is Quarantine to Blame for Increased Consumer Litigation?

Panel Member, 2021 Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference, ABA Litigation Section, November 17-19, 2021

Using Bankruptcy to Your Client’s Advantage

IADC Committee Newsletter, Product Liability, June 2020

Defense Strategies for Winning on the Statute of Limitations

American Bar Association, Products Liability Litigation Newsletter, August 2019

Design Thinking for Litigators

How to Win on Statute of Limitations

Speaker, IADC Mid-Year Meeting, Santa Barbara, CA, February 2019

Daubert: Trends and Statistics

IADC Committee Newsletter, Product Liability, November 2017

Trial Skills, Trial-Focused Discovery: What You Need & How to Use It

Speaker, ABA Women in Products Liability CLE, Philadelphia, PA, November 2016

Chapter 2: Preparation for Trial & Organization of Trial Materials

Co-author, Kentucky Civil Practice at Trial, 3rd and 4th Editions, UK/CLE, 2008 and 2016

Time for a Makeover: Newly Proposed Cosmetic Safety Litigation

ABA Products Liability Website, 2015

Five Things Every Businesswoman Should Know About Contracts

MBA Women, 2015

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Products Liability Year in Review

Speaker, ABA Joint Products Liability, Mass Torts, and Environmental CLE, Hollywood, Fla., January 2012

Products Liability 2011: Year in Review

Co-author, ABA Joint Products Liability, Mass Torts, and Environmental CLE Materials, 2012

50-State Survey on Statute of Limitations

Co-author, Kentucky section, American Bar Association, 2012

Ethical Considerations for Using Technology in Your Practice

Moderator, ABA Women in Products Liability CLE, New York, NY, November 2010

Avoiding Discovery Pitfalls - How to Manage Your Document Productions and Reviews in a Way that Will Satisfy Your Client and Win Your Case

Moderator, ABA Joint Products Liability, Mass Torts & Environmental CLE, Beaver Creek, Colo., January 2010

Litigating in the Face of E-Discovery Rules: Post-Implementation Perspectives and Practice Tips

Moderator, ABA Women in Products Liability CLE, New Orleans, La., October 2007
Recent Assignments
Bar Admissions
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
Memberships
International Association of Defense Counsel, Product Liability Committee, Chair (2023-present), Vice Chair of Programs & Projects (2021-23), Vice Chair of Special Projects (2020-21), Vice Chair of Webinars (2019-20), and Vice Chair of Newsletter (2017-19); Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee, Vice Chair of Empowerment Collaborative (2022-present) and Vice Chair of Member Involvement (2021-22)
American Bar Association, Women in Product Liability Subcommittee, Former Chair (2013-14)
Defense Research Institute
Trial Attorneys of America, Member
Kentucky Bar Association
Louisville Bar Association
Community Involvement

Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program, Board of Directors (2020-present)

Girl Scouts - Troop 2166, Co-Leader

Whitehall House & Gardens, Board of Regents; Vice Regent; Secretary (2019-20)

Education
Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Mass Tort Litigation / Class action - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2020-24)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2015-24)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2013-14)

Forty under 40 List, Business First of Louisville (2013)

MH AV 2024 300
Watt Best Lawyers2024
Wattsuperlaw
Iadc Member Logo Color Sm
See more related to Whitney Frazier Watt
Events

Forever Chemicals: What Does Your Business Need to Know and Do?

Date: 10/8/24 - 11/13/24
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

WEBINAR

Forever Chemicals: What does your company need to know and do. Join us for this four-part complimentary webinar that is designed for decisions makers who do not have degrees in chemistry or environmental science - but need practical, actionable advice.

Jennifer J. Cave , John L. Tate , Robert M. Connolly , Whitney Frazier Watt , Neil E. Barton , and Charles H. Stopher October 03, 2024
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 97 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication. Additionally, 12 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 30 attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 16, 2024
Events

IADC 2024 Product Liability Roundtable

Date: 9/12/24
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

J&J World Headquarters, Corporate Conference Center, 1 Johnson and Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ

This full-day specialty roundtable, sponsored jointly by the Product Liability Committee and Drug, Device and Biotechnology Committee, creates a forum for in-house counsel and outside counsel to learn together and discuss new developments in the product liability arena. Roundtable will be held in New Brunswick, NJ on September 12, 2024. Program co-chair is Louisville office attorney Whitney Frazier

Whitney Frazier Watt July 02, 2024
Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers® recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 35 attorneys to the Super Lawyers® list and 14 attorneys to the Rising Stars® list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 12, 2024
Events

IADC (International Association of Defense Counsel) 2024 Mid-Year Meeting

Date: 2/18/24 - 2/23/24

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry, 19999 West Country Club Drive, Miami, FL - 33180

Louisville office attorney Whitney Watt will be a speaker at the IADC 2024 Mid-Year Meeting in Miami, Florida February 18-23.

Whitney Frazier Watt January 10, 2024
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 24, 2023
Press Releases

Whitney Frazier Watt Named IADC Product Liability Committee Chair

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Whitney Frazier Watt as Chair of its Product Liability Committee. She will serve a two-year term.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 28, 2023
Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 37 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 12, 2023