A city long known for thoroughbreds, bourbon and heavy manufacturing, Louisville, Ky., has evolved into a major transportation nerve center (United Parcel Service Inc. is now the city’s biggest employer), a major hospital and health care services hub (Humana Inc.’s home base) and home to the biggest fast-food conglomerate in the world, Yum! Brands Inc.
That diversification didn’t protect Louisville’s law firms from the recession, which cut deeply into mergers and acquisitions and real estate work, according to managing partner William Hollander of 200-year-old Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs. But it has positioned local firms for a nice recovery, he said, particularly as major worldwide clients get more creative about regionalizing their legal spend.
