W. Blaine Early III
Blaine’s science background and experience as a college professor help set him apart as an environmental lawyer, where technical expertise is an important complement to the practice of law. His legal practice is a broad approach to environmental law that includes a focus on water and land issues, agriculture, natural resources and energy, and the intersection of surety law and environmental regulatory matters. He counsels clients on environmental compliance and environmental considerations in real estate and business transactions and is active in civil and administrative litigation.
What You Need to Know About Reclamation Bonds
Speaker, National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP), February 28, 2023
Develop a Sustainability Plan
with Shane Tedder, David DeVore andEmily Ladouceur, Bluegrass Forever Green Summer Conference 2022, July 2022
Chapter 7: Reclamation Bonds
co author with Robert L. Scanlon and Laura M. Murphy, The Law of Commercial Surety and Miscellaneous Bonds, Third Edition, ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 2022
Can My Business Take the 100% Clean Energy by 2030 Pledge?
20th Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, March 10-11, 2022
Advising surety on risks and compliance obligations associated with completing coal mine reclamation to avoid bond forfeiture
Advising materials recycler on compliance with state and local water quality laws and ordinances
Representing landowner in dispute over payment of mining royalties
Defending mineral mining operations against citizens' suits alleging unauthorized water pollution
Advising investor/purchaser of mining and mineral interests from bankruptcy estate
Office of General Counsel, Ethics Subcommittee, Member
Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government, Environmental Commission, Chair
Bluegrass Tomorrow, Executive Board and Vice-Chair for Bluegrass Forever Green
Upper Cumberland River Watershed Watch, Secretary and Board Member
Watershed Watch in Kentucky, Inc., Board Member
cum laude
University of Kentucky College of Law
Order of the Coif
Journal of Natural Resources & Environmental Law, Editor in Chief
University of Louisville
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Associate Member of Society of Sigma Xi
DePauw University
Phi Beta Kappa
Law is Blaine's second career. He served on the biology faculty of Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) in Williamsburg, Ky., from 1979 until 1993, chairing the department (1984 to 1993) and earning the rank of full professor. His research focused on insect/plant interactions, and he continues those interests. Prior to joining the firm in September 1998, Blaine was Judicial Law Clerk to Hon. Jennifer B. Coffman, United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, in London, Kentucky. Blaine is current Chair of the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government Environmental Commission and is a member of the Executive Board of Bluegrass Tomorrow. He is a member of the board for the Upper Cumberland River Watershed Watch and is a member of the board of the state-wide organization Watershed Watch in Kentucky, Inc. Blaine is a former Chair of the Kentucky Chamber Energy and Environmental Council, a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, former chair of the Water Quality and Wetlands Committee of the American Bar Association's Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources and co-chair of the Section’s Virtual Learning Committee; former chair of the Natural Resources Section of the Kentucky Bar Association; and, a former president of the Kentucky Academy of Science. He is an amateur radio “ham” extra class radio operator, is active in regional emergency communications efforts, and delights in remote, solar-power communications activities.
Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, Environmental Law; Water Law (2007-24)
Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2016-24)
International Law Office and Lexology, Client Choice Award for Excellence in Client Service (2015)
Robert N. Clay President's Award, Bluegrass Tomorrow Awards Breakfast (2010, 2023)
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.
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®.
Bluegrass Tomorrow Honors W. Blaine Early at 2023 Vision Awards Breakfast
LEXINGTON, Ky. —Bluegrass Tomorrow recently honored Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney W. Blaine Early, III with the Robert N. Clay President’s Award for most valuable board member. This is the second time Early has received the award.
What You Need to Know About Reclamation Bonds
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Seminar
Attorneys Blaine Early and Bill Gorton will be speakers for the NASBP's virtual seminar on reclamation bonds on Tuesday, February 28th.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 37 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Additionally, 11 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 19 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
20th Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference
Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
Environmental attorney Blaine Early will be a presenter at this two-day conference in Lexington, Kentucky on March 10 & 11, 2022.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 93 lawyers are included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Additionally, 11 attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 14 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.