Dinsmore & Shohl LLP is pleased to welcome partner Eric Farris in Shepherdsville Ky. to the firm’s national real estate practice and education industry group.

Farris joins Dinsmore after running his own firm for 40 years. His practice focuses primarily on corporate and real estate law, and his experience includes counseling state entities, local municipalities, and public school systems on economic development, real estate, and corporate matters.

The opportunity to leave his solo practice and expand through a national firm evolved via his collaboration with Dinsmore Louisville partner Cliff Ashburner on land development projects.

“There are a lot of young associates at Dinsmore who are able to not only assist me with existing clients, but will also be here to aid me in expanding my practice and providing continuity of service for an area that is very important to me,” Farris said. “I have a great feeling of comfort knowing that my clients will now have access to a larger team of exceptional lawyers and the high character of personnel that Dinsmore attracts.”

Farris also provides school district clients with guidance on how best to handle issues that continue to arise related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He represents one of the largest school districts in Kentucky, as well an independent school district, and he said schools are under immense pressure stemming from COVID-19 and disputes over masking guidelines.

“Professional educators are really having a hard time being able to do what they love doing, which is teaching kids,” Farris said. “We’ve had a lot of issues arise, whether it be volatile board meetings, open-records issues, or attempts to litigate these issues.”

Farris has also represented residential and commercial developers, and companies undertaking development projects. Through his practice, Farris has helped shepherd in new additions to the booming warehousing and e-commerce industry in Bullitt County.

Dinsmore Real Estate Practice Group Chair Richard Tranter shared Farris’ enthusiasm in welcoming him to the firm.

“We’re excited to have Eric join Dinsmore,” Tranter said. “He will further enhance Dinsmore’s zoning and development practice in the Louisville metro area and will add to the firm’s national real estate practice.”

A 1982 University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law graduate, Farris served as co-chair of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s transition team for economic development prior to the governor’s inauguration in January 2020. Farris is vice chair of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program, a board overseeing a statewide academic program for high school juniors. He also is vice chair of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, an oversight board for the state’s colleges and universities.

Louisville Business First in 2017 listed Farris as one of 20 People to Know in Economic Development.

He has been married to his wife, Elaine, for 40 years. They are parents to Marc, a Harvard Law School graduate and deputy general counsel for Beshear; and Tracey, a Chicago Public Schools teacher. When he’s not practicing law or serving his community, Farris enjoys traveling and playing tennis with Elaine.