Member

Whitney Frazier Watt

Louisville, KY

wwatt@stites.com

Since beginning her career at Stites & Harbison in 2003, Whitney has developed a wide-ranging litigation practice that includes product liability, toxic torts, mass actions, contract disputes, tortious interference, coverage disputes, and wrongful death. Whitney has taken and defended hundreds of depositions and made countless court appearances, including trials. An experienced defender of mass torts, she is currently responsible for managing a docket of several hundred product liability cases brought by thousands of plaintiffs. Whitney’s practice requires daily vigilance and dedication to ensure that a large team of attorneys and paralegals is always focused on the client’s best interests.

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Arbitration, Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution Business Litigation Class Action, Mass Action & Multi-District Litigation Litigation & Appeals Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Litigation Pretrial Practice & eDiscovery Product Liability Litigation Professional Liability Litigation

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Forever Chemicals - The Latest in an Ever Changing Landscape

IADC (International Association of Defense Counsel) 2024 Mid-Year Meeting, Miami, Fla., February 18-23, 2024

Defusing Nuclear Verdicts Prior to Trial

co-author, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Product Liability Newsletter, January 2024

Managing External Counsel

Moderator, IADC Corporate Counsel Training Academy, Chicago, IL, April 6, 2022

Is Quarantine to Blame for Increased Consumer Litigation?

Panel Member, 2021 Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference, ABA Litigation Section, November 17-19, 2021

4th Circ. Says 'Unfair' Va. Law Forces It To Nix Black Lung Suit

with Bethany A. Breetz and Carol Dan Browning, By Sarah Jarvis, Law360, November 9, 2020

Using Bankruptcy to Your Client’s Advantage

IADC Committee Newsletter, Product Liability, June 2020

Defense Strategies for Winning on the Statute of Limitations

American Bar Association, Products Liability Litigation Newsletter, August 2019

with Robin E. McGuffin

Design Thinking for Litigators

with Jennifer Henry Jackson, IADC Committee Newsletter, Product Liability, June 2019

Refinery's Blast Coverage Claim Blown Up by Own Expert

by Jeff Sistrunk, Law360, May 3, 2019

with Bethany A. Breetz

How to Win on Statute of Limitations

Speaker, IADC Mid-Year Meeting, Santa Barbara, CA, February 2019

Daubert: Trends and Statistics

IADC Committee Newsletter, Product Liability, November 2017

with Emily Larish Startsman

Trial Skills, Trial-Focused Discovery: What You Need & How to Use It

Speaker, ABA Women in Products Liability CLE, Philadelphia, PA, November 2016

Chapter 2: Preparation for Trial & Organization of Trial Materials

Co-author, Kentucky Civil Practice at Trial, 3rd and 4th Editions, UK/CLE, 2008 and 2016

Time for a Makeover: Newly Proposed Cosmetic Safety Litigation

ABA Products Liability Website, 2015

Five Things Every Businesswoman Should Know About Contracts

MBA Women, 2015

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Products Liability Year in Review

Speaker, ABA Joint Products Liability, Mass Torts, and Environmental CLE, Hollywood, Fla., January 2012

Products Liability 2011: Year in Review

Co-author, ABA Joint Products Liability, Mass Torts, and Environmental CLE Materials, 2012

with J. Brittany Cross Carlson

50-State Survey on Statute of Limitations

Co-author, Kentucky section, American Bar Association, 2012

Ethical Considerations for Using Technology in Your Practice

Moderator, ABA Women in Products Liability CLE, New York, NY, November 2010

Avoiding Discovery Pitfalls - How to Manage Your Document Productions and Reviews in a Way that Will Satisfy Your Client and Win Your Case

Moderator, ABA Joint Products Liability, Mass Torts & Environmental CLE, Beaver Creek, Colo., January 2010

Litigating in the Face of E-Discovery Rules: Post-Implementation Perspectives and Practice Tips

Moderator, ABA Women in Products Liability CLE, New Orleans, La., October 2007

Recent Assignments

Management of serial litigation against a major manufacturer of safety equipment

Secured summary judgment for a forklift manufacturer in asbestos litigation

Litigation against a prominent appliances manufacturer

Trucking litigation, including scene investigation, against a large professional services provider

Product liability, personal injury, and contract litigation against a moving equipment and storage rental company

Wrongful death, asbestos, and coverage litigation against a boiler inspection and insurance company

Breach of contract litigation and negotiations for a healthcare mergers & acquisition advisory firm

Litigation involving a talc supplier

Breach of contract, retaliation, and tortious interference litigation against a mental health hospital system

Litigation against a large motor vehicle manufacturer related to claims arising from fire damage

Litigation against a supplier of chemicals and ingredients used in flavors, fragrances, food, and beverages

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Memberships

International Association of Defense Counsel, Product Liability Committee, Chair (2023-present), Vice Chair of Programs & Projects (2021-23), Vice Chair of Special Projects (2020-21), Vice Chair of Webinars (2019-20), and Vice Chair of Newsletter (2017-19); Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee, Vice Chair of Empowerment Collaborative (2022-present) and Vice Chair of Member Involvement (2021-22)

American Bar Association, Women in Product Liability Subcommittee, Former Chair (2013-14)

Defense Research Institute

Trial Attorneys of America, Member

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

Community Involvement

Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program, Board of Directors (2020-present)

Girl Scouts - Troop 2166, Co-Leader

Whitehall House & Gardens, Board of Regents; Vice Regent; Secretary (2019-20)

Education

J.D., 2003

University of Kentucky College of Law

Kentucky Law Journal, Managing Editor 2002-03

B.A., English, 2000

Davidson College

European Studies Program - Classics, 1998

Oxford University, Lincoln College

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell^® AV-Preeminent^® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America^®, Mass Tort Litigation / Class action - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2020-24)

Kentucky Super Lawyers^® (2015-24)

Kentucky Super Lawyers^®, Rising Star (2013-14)

Forty under 40 List, Business First of Louisville (2013)

Contact Resources

Whitney Frazier Watt 's PDF Whitney Frazier Watt 's Contact VCF Whitney Frazier Watt's LinkedIn Profile

See more related to Whitney Frazier Watt

Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 12, 2024

Presentation Mikael Kristenson 242070 Unsplash

Events

IADC (International Association of Defense Counsel) 2024 Mid-Year Meeting

Date: 2/18/24 - 2/23/24

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry, 19999 West Country Club Drive, Miami, FL - 33180

Louisville office attorney Whitney Watt will be a speaker at the IADC 2024 Mid-Year Meeting in Miami, Florida February 18-23.

Whitney Frazier Watt January 10, 2024

Press Releases

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®.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 24, 2023

Press Releases

Whitney Frazier Watt Named IADC Product Liability Committee Chair

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Whitney Frazier Watt as Chair of its Product Liability Committee. She will serve a two-year term.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 28, 2023

Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 12, 2023

Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 18, 2022

Microphone Bogomil Mihaylov 519207 Unsplash

Events

2022 Corporate Counsel Training Academy

Date: 4/6/22
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Illinois

Whitney Watt will be the Moderator for one of the sessions of this Corporate Counsel Training Academy in Chicago on April 6, 2022.

Whitney Frazier Watt March 31, 2022

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 37 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2022

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2022 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 37 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 29 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and eight attorneys to the Rising Stars list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 11, 2022