Litigation & Appeals
Our litigation and appellate practice spans all substantive legal fields. Seasoned trial lawyers, e-discovery experts, and accomplished writers of legal briefs regularly team with experienced substantive law attorneys from across the firm to deliver high quality legal services to clients needing effective representation in state and federal courts, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings.
The following fourteen major categories listed under Litigation & Appeals Specialty Areas further describe our litigation experience in these areas. In all litigated matters, look to Stites & Harbison to:
- formulate sophisticated and effective litigation strategies
- understand and persuasively argue key legal issues
- identify, manage, and know the contents of relevant documents
- conduct effective and savvy e-discovery
- protect privileged, proprietary or confidential information
- ensure that good faith discovery responses are accurate and uniform
- prepare all witnesses for optimal deposition performance
- create and maintain databases and literature files
- identify knowledgeable and effective experts
- challenge or discredit unreliable or unscientific testimony
- use the latest courtroom technology and persuasion techniques with judges and juries
- analyze appellate issues and craft high-level, readable appellate briefs
Stites & Harbison takes a knowledgeable and pragmatic approach to litigation and works to facilitate cost-effective resolution.
Stites & Harbison lawyers do outstanding trial work for us on all types of litigation.
We were fortunate to have Stites & Harbison on our side for a very contentious litigation. They applied exactly the right mix of aggressiveness and negotiation to bring our case to a successful conclusion. . . In addition to always being fully prepared, they were always on time. I would and have recommended them to colleagues, and we continue to use the firm's services for purposes that are more enjoyable and lucrative.
Ashley Ward Appointed to EKU Board of Regents
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Ashley Ward as a member of the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Board of Regents with a term expiring in June 2027. EKU is governed by an 11-member Board of Regents.
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.
Kentucky Joins Growing Number of States Allowing Student-Athletes to Receive Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Compensation
With Governor Andy Beshear’s June 24, 2021 Executive Order, Kentucky joins a growing minority of states allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Effective July 1, the Order applies to student-athletes at all postsecondary institutions in Kentucky.
Stites & Harbison Ranks 3rd on 2021 “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” List
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is ranked 3rd in “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” for 2021 in the medium company category. The firm has made the list 15 times.
“No Company is Safe” — White House Urges Private Sector to Act Now in Hardening Defenses Against Growing Ransomware Threats
Following the most recent slew of high-profile ransomware attacks, the White House deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, Anne Neuberger, issued an open letter to the private sector urging action to increase cyber defenses to match the nation’s increasing ransomware threat.
Chambers USA Honors 22 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2021
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 22 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2021 guide.
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.
Stites & Harbison Opens First Ohio Office In Cincinnati Area
Kentucky-based Stites & Harbison PLLC has expanded its operations to Ohio for the first time in nearly 200 years with a new office in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, the firm announced Friday. Led by member Robin D. Miller, the Cincinnati-area office is currently operating with the help of attorneys from the nearby town of Covington, Kentucky, but the firm said it hopes to hire more Cincinnati full-timers by the end of 2021.
Stites & Harbison Expands Footprint, Opens First Ohio Office
CINCINNATI—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announced today it has opened a Cincinnati, Ohio office to better meet the increased needs of its clients in the region. The office will be led by Member (Partner), Robin D. Miller.
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
Top Women in Business Spotlight: Marjorie Farris
The Lane Report takes a closer look at the women who are making a difference in Kentucky. Stites Chair and Louisville attorney Marjorie Farris is featured today.
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.
Kentucky's Prisons, COVID, and No Compassionate Release
The Kentucky Department of Corrections is not immune from the same pandemic issues faced by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. As of December 4, 2020, the Department of Corrections ("DOC") operated 14 correctional institutions with 10,000 inmates. At the time of this writing, 2,895 inmates and 456 employees have tested positive for the virus; 24 inmates and three employees have died. The numbers could have been worse.
The Perfect Storm? A Look at the Federal Compassionate Release Program Following the First Step Act and a Worldwide Pandemic
Juan Alberto Fernandez pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in November 2014. Statutorily, Mr. Fernandez faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Litigator Robin Miller
COVINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2021)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Robin D. Miller to its Covington, Ky., office.
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.