R. Joseph Stennis, Jr.

Joseph Stennis, Jr. is an accomplished trial attorney with more than sixteen years of experience representing clients in complex litigation and workplace matters. His practice includes employment law, insurance defense, commercial disputes, premises liability, medical malpractice, and construction-related claims. Known for his strategic advocacy and results-driven approach, he represents various clients—from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits and local businesses—across federal and state courts.

Stennis earned his B.S. in Accounting in 1996 and M.B.A. in Finance and Entrepreneurship in 2001 from the University of Louisville. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law in 2007, where he was the winner of the Pirtle-Washer Moot Court Competition and a member of the Journal of Law and Education..

Stennis has successfully defended clients in discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, and constitutional claims under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, Section 1981, Section 1983, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. He has obtained numerous favorable rulings, including motions to dismiss and summary judgments in high-risk litigation. His clients include major corporations, school districts, construction professionals, and healthcare providers.

Stennis’s legal work also extends to resolving Department of Labor investigations, employment class actions, and arbitration enforcement. He regularly advises on Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) issues and risk mitigation strategies.

In addition to his litigation practice, Stennis is a frequent speaker and writer on employment law, DEI initiatives, unconscious bias, and regulatory developments affecting employers. He is recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and Kentucky Super Lawyers for his achievements in labor and employment law.

Joseph Stennis, Jr. is licensed in Kentucky and Wisconsin and admitted to several U.S. District Courts, including the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and the Western District of Wisconsin. Stennis is also active in professional and civic organizations, serving on legal boards, mentoring young lawyers, and engaging in initiatives that promote equity and community development.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP
• Member, Louisville Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
• Member, Kentucky Bar Association
• Member, Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc.
• Member, Louisville Black Lawyers’ Association

Licensed State

• Kentucky
• Wisconsin

Education

• University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Louisville
  MBA in Finance & Entrepreneurship
• University of Louisville
  BS in Accounting

Awards & Badges