R. James "Jim" Straus

Laurel K. Cornell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Laurel K., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laurel K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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....

Bridget M. Bush serves as Counsel with Landrum & Shouse LLP. Her main practice areas are Appellate Law and Commercial Litigation.

Mandy Wilson Decker is a Patent Attorney and member of the Intellectual Property & Technology Service Group. Her practice focuses on intellectual property protection strategy, including counseling clients on infringement, validity and patentability, transfer of intellectual property, patent drafting, and patent prosecution. Contributing to her practice is a scientific background in chemistry and experience with academic and commercial research in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology, ...

Charles H. Stopher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Charles H., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ronald G. Sheffer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Ronald G., who practices law in Louisville, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ronald G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Doug Bates is an experienced trial lawyer who has been with the firm since 1992. He appears in state and federal courts throughout Indiana and Kentucky and has argued both before the Indiana Court of Appeals and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Bates regularly defends aviation clients, including airlines, major municipal airports, product manufacturers, aircraft mechanics and fixed base operators, and is often asked to speak at national aviation-related seminars. Mr. Bates also represent...

Kent Wicker is a founding partner in Reed Wicker PLLC, a law firm based in Louisville, Kentucky, where he practices white collar criminal defense and business litigation. Before entering private practice, he served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Division Chief for the Western District of Kentucky, where he also tried criminal fraud and public corruption cases. Wicker devotes a substantial part of his practice now to health care issues, representing providers in criminal and civ...

Jeff Moad is a Member in the firm’s Business Litigation Service Group in Louisville. He practices complex business and commercial litigation, class action litigation, consumer finance litigation, and professional liability litigation.Jeff joined the firm after graduating first in his class from the University of Kentucky College of Law and serving as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.He has represented clients in litigation, investigations, and ...

A senior member of the firm's Torts & Insurance Practice Group, John's national and regional litigation practice focuses on defending complex product liability lawsuits and managing serial litigation. His extensive trial experience includes medical devices, pharmaceuticals, intellectual property, and a variety of personal injury matters. John has tried product liability cases to jury verdicts in eight states. John also maintains an active appellate practice representing appellees, appella...