Melanie Straw-Boone

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...

Lawrence C. Droege is a member of the firm's Real Estate & Banking Service Group. He primarily focuses his practice on real estate, lending and creditors' rights law. Larry also has experience working with capital markets lenders in closing conduit loans and working with national insurance companies on synthetic guaranteed investment contracts. He joined the firm in October 2004. Recent Assignments Worked with insurance companies on review and restructuring of hundreds of synthetic guaran...

Laurel K. Cornell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Laurel K. practices law in Louisville, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Laurel K. Cornell since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Laurel K. Cornell is held by other lawyers.

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....

With more than 25 years of Intellectual Property experience, Joel actively tries cases in both state and federal courts. A founding member and former co-chair of the firm's Intellectual Property and Technology Service Group, he manages all aspects of infringement litigation for both federal and state courts, including trial and appellate practice. He has also prepared and prosecuted trademark and copyright applications, prosecuted and defended trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings...

John C. Talbott MEMBER Louisville & Kentucky Land Use, Zoning and Real Estate Development Attorney John C. Talbott is a Louisville land use, zoning and real estate development attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing developers, builders, landowners, real estate investors, businesses and institutional clients throughout Kentucky. His practice focuses on complex rezonings, development approvals, land use strategy, regulatory matters, administrative appeals and related li...

Matthew B. Gay is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. Matthew B. practices law in Louisville, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew B. Gay since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew B. Gay is held by other lawyers.

Jack Conway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. He has won several multi-million-dollar trial verdicts, and has obtained numerous multi-million-dollar settlements for his clients. Jack, who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting t...

Brian A. Cromer is the Chair of the firm’s Business & Finance Service Group. He has represented some of the largest companies in the U.S. and the international arena in corporate transactions and legal disputes, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance transactions, venture capital and private equity investments, and corporate governance matters. Brian's broad range of experience includes providing and organizing a variety of legal services for companies at all stages, ...

Thad Barnes is an experienced trial attorney with approximately 40 bench and jury trials to his credit. Mr. Barnes' practice is focused on intellectual property litigation, complex commercial litigation, and health care litigation. Mr. Barnes has extensive experience in patent litigation, trade secret cases, product liability matters and works extensively with flavor and fragrance manufacturers. He is listed in Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star in the Intellectual Property practice ar...