Joshua F. "Josh" Barnette

Josh Barnette is an attorney in the firm’s Atlanta and Lexington offices. He is a member of the Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group and an affiliate member of the Business Litigation Service Group. Josh focuses his practice on torts, insurance, white collar criminal defense, civil rights, products liability, and general business litigation.

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

• Stites & Harbison and Tucker Ellis Obtain Defense Verdict in Wrongful Death Mesothelioma Case Where Plaintiff Sought $20.5 Million, Stites & Harbison Case Profile, May 18, 2022, with Matthew W. Breetz
• Kentucky's Prisons, COVID, and No Compassionate Release, with Michael Denbow, Kentucky Bar Association, Bench & Bar Magazine, January-February 2021
• The Perfect Storm? A Look at the Federal Compassionate Release Program Following the First Step Act and a Worldwide Pandemic, with Michael Denbow, Kentucky Bar Association, Bench & Bar Magazine, January-February 2021
• Responding to and Defending Government Investigations: What to do When the Government “Knocks” On Your Door, Kentucky Bar Association Corporate House Counsel, Webinar, February 10, 2021, with Michael Denbow
• No Good Deed: Protecting Yourself and Your Business from a Governmental Investigation Concerning Your PPP Loan, with Michael Denbow, Stites & Harbison Client Alert, May 13, 2020

Recent Assignments

• Right after Thanksgiving 2021, tried and won an asbestos case related to coal mining equipment in Eastern Kentucky - without calling an expert witness.

More Than Stites & Harbison

Josh came to the firm after serving as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Kentucky. Previously, he participated in the firm’s summer associate program and served as a legal intern for the Hon. Karen K. Caldwell, Chief U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Kentucky. Before going to law school, Josh was a United States Probation Officer for the Northern District of Georgia and served as a Management Specialist and Probation Officer for the Georgia Department of Corrections.

More Than Stites & Harbison

Outside of the firm, Josh enjoys domestic and international travel – especially when paired with culinary indulgences – and loves all things outdoors, particularly hiking and camping. He is active in the Lexington community, serving on the Board of two local non-profits, AthensWest Theatre Company and Seedleaf, Inc. He routinely looks for ways to stretch the boundaries of his comfort zone and, in doing so, has found himself participating in multiple 200+ mile relay runs and one ultramarathon.

Community Involvement

• AthensWest Theatre Company, Board Member (2018-22)
• Seedleaf, Inc., Board Member (2018-20)