E. Frederick "Rick" Straub, Jr.

Warren D. Schickli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Copyright Law. Warren D., who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Warren D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bruce Reynolds is a Member of the firm based in its Lexington office although he advises lawyers located in other offices as to complex tax matters. His practice focuses primarily on taxation and tax related matters, including tax controversies and disputes, business transactions and estate planning for business owners. He also has been involved in numerous disputes involving fiduciary relationships. During his long career with Stites & Harbison, Bruce has assisted many of the firm's larg...

Mike Risley is Co-Chair of the firm’s Appellate Advocacy Group and former Chair of the Louisville office’s Litigation Service Group. A seasoned litigator, Mike frequently appears before both state and federal appellate courts. He also has deep experience in disputes involving insurance bad faith and coverage, ERISA, and commercial and employment-related matters. Mike currently is serving the firm as Louisville Office Executive Member and is a former member of the firm’s Mana...

A trial attorney, Brian Butler has tried over 100 jury trials. Most recently, Brian had his own firm where he handled high-profile criminal defense cases, including white collar cases, in United States District Courts in Kentucky and Indiana as well as in state trial courts throughout Kentucky and Indiana. He is intimately familiar with complex federal investigations including those involving corporations and their employees. Before entering private practice, Brian served as an Assistant Unit...

Jay Prather’s work as a trial lawyer at Garmer & Prather has earned him the recognition of his peers, including being named Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Plaintiffs’ Product Liability Litigation – Lexington . He continues a family tradition of Kentucky legal service and brings a disciplined, trial-focused approach to representing individuals and workers harmed by negligence, unsafe products, or wage-and-hour violations. Jay has distinguished ...

Mr. Saffer is a transactional lawyer focusing on real estate and lending law, with an emphasis in commercial lending. He regularly represents institutional lenders in making all types of commercial loans. He also represents public and private borrowers in all types of secured and unsecured syndicated loan transactions. He also has represented clients in numerous asset acquisitions and dispositions, including those involving a number of coal companies. More Than Stites & Harbison Mr. Saffe...

Philip Coleman Lawson was born in Pineville, Bell County, Kentucky, the son of two lawyers. He attended high school at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thereafter, he attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. While at Centre, he was a member of the Varsity Baseball and Golf Teams while being an active member of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After a summer internship, at the Washington, D.C. office of former United States Representative, A.B. (“Ben”) Chand...

Recently recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for his high-caliber work in the practice of Commercial Litigation, Ian is also listed by Kentucky Super Lawyers® in the areas of Product Liability and Business Litigation. He was also recognized in "20 People to Know in Technology" by Louisville Business First and as a Top Attorney for Privacy and Information Security by Louisville Magazine. Ian is a Certified Information Privacy Professional and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Privacy &am...

Richard Wehrle is a Member of the firm and is based in the Lexington office. His practice focuses on trusts and estate administration, estate planning and charitable giving, charitable and non-profit organizations, estate and gift taxes, probate, and fiduciary law. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. More Than Stites & Harbison Prior to joining Stites & Harbison, Richard was a partner at Bowles Rice LLP in Lexington, Kentucky, handling trusts and estate planning for eight years....

Henry C.T. ("Tip") Richmond, III's practice consists primarily of advising on trust and estate matters, gift and estate tax planning, and closely-held business matters, including succession planning. Tip represents professionals, executives and business owners in connection with their tax, estate and business planning needs, as well as trust companies and individuals who are serving as fiduciaries of estates and trusts.