Richard G. "Rick" Griffith

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 ...

Mr. Beck, a transactional lawyer, has represented both domestic and foreign clients in the purchase, sale or syndication of bloodstock valued at more than $700 million. Mr. Beck also regularly provides corporate and financing legal counsel to equine industry participants, including banks, horse farms, trainers, and organizers of multiple ownership arrangements for racing and breeding syndicates. In addition to his transaction practice, Mr. Beck is a mediator and arbitrator concentrating on tr...

Michael S. Hargis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trademark Law. Michael S., who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Erin C.S. Izzo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Erin C.S., who practices law in Frankfort, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin C.S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Hixson regularly practices and appears in courtrooms across Kentucky. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, coal supply litigation, product liability, and professional liability. Mr. Hixson also has significant experience in motor carrier litigation, and has litigated a wide array of complex and catastrophic injury cases in state and federal jurisdictions. Mr. Hixson's commercial practice involves representing businesses in cases with claims ranging from breach of contract, promi...

Cassidy R. Rosenthal is the Lexington Office Executive Member and a Member of the Construction Service Group. Her practice focuses on advising clients throughout all phases of construction projects including planning, contract drafting and negotiation, and project administration. Cassidy successfully guides her clients through construction claims and disputes including informal negotiations, mediation, litigation in state and federal courts, and in arbitration throughout the country. In addit...

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....

Emily Larish Startsman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Emily Larish, who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily Larish is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Janet Craig is a seasoned attorney in health care law and regulatory insurance issues. She is experienced in certificate of need and licensure, reimbursement, managed care, fraud and abuse, HIPAA, and Stark I and II. A former General Counsel of the Kentucky Department of Insurance, she has an active regulatory practice. She represents a host of insurers and HMOs on matters ranging from market conduct and financial exams to mergers, change of control and rate filings. Recent Assignments Repres...