Robin E. McGuffin
Robin McGuffin is a Member in the firm’s Lexington office. She is a member of the Torts & Insurance Practice Group and the Employment Law Service Group.
After graduating first in her class from Vanderbilt University Law School, Robin was a law clerk for the Honorable John M. Rogers, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She now defends companies in a wide variety of litigations, including but not limited to complex business disputes, non-compete and trade secret claims, employment discrimination and retaliation claims, product liability, and major accidents. Robin also devotes a substantial portion of her practice to appellate advocacy in both federal and state courts.
Robin is well versed in all areas of employment law. In addition to defending employers against claims asserted under statutes such as Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, Robin regularly conducts workplace investigations, counsels employers on compliance issues, drafts employment and restrictive covenant agreements, and assists with drafting and implementing employment policies and procedures.
Unveiling the Impact: Notable Developments Shaping Restrictive Covenants
Webcast, The Knowledge Group, November 28, 2023
The FTC's Proposed Ban on Non-Competes: What Every Employer Needs to Know
Stites & Harbison and JPMorgan Chase seminar, September 26, 2023
Managing Employees During a Pandemic
Panel Member, Lexington Forum, October 7, 2021
Institutional Racism in Legal Systems: Criminal Justice, Employment & Housing: Part 2 - Understanding the Impact of Race in Employment
Moderator, presented by National Bar Association, John Rowe Chapter and Fayette County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, September 10, 2020
Defense Strategies for Winning on the Statute of Limitations
American Bar Association, Products Liability Litigation Newsletter, August 2019
Counsel to a major manufacturer of respiratory protection products in serial litigation
Successfully represented multiple employers in discrimination and retaliation suits in state and federal court under statutes such as Title VII, the FMLA, the FLSA, the ADA, the ADEA, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act
Received published opinion in the Kentucky Court of Appeals affirming grant of summary judgment to pharmaceutical drug manufacturer
Counsel for an independent institutional investment consultant in defense of derivative, taxpayer, and Attorney General claims asserted on behalf of a public pension system
Counsel to a provider of remediation services in a multi-plaintiff toxic tort case following a natural gas release
Both obtained and successfully defended against grants of injunctive relief seeking enforcement of restrictive covenants
Office of General Counsel, Ethics Subcommittee, Member
Lexington Office Recruiting Committee, Member
GreenHouse17, Board of Directors (2019-present); Secretary (2020-present)
Lexington Forum, Board of Directors (2022-25)
Leadership Lexington, Class of 2022-23
Vanderbilt University Law School
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Founder's Medal for First Honors
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Vanderbilt Law Review, Articles Editor
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Order of the Coif
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2014-15 Moot Court Board, Executive Problem Editor
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Robert F. Jackson Memorial Prize; Archie B. Martin Memorial Prize
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2013-14 Bass, Berry & Sims Intramural Moot Court Competition, winner
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Thomas R. McCoy Scholarship
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Awarded 10 Vanderbilt Scholastic Excellence Awards
summa cum laude
Vanderbilt University
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Phi Beta Kappa
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Outstanding Student in Community Leadership & Development
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Peabody Scholar
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VIBE Hip-Hop Dance Co.
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Alternative Spring Break
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Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
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Study Abroad Program: Berlin, Germany, Summer 2010
Best Lawyers in America®, Ones To Watch, Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Labor and Employment; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022-24)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2024)
Sixth Circuit Identifies “Dilemma,” but Not Solution for Calculating Workers’ Vehicle Expenses Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
In an opinion that raises as many questions as it answers, the Sixth Circuit foreclosed two methods of calculating how delivery drivers paid the minimum wage should be reimbursed for the costs associated with using their vehicles for work under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Rejecting both the drivers’ assertion that they should be reimbursed using the mileage rate published by the IRS, and the employers’ argument that drivers should receive a “reasonable approximation” of their costs, the Sixth Circuit held in two consolidated appeals in Parker v. Battle Creek Pizza, Inc., Nos. 22-2119, 22-3561, 2024 WL 1068871 (6th Cir. Mar. 12, 2024), that drivers’ actual costs must be reimbursed to avoid a minimum wage violation and remanded both cases to their respective district courts with little guidance as to how to calculate those costs. Robin McGuffin and Harlee Havens take a close look at the ruling in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.
Sixth Circuit Applies Updated Arbitration Waiver Standard
In a published opinion issued on March 27, 2024, the Sixth Circuit applied for the first time the waiver standard announced in the Supreme Court’s 2022 opinion, Morgan v. Sundance, Inc., 596 U.S. 411 (2022), in affirming the denial of a motion to compel arbitration due to the defendant’s extensive participation in the litigation.
Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers® recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 35 attorneys to the Super Lawyers® list and 14 attorneys to the Rising Stars® list.
The FTC's Proposed Ban on Non-Competes: What Every Employer Needs to Know
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC, 400 West Market Street, Suite 1800, Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Join Stites & Harbison and JPMorgan Chase for this CLE seminar and reception.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Supreme Court: Employers Must Accommodate Employees’ Religious Practices Absent “Substantial” Increased Costs in Relation to the Conduct of the Business
Employment attorneys Robin McGuffin and Kyle Schroader take a look at the Supreme Court's decision on Title VII stating that employers must accommodate employee's religious practices.
Sixth Circuit Heightens Standard for Sending Notices in FLSA Collective Actions
The Sixth Circuit has significantly altered the way in which Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) collective actions are to be litigated in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan. Attorneys Kyle Schroeder and Robin McGuffin take a look at those changes in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.
Stites & Harbison Promotes Seven Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announced today that seven attorneys have been promoted: five to Member (Partner) and two to Counsel. The promotions are effective January 2023.