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."
Fall 2021 National Legal Malpractice Conference
JW Marriott Nashville, 201 8th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Louisville office attorney Matt Breetz will be moderating a panel discussion on Case Law Updates on September 23rd in Nashville TN at this conference.
2021 Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference
Boston Park Plaza, 50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116-39014
Louisville office attorney Whitney Watt will be a member of the panel for a presentation at this ABA Conference in Boston, Mass., November 17-19, 2021.
Rachel Dix Bishop Selected for Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum Class of 2022
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum (NBFLF) has selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Rachel Dix Bishop as a member of the Class of 2022.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Johnathan Burnley
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Johnathan D. Burnley to the firm’s Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., offices. He joins the Business Litigation Service Group.
KPCA Annual Conference - 2021
The Campbell House, Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington office attorney Ashley Hopkins will be a speaker at the 2021 KPCA Annual Conference October 27-29, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Mari-Elise Paul Named a 2021 Trailblazer in World IP Review’s Diversity Publication
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) has named Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mari-Elise Paul as one of 20 Trailblazers profiled from around the world in WIPR’s Diversity Trailblazers 2021 list.
Michael Kleinert Appointed to Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 4, 2021)—Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Michael Kleinert to the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy (KBPT). Kleinert’s term will expire on April 30, 2025.
Sophisticated Buyer Beware: Updates to the Economic Loss Rule in Tennessee
Discussion has re-emerged in Tennessee regarding the economic loss rule, a judicially-created remedy that precludes contracting parties from pursuing tort remedies for purely economic losses arising out of a contractual relationship. On August 2, 2021, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued an opinion, addressing an issue of first impression in Tennessee—whether fraud is an exception to the economic loss rule.
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.