Frost Brown Todd (FBT) Member R. James Straus received the 2016 Brown-Forman Spirit of Justice Award at the 13th annual Brush, Bottle and Barrel of the Bluegrass (BBB) on April 29. Straus is currently serving a fourth term as board chair for the Legal Aid Society, which is more than any other individual has served in the organization’s nearly 100-year history. The Legal Aid Society was established in 1921 and is the oldest of Kentucky’s legal services programs. Its mission is to “pursue justice for people in poverty,” accomplished by providing free, civil legal assistance. Straus’ contributions have resulted in an expansion of services to clients and diversification of fundraising efforts.
At FBT, Straus focuses his practice on general business planning and problem solving for private and public companies. He assists in the buying and selling of companies and other strategic transactions, as well as anti-trust analysis, supply chain design and franchise law. He also represents financial institutions and their directors and advisors.