Michael A. "Mike" Fiorella

Andy Jacobs is a Member of the firm and concentrates his practice in the areas of employee benefits, executive compensation, and tax exempt nonprofit organizations. While he practices out of the firm's Lexington office, he works with clients in all Stites & Harbison offices. His practice includes: 1) assisting clients in the design, drafting and operation of qualified retirement plans, ESOPs, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, health and welfare plans, and ...

Ashley Owens Hopkins is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Ashley Owens practices law in Lexington, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Ashley Owens Hopkins 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 Ashley Owens Hopkins is held by other lawyers.

Bill Gorton is Chair of the Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Service Group for the firm. He is national counsel to numerous clients on environmental regulatory and land and water resources matters. He advises healthcare clients in permitting, acquisitions and environmental compliance matters. Bill has represented clients in the waste management sector including acquisitions, due diligence, compliance and contracting. He has been counsel in the development of numerous independent ...

Richard A. Vance is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Richard A. practices law in Louisville, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Richard A. Vance since 2022. 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 reg...

Michael S. Hargis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trademark Law. Michael S. practices law in Lexington, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Michael S. Hargis since 2026. 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 Michael S. Hargis is held by other lawyers.

Joe Hamilton is a Member of the firm and has been based in the Louisville office since 1986. He is a member of the Business Litigation Service Group, which is home to approximately 60 attorneys and paralegals and is co-chair and co-founder of the firm's 20 member Class Action Defense Practice Group. His practice emphasis is in class action defense and other complex business and business insurance litigation. With regard to his class action defense practice, Mr. Hamilton has been counsel in ov...

As a registered professional engineer and attorney, Steven represents owners, contractors, and design professionals in all aspects of the construction and design process. He successfully litigates cases in state and federal courts, and regularly manages the resolution of disputes for clients. Having spent time working as an engineer with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet prior to becoming an attorney, Steven continues to maintain in-depth knowledge of the multiple demands placed on owners, ...

Shannon Antle Hamilton chairs the Firm’s Employment Law Service Group, and is a seasoned litigator and counselor on complex employment law issues. Shannon has significant lead counsel experience in employment litigation and has tried numerous cases in both federal and state court to jury verdict. Shannon’s trial experience includes defending companies in workers’ compensation retaliation claims, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, cases brought under Title VII and the Kentu...

Morgan Ward is a member of the firm's Business Litigation Service Group. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, regulatory litigation (including the laws and regulations pertaining to real estate professionals and the banking industry), constitutional law, real estate litigation, commercial lease litigation, condemnation and eminent domain, trust and estates litigations, title insurance defense litigation, insurance coverage litigation for both insureds and insurers, bad faith litigat...

Carol Browning is an accomplished trial attorney who has tried more than 35 cases to jury verdict in multiple jurisdictions. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Her practice includes drug and medical device litigation, products liability and medical malpractice defense. She also serves as counsel to physicians and hospitals. Ms. Browning serves as national or state counsel for multiple drug, medical device and product manufacturers and is involved in multi-district litig...