LOUISVILLE, Ky.— The University of Kentucky (UK) Alumni Association recently inducted Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney David B. Ratterman into the 2025 Hall of Distinguished Alumni. He is one of 20 inductees this year.
"It is an extraordinary honor to see David inducted into the University of Kentucky's Hall of Distinguished Alumni," stated Marjorie A. Farris, Chair of Stites & Harbison. "Those of us who have had the privilege of working alongside him know the depth of his dedication — not only to the legal and construction industries, but also to the University of Kentucky, education, mentorship, and public service. David's career has been defined by tireless advocacy, visionary leadership, and a genuine commitment to bettering the professions and institutions he serves. This recognition by the University is richly deserved, and we couldn't be more proud of him."
The UK Alumni Association recognizes a select group of outstanding alumni and honors them by induction into the prestigious Hall of Distinguished Alumni every five years. The Hall pays tribute to those UK alumni who have distinguished themselves and their alma mater through their contribution to the welfare of the commonwealth and nation in arts, sciences, business, industry, engineering, journalism, politics, military science, religion, agriculture, labor or other fields of endeavor. A total of 353 alumni have been inducted since 1963.
Ratterman is a Senior Member (Partner) and consultant to the firm's Construction Service Group on matters involving the fabricated structural steel industry in the U.S. and internationally. He has earned numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He is a Fellow and former Governor of the American College of Construction Lawyers. In 2014, Ratterman was presented the American College's Past Presidents' Award for exemplary service to the College over a period spanning nearly the entire 25-year history of its existence. He also was the Co-Founder and first Chair of the Kentucky Bar Association Section on Construction and Public Contract Law.
Ratterman has been an officer or advisor to 12 industry trade organizations and professional societies involved in the international fabricated structural steel industry. He served as Secretary and General Counsel of the American Institute of Steel Construction and as counsel to its National Steel Bridge Alliance for 30 years. In 2012, AISC named an annual college scholarship for him focused on helping children of the steel industry's blue- and white-collar families. AISC also awarded Ratterman the Lifetime Achievement Award honoring those who have provided outstanding service to AISC and the structural steel design/construction/academic community.
Lastly, he is a longtime supporter of the University of Kentucky. He is a past President of the UK Alumni Association. He received the Distinguished Service Award from UK Alumni Association (2012), was inducted into the UK College of Engineering Hall of Distinguished Alumni (2016), and was awarded the Department of Civil Engineering's Construction Management Founders Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2018).