Business Litigation
No matter how hard a business tries, commercial disagreements are inevitable. When these situations arise, dealing with them diverts valuable commodities of management time and resources that could otherwise be applied to growing the business. To help a business successfully navigate through these situations and get it back to focusing on running the business, the steady and experienced hand of a skilled litigator is needed. The attorneys in the Business Litigation Service Group at Stites & Harbison, located in offices in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Ohio and Indiana, make every effort to assist clients in working their way through these contentious situations as efficiently and effectively as possible.
We defend and prosecute claims arising from:
- the disposition of business entities
- plant closings
- insolvency and business failures
- trade secret and intellectual property issues
- insurance market misconduct
- claims asserted against financial professionals
- franchise terminations
- commercial real estate
- lender liability
- corporate directors and officers' duties, and
- securities and commercial disputes.
Stites & Harbison has represented clients in manufacturing, the service sector, professional service providers, utilities, the mineral, oil and gas industry, casualty, property and health insurers, and companies owning, financing or operating commercial real estate, to name a few.
"Their responsiveness very quick and they also give interesting business advice, not just strictly legal advice."
"Stites & Harbison lawyers do outstanding trial work for us on all types of litigation."
Secured Lenders Fail to Manage the Risk of “Springing Liens” at Their Peril
“Springing liens” are first priority statutory liens on property that spring into existence when certain obligations remain unpaid. Springing Liens can attach to real estate, for example, when the following obligations are not paid: taxes, condominium association dues, or claims for construction labor or materials.
Chambers USA High Net Worth Honors Gregory D. Smith for 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Chambers USA High Net Worth selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Gregory D. Smith for inclusion in its 2021 guide in the category of Family/Matrimonial for USA: Tennessee. Chambers High Net Worth ranks top lawyers and law firms in the international private wealth market.
Elizabeth Lee Thompson Appointed to NKU Board of Regents
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Elizabeth Lee Thompson as a member of the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) Board of Regents.
Dan Douglass and Bill Joseph Recognized in 2021 Georgia Super Lawyers
ATLANTA—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys Dan Douglass and Bill Joseph were recently honored in the 2021 Georgia Super Lawyers magazine.
Kentucky Legislature Enacts Covid-19 Liability Protection for Businesses
As the country slowly recovers from the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky’s lawmakers have stepped in to provide protections to the businesses and workers that will help get the Commonwealth back on its feet. On the last day of the most recent legislative session, Senate Bill 5 became law when the Governor declined to sign or veto it. This legislation, similar to laws in 30 other states, offers immunity from COVID-19-related negligence actions to business owners and essential service providers working to prevent the spread of the virus.
Calesia Henson Named to AMPED Board of Directors
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Academy of Music Production Education and Development (AMPED) has named Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Calesia Henson to its Board of Directors. She will serve a three-year term.
Refreshing Relief or Return of the Robocalls?
In a long-awaited decision, the United State Supreme Court issued a ruling in Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid, No. 19-511, on April 1, 2021, concluding that, to qualify as an autodialer under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), a device must have the capacity to use a random or sequential number generator to store or to produce phone numbers.
Gregory D. Smith Inducted as Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Gregory D. Smith was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) on March 5, 2021, at an online ceremony during the Spring Meeting of the College. Only 1% of the Total Lawyer Population in the U.S. and Canada
Are Fellows
Chad McTighe Appointed Chair of Stites & Harbison’s Business Litigation Service Group
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Chad McTighe has been appointed Chair of the firm’s Business Litigation Service Group. McTighe succeeds Phil Collier, who has served as the service group chair for 22 years. Both Collier and McTighe will continue their diverse legal practices in business litigation.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Litigator Robin Miller
COVINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2021)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Robin D. Miller to its Covington, Ky., office.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Katherine Moore Donnelly
FRANKFORT, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Katherine Moore Donnelly to the firm’s Frankfort, Ky., office. She joins the Business Litigation Service Group. She will also practice in the areas of Trust & Estate Planning and Administrative Law.
IN PERSON: Stites & Harbison's Michael Risley goes from small town to the big time
When Michael Risley entered law school at the University of Kentucky, he admitted to being initially intimidated by his big-school, big-city classmates.
I Mailed It . . . But Can I Prove It?
The U.S. Postal Service has seen increased demands on its services over the last year. In fact, the majority of us have had an experience with a piece of mail that took a little longer than expected to get to its destination.
Morgan Ward Appointed as Chair of Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Morgan Ward as Chair of Louisville Metro Government’s Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission.
Will COVID-19 Toll the Statute of Limitations in Product Liability Actions?
As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into 2021 with no clear end in sight, a good question for product liability defendants is whether the pandemic will have a tolling effect on the applicable statute of limitations. In product liability cases, state law provides a statute of limitations to bar untimely-filed claims against the product manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. The point is to provide a predictable time period for a plaintiff to investigate the claim, identify the proper parties, and file suit.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Three Attorneys to Kentucky Offices
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announces the addition of three attorneys to the firm. Megan Barker joins the Lexington, Ky., office while Caitlyn Barnes and Ameena Khan join the Louisville, Ky., office. All are admitted to practice in Kentucky.
Whitney Frazier Watt Appointed to Governor’s Scholars Board of Directors
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Whitney Frazier Watt to the Board of Directors of the Governor’s Scholars Program.
Legal Aid Society Honors Morgan Ward with Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Legal Aid Society has recognized Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Morgan Ward with its Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2020. Ward was one of three individuals honored with the award this year.
Marjorie Farris to Be First Woman to Lead Stites & Harbison Law Firm
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC, announced today that Kentucky native Marjorie A. Farris will become the firm’s new Chair effective January 2021. She will be the first woman to lead the firm since its founding in 1832.