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Welcome to KCMBA

The Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA) is the largest and oldest bar association in the Kansas City area. Founded in 1884, KCMBA utilizes its rich tradition as a platform to provide current, innovative and relevant service to its 5,000 members in its nine-county service territory in Missouri and Kansas.

The mission of KCMBA is to serve its members and its community by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the law.

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Courthouse Security Passes are available to any attorney who is in good standing with their state Bar.

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KCMBA offers a vast selection of relevant, timely, and informative live seminars annually, in addition to a selection of online programming available 24/7.

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KCMBA's Career Center is a free benefit for members and employers posting open positions. To view the full job listings you must be a current member of KCMBA.

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KC Counselor is the monthly magazine of KCMBA and is a benefit of membership.

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February

KCMBA's February Member Social

Kansas City, MO

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Central Standard Time

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Fellows of the Bar

KCMBA recognizes the 2023 Fellows of the Bar and the Sustaining Members for their generous contributions to the Association. Fellowship is the highest level of membership at KCMBA. Any member who has been in practice for a minimum of eight years and has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the mission and goals of the Association is welcome to become a Fellow of the Bar.

2023 Fellows

Nicholas Hinrichs

Hinrichs Law Firm, LLC

Hinrichs received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas, and his law degree from St. Mary’s University. He joined the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecuting attorney in 2012. For three years, he prosecuted felony criminal cases ranging from involuntary manslaughter to crimes against children. Hinrichs has tried more than 30 trials to verdict which has allowed him to hone his courtroom skills. Hinrichs represents plaintiffs in catastrophic injury cases.

Mira Mdivani

Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm

Mira Mdivani practices business immigration law with Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm. Her areas of expertise are corporate immigration compliance and international personnel visas. Ms. Mdivani has served as chair of The Missouri Bar Immigration Law Committee and president of the Kansas Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section. She serves on the board of governors of the Missouri and Kansas Bar Associations. She has received President’s Awards from The Missouri Bar and Association for Women Lawyers; KBA Outstanding Achievement Award; Kansas City Business Journal Best of the Bar; Robert Gernon Award; and pro bono awards from UMKC Law Foundation and the KBA.

Wm. Dirk Vandever

The Popham Law Firm, P.C.

Dirk Vandever served as the youngest-ever president of KCMBA, then went on to become president of KCMBF and the American Board of Trial Advocacy (KS/MO). He regularly lectures on trial practice at national, state, and local levels. He graduated with honors from the University of Missouri- Columbia (BS) and the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law (J.D.). In 2013 and 2018, he received (plaintiffs) Lawyer of the Year from “The Best Lawyers in America,” as well as regular appearances in Best of the Bar and Super Lawyers. In 2015, he was named Dean of the Trial Bar and in 2016, Reptile Trial Superstar. Dirk was named in the top 30 plaintiffs personal injury lawyers 2020 Missouri Lawyers Weekly. His proudest achievement has been his own two children and his work against domestic violence.

Brian S. Franciskato

Nash & Franciskato Law Firm

Brian Franciskato is a founding member of the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm. Brian graduated from William Jewell College in 1990 and received his J.D. from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1993. Brian represents individual plaintiffs in serious personal injury, wrongful death, trucking, and medical device litigation cases. Brian is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized in the Kansas City Business Journal as Best of the Bar, as well as the Super Lawyers magazine for Missouri and Kansas. He is a member of the board of governors for the American Association of Justice, a member of the board of governors of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association — Top100 Attorneys in Missouri.

Derek H. Potts

The Potts Law Firm, LLP

Mr. Potts is the Founder and National Managing Partner of the Potts Law Firm which he founded in 2002. Over the past two decades, the Firm under Mr. Potts’ leadership has grown from a small personal injury law firm in Kansas City, Missouri to a national law firm that is regularly involved in groundbreaking litigations representing people who have been injured or suffered financial losses due to the negligence or conduct of others.

Lynn R. Johnson

Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chartered

Lynn has been with Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chartered since 1970. He has become nationally recognized as a trial attorney for his life-long devotion to the protection of individual rights and the enforcement of individual and corporate responsibility. Lynn has been recognized for many years by his peers in Kansas, Missouri, and the United States as one of the best trial attorneys in the country. Lynn is currently rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has been rated AV by Martindale- Hubbell since 1976. Lynn shares his expertise by being a frequent lecturer/ presenter at trial attorney continuing legal education events throughout the country. Over his career he has made more than 100 CLE presentations.

T. Bradley Manson

Manson Karbank McClaflin

Brad Manson’s practice focuses on valuation issues in divorce, estates and commercial disputes. He has been nationally recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 1989. Brad has been included in Best of the Bar in the Business Journal for many years, and included in Super Lawyers for Kansas and Missouri since its inception. Brad represents many local businesses and is admitted to practice in all courts in Kansas and Missouri, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Tax Court.

Tim E. Dollar

Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC

Tim Dollar is considered one of the top trial lawyers in America. He has tried more than 286 jury trials, has won hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, and orchestrated major company and legislative policy changes that make our world safer. Highlights of Tim’s civil practice include Bresette v. Brassfield and Gorre, et. al, a nationally publicized story about the devastating collapse of a flight display board at Birmingham- Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama. Additionally, Tim represented KC Wolf (Dan Meers), the longtime mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs. Meers was seriously injured, while performing a stunt at Arrowhead Stadium using a bungee cord and a zip line. His many jury trials include those he has conducted while serving as a special homicide prosecutor for Jackson County, Missouri. Jackson County has continued to work with Tim over the past 30 years on important homicide cases.

Meagan L. Blackwell-Patterson

Waldeck & Patterson, P.A.

Meagan L. Blackwell-Patterson is a founding member and shareholder of Waldeck & Patterson, P.A. Her civil litigation practice focuses on defending clients against personal injury and property damage claims of all sizes and types, from premises and products liability to wrongful death, civil and constitutional rights, and medical malpractice, plus insurance coverage. Ms. Patterson also represents small businesses in corporate, employment, and risk management matters. Additionally, she defends employers against Title VII claims in the EEOC, state Human Rights Commission and all State and Federal Courts in Kansas and Missouri, including the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

William C. Martucci

Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.

Bill Martucci is a national litigator and strategist for a number of Fortune 500 companies. Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business notes: Bill Martucci garnered overwhelming feedback for “his great knowledge, his ability to relate well to clients, and winning personality in the courtroom.” Clients say: “His trial skills and work ethic are second to none. His vigorous and passionate defense of clients and creative utilization of innovative strategies earns this national practitioner star status.” “A phenomenal litigator and a great lawyer... lauded for his comprehensive knowledge of business law and expertise in class action litigation. Bill Martucci is worth having on any dream team.” A graduate of Georgetown University, he is included in “The Best Lawyers in America” for business and employment litigation.

Athena M. Dickson

Siro Smith Dickson PC

Athena M. Dickson has been in private practice in Kansas City since 2003. Athena began practicing with Blumer Nally & Siro. She has continued to practice with Rik Siro and became a partner of Siro Smith Dickson PC in 2010. Licensed in both Missouri and Kansas, Athena handles personal injury, employment discrimination, workers’ compensation, and Social Security disability cases. Athena is a past president of the Association for Women Lawyers (AWL). She is also a past president of KCMBA’s Young Lawyers Section, and served as KCMBA’s 2020 president. In addition, she is immediate past president of the Jackson County Law Library (JCLL).

Stephen R. Miller

Miller Schirger, LLC

Steve Miller, a founding member of Miller Schirger, LLC, focuses much of his practice on the construction industry, but he is first and foremost a trial lawyer. He represents individuals and businesses nationwide in disputes involving not only construction but also financial institutions, general business, intellectual property, executive employment, real estate, legal and accountancy malpractice, products liability, personal injury, and trust and estates. Steve received his undergraduate, law, and graduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame. He maintains an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a top 100 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyer and Best of the Bar by the Kansas City Business Journal for over a decade. Steve has served multiple terms as the chair of the Construction Law Committee of KCMBA and has recently received the KCMBA President’s Award.

James P. Frickleton

Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C.

James P. Frickleton is a shareholder and vice president of Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C. A 1983 graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law, Jim has been active as a trial attorney, legal educator, and leader in bar activities throughout his practice. Jim has represented plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death actions across a broad range of specializations including class action, medical malpractice, product liability, aviation and railroad accidents and other catastrophic injury cases. Jim has served as an officer in a variety of bar organizations including president of KCMBA and UMKC’s Law Foundation. He is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, International Society of Barristers, and various other legal organizations.

N. Trey Pettlon, III

Law Office of Pettlon & Ginie

N. Trey Pettlon, III, is a co-founder of the Law Offices of Pettlon & Ginie, located in Olathe, Kansas. Trey handles criminal defense as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases representing clients throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area and across Kansas and Missouri in State, Municipal and Federal courts. Trey is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Trey graduated from the University of Missouri in 1988 and then Washburn University School of Law in 1991. While in law school, Trey argued before the Honorable Justice Antonin Scalia in the championship round of the Prince Memorial Evidence Moot Court Competition in Manhattan, New York. After spending three years as an Assistant District Attorney with the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, Trey entered private practice and later formed the “Law Offices of Pettlon & Ginie” with Ryan Ginie, who has also been selected as a Super Lawyer. He is admitted to practice in Kansas and Missouri as well as the U.S. District Courts in Kansas and Missouri and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Shawn G. Foster

Preuss Foster Law

Mr. Foster is a founding member, shareholder, and attorney at Preuss | Foster Law in Kansas City. He serves as an adjunct professor at UMKC teaching courses in Trial Advocacy and Constitutional Law. Mr. Foster represents clients that have been injured by no fault of their own and has devoted his career to giving a voice to those that have no voice after being injured. He is professionally affiliated and serves as a board member and legal counsel with MATA, KCMBA and Lee’s Summit Soccer Association. Mr. Foster was appointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority by Governor Parson in 2020. Mr. Foster has been honored as Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Lawyers by the Association of America’s Lawyers, and the Best of the Bar by the Kansas City Business Journal. Mr. Foster holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Central Missouri State University and a Juris Doctor from UMKC.

Jonathan P. Kieffer

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

Jon Kieffer is a Partner with Wagstaff & Cartmell, where he has practiced since 1998. Jon represents individuals and businesses as plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of litigation matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. His practice includes products liability, professional liability, insurance bad faith litigation and commercial litigation including business torts. Much of Jon’s current practice focuses on automotive, drug and medical device defect litigation, including multidistrict or “mass tort” complex litigation. Jon is a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers (ISOB). Jon also was selected by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 25 Product Liability Lawyers in Missouri and he has been named to the Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list of litigation attorneys every year since 2009.

Shawn Lee

Spectrum Law Office

Shawn M. Lee has experience with a variety of civil litigation and criminal defense cases. He is licensed in Missouri, Western District of Missouri, Kansas, District of Kansas and the Board of Veteran Claims and Appeals. He has defended individuals and companies in litigation from claims in- volving personal injury and corporate disputes. He has also won multiple verdicts on behalf of plaintiffs. Shawn has extensive experience in crim- inal defense. Shawn works diligently to develop a case for trial while ad- vising a client on their risks and strengths. If no settlement can be found, he is prepared to go to trial. Shawn has tried and won several first-chair trials over the course of his career.

Sandra L. Schermerhorn

Schermerhorn Law Firm

Sandra is the principal of Schermerhorn Law Firm and emphasizes employment law. She is a past president of KCMBA (1985) and received KCMBA’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2014. She has served the Bar in many ways including as chair of the Missouri Supreme Court Advisory Committee. She has been the board member and president of the Women’s Foundation, director and president of the Board of the Kansas City Free Health Clinic (Kansas City Care Clinic); director and president of Women with One Voice Foundation; trustee of MAST (Metropolitan Ambulance Services Trust); board member and president of the Good Samaritan Project; founding member and vice president of the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater KC; and board member of the Community Housing Network and the Unicorn Theatre. She has been the recipient of the prestigious Spurgeon Smithson Award from the Missouri Bar.

Casey P. Murray

Spencer Fane LLP

Casey Murray helps employers manage difficult situations with their current and former employees. In this capacity, Casey defends employers in discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, and provides guidance and counsel to clients dealing with challenging employment issues, such as terminations or discipline. He also assists businesses dealing with OSHA-related employment investigations—such as whistleblowing allegations—by working with employers to develop effective and efficient responses to any charges. In his litigation work, Casey frequently works with employers to draft and enforce non-compete agreements. In addition, he is an experienced appellate advocate who has argued before the Missouri Supreme Court and the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

James A. Breckenridge

Levy Craig Law Firm, A Professional Corporation

Jim Breckenridge joined Levy Craig as an associate in 2016 and became a shareholder in 2020. His practice has developed to specialize in providing support to fidelity and surety carriers with claim investigation and litigation. Active in the community, Jim is a past president of KCMBA’s Diversity Section and the LGBTQ Bar Association of Greater Kansas City. He has also served on the boards of the Jackson County Law Library and The Clinic at Sharma-Crawford, a deportation defense nonprofit. Jim is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the American Bar Association’s Fidelity and Surety Law Committee.

James R. Wyrsch

Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, P.C.

James R. Wyrsch received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, his J.D. from Georgetown University Law School, and his LL.M. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. He is a Phi Delta Phi, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and senior counsel of the College of Master Advocates and Barristers. He was named Dean of the Trial Bar, KCMBA, 2002; received the Lifetime Achievement Award, KCMBA, 2004; and the Liberty and Justice Legacy Award, KCMBF, 2007.

James A. Waits

Waits & Brownlee

James A. Waits is a partner at Waits & Brownlee, where he focuses his practice exclusively on handling foster and private adoptions and guardianships throughout western Missouri. He has handled in excess of 2,500 adoptions, including scores of contested termination of parental rights and adoption cases at the trial level, in the Court of Appeals and Missouri Supreme Court. He is regularly involved in speaking to foster parent training groups. He previously served as a municipal judge for the City of Independence, Missouri.

Brice C. Barnard

Votava Nantz & Johnson, LLC

Brice Barnard practices with Votava Nantz & Johnson, LLC. He assists clients in many areas of civil litigation with an emphasis on serious personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Prior to joining VNJ, he worked as an Assistant Prosecutor in Platte County, Missouri, where he was able to grow his passion for the courtroom by taking several jury trials to verdict. He also supervised Platte County’s Mental Health Court treatment program and served as the main author and supervising attorney for the creation of Platte County’s first diversion program. He currently serves on the Missouri Bar YLS Council, as Chair of the YLS CLE Committee for KCMBA, and as a mentor for the KCMBA Student Leadership Academy

Spencer Eisenmenger

Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet

Since receiving his law degree, Spencer Eisenmenger has investigated, developed and prosecuted medical malpractice, birth injury, nursing home, product liability, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, personal injury, wrongful death, trust and estate, uninsured/under-insured, equitable garnishment, life insurance and breach of contract claims on behalf of his clients. Spencer is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named by the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyer magazine in the area of plaintiff’s medical malpractice from 2013– 2016. He earned both his J.D. and his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Columbia and is licensed in both Missouri and Kansas.

Jonathan Sternberg

Jonathan Sternberg, Attorney, P.C.

Jonathan Sternberg is an appellate lawyer with his own practice based in Kansas City and St. Louis representing businesses and individuals in civil and criminal appeals and related matters before state and federal courts nationwide. Since opening his practice right after his admission to the bar in 2007, Jonathan has been counsel of record in more than 150 reported appellate decisions in a wide array of subjects. He has written more than 325 appellate briefs and presented more than 150 appellate oral arguments, including 16 before the Supreme Court of Missouri alone. Jonathan is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois, every U.S. Court of Appeals circuit nationwide, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

David A. Lunceford

Lunceford Law Firm

Mr. Lunceford has been practicing law in Missouri since 1995. He has tried over 35 jury trials and 100 bench trials. Mr. Lunceford has obtained over $12 million on behalf of his clients either by trial, or by settlements. Some of his notable jury trials include: Norwood vs City of Independence—West District Federal Court, $670,000 jury verdict – ADA case; Debra Hervey vs DOC—16th Circuit of MO, $2.6 million jury Verdict – disability case; Debra Hesse vs DOC—16th Circuit of MO, $1.5 million jury verdict -gender/ retaliation; Nunley vs City of KCMO – 16th Circuit of MO, $25,000 actual plus $125,000 punitive and $225,279 in attorney fees – gender discrimination; McKinney vs City of KCMO—16th Circuit of MO, $62,000 actual plus $152,310 in attorney fees – race/retaliation; and Richard Dixson vs DOC— 16th Circuit, $280,000 actual $1.2 million punitives and attorney fees – retaliation.

Thomas A. Rottinghaus

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

Tom is a partner with Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP. For over 15 years, Tom has focused his practice on professional liability, health care, and commercial litigation. He has tried cases in Missouri and Kansas, state and federal courts on behalf of corporations, physicians, individuals, and hospitals. Tom has been consistently selected by his peers in the Missouri and Kansas Bar for inclusion in the Kansas City Business Journal ‘s “Best of the Bar” publication and in the Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers publication, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Lawyers in America. Tom has an AV rating, which he received his first year of eligibility. Tom serves on the Missouri State Bar Disciplinary Committee. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers Association of Kansas City.

Brett A. Emison

Langdon & Emison, LLC

Brett’s practice focuses on catastrophic injury and death cases, and other complex tort cases, including automobile defects, railroad crossing accidents, trucking accidents, dangerous or defective drugs. He regularly pre- sents at seminars and other educational events teaching other attorneys the strategies learned in trials and cases across the country. For his successful representations of people injured in train accidents, Brett has been selected the “Lawyer of the Year” for the Kansas City metro area by Best Lawyers in America, in the category of railroad law for plaintiffs.

Andrew S. LeRoy

Bautista LeRoy, LLC

Andrew LeRoy is a partner at Bautista LeRoy, LLC. Andrew’s practice concentrates on products liability, auto and farming accidents, and nursing home negligence cases. He has handled complex product liability cases involving ATVs, Remington Model 700 rifles, tree stands, and farming equipment. His products liability work has allowed him to develop a national practice handling cases in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Tennessee. He received his law degree in 2005 from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Andrew was recognized as KCMBA Young Lawyer of the Year in 2014. This award is given to a young attorney who exhibits significant community, civic and professional work through his/her practice.

Thomas V. Bender

Horn Aylward & Bandy, LLC

Tom Bender has been a trial lawyer for almost 40 years, and is a partner at Horn Aylward & Bandy, LLC. He has appeared as lead counsel in numerous State and Federal Courts throughout the nation, including class actions and multi-district litigation matters involving consumer and antitrust matters. In addition to a nationwide trial practice, he is frequently requested as a mediator in complex litigation matters. Tom has served in numerous bar organizations and activities, including KCMBA (president 2010), KCMBF (president 2017) and The Missouri Bar Board of Governors (president 2019), receiving President’s Awards from both KCMBA and KCMBF. He has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Best of the Bar by the Kansas City Business Journal and as a Super Lawyer in the Missouri and Kansas editions.

Patrick J. Stueve

Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP

Patrick Stueve has prosecuted claims nationwide against some of the largest companies in the world, including Merck, Formula 1 Racing, ITW, Citigroup, United Healthcare and AIG. He’s secured more than $2 billion in jury verdicts, arbitration awards and settlements. Recognized as a National Law Journal “Elite Boutique Trailblazer” for his work in contingency fee business litigation, he focuses on bet-the-company, antitrust, and food and agriculture matters. Stueve represents entrepreneurs, privately held companies and publicly traded Fortune 500 corporations – often in highstakes cases. He settled a landmark Sherman Act I antitrust lawsuit brought against the largest managed care organizations and hospital systems in KC. He also served as co-lead counsel for a landmark case against agribusiness giant Syngenta. The resulting $1.51 billion settlement is believed to be the largest agricultural settlement in U.S. history and earned him a spot among Law360’s Food and Beverage MVPs.

Stacey L. Janssen

Janssen Estate, Probate and Elder Law

Stacey L. Janssen, returned to her own practice in 2022, founding Janssen Estate, Probate & Elder Law, LLC, practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate administration, and fiduciary litigation, practicing in both Kansas and Missouri. Ms. Janssen has a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas. Ms. Janssen currently serves as the chair of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association’s Probate Committee and serves as Treasurer to their board of directors. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, Best of the Bar and in 2021 received the KCBMA’s Distinguished Counselor Award.

Leon Versfeld

Versfeld & Hugo, LLC

Leon Versfeld serves as the managing partner of Versfeld & Hugo, LLC. He is licensed to practice law in South Africa, the United States (Missouri), England and Wales. Leon represents a variety of small and Fortune Companies both nationally and internationally on all matters relating to U.S. immigration. He often serves as an expert witness/ consultant in assisting fellow lawyers on immigration employment compliance, hiring practices (including I-9 audits/violations) and on the collateral immigration consequences/impact of certain criminal convictions of foreign nationals. Leon serves as immigration counsel to the Major League Soccer team, Sporting KC and also represents individual athletes, scientists and artists with extraordinary ability. He is the author of “Immigration and Naturalization Practice” published by The Missouri Bar and often speaks at national/international CLE events.

Jay A. Daugherty

Jay Daugherty Mediation & Arbitration

Jay currently works as a full-time mediator and arbitrator with one of the busiest mediation practices in the Midwest having conducted over 3,000 mediations in the last eleven years. He is the principal of Jay Daugherty Mediation & Arbitration, a practice limited exclusively to ADR featuring seven (7) of the region’s leading ADR professionals practicing in the premier mediation and arbitration facilities located on the Plaza in Kansas City. Previously, he was a Circuit Judge for 20 years, anAdministrative Law Judge for seven years, and, as the chair of Missouri’s Supreme Court Commission on ADR, is one of Missouri’s leaders in the evolution of alternative dispute resolution. Geographically, he has conducted mediations and arbitrations throughout the Midwest and in most major cities across the country.

Robert M. Thompson

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Robert (Bob) Thompson focuses his practice in the area of complex commercial business litigation and class actions in State and Federal Courts throughout the United States. Bob graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law in 1990 and began his practice with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. He served as the managing partner of the Kansas City office from 2006 to 2012 and was a member of the firm’s executive committee from 2012 to 2018. He has been recognized in recent editions of “The Best Lawyers in America,” Best of the Bar, and Super Lawyers. He has also been the recipient of a KCMBA President’s Award and has served on various bar committees.

Nathalie C. Elliott

Levy Craig Law Firm, A Professional Corporation

Nathalie Elliott joined Levy Craig in 1994 as an associate. She was later named shareholder and served as the firm’s president from 2003-2009. With more than 20 years of family law, mediation, and collaborative divorce experience, her expertise includes complex divorce cases, child custody cases in the context of a divorce, and prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. She received her J.D. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. She has been a member of KCMBA since 1990. Nathalie was awarded the KCMBA Congenial Counselor Award in 2009 and has been named a Super Lawyer since 2006, Best of the Bar 2014, Top 50 Female Attorneys in the Missouri/Kansas region 2014 and is a fellow of the American Bar Association.

Thomas P. Cartmell

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

Thomas P. Cartmell is a founding partner of Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP. For more than 25 years, Tom has been trying cases and handling lawsuits for both plaintiffs and defendants throughout the United States. Since co-founding Wagstaff & Cartmell in 1997, Tom has handled cases in a broad range of areas including professional liability, personal injury, product liability, and complex commercial and business disputes. Tom has significant experience in multi-district litigation, including several leadership positions, and has tried cases to verdict in multiple state and federal courts throughout the country. Tom has served as president of the Kansas City Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers, and is a member of various other legal organizations.

Joseph M. Backer

The Backer Law Firm, LLC

When handling a case involving personal injury, workers’ compensation or car wrecks, trial experience is a valuable asset. Attorney Joseph M. Backer has extensive experience trying cases in state and federal courts throughout Kansas and Missouri. Having taken more than 50 jury trials to verdict and hundreds of bench trials and hearings, Mr. Backer knows how to get results in court. Mr. Backer received his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Brian J. Madden

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

Brian Madden is a partner at Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP. Brian has tried numerous, complex, and serious cases involving business disputes, personal injury, and wrongful death. In 2012, Brian reached a $10 million class action settlement with an engineering firm on behalf of a class of Missouri landowners. Brian has represented banks involved in commercial disputes in MO and KS. In personal injury matters, Brian has represented burn victims who were killed or injured by such things as anhydrous ammonia, electricity, scalding water, and fuel-fed auto fires. Brian has also prosecuted cases against pharmaceutical makers for injury and death. In addition to trial work, Brian practices in the appellate arena. Some of his reported cases have, for example, successfully reversed a $5 million verdict, an adverse judgment against clients in trust litigation and protected a $1 million insurance coverage judgment for clients.

Thomas J. Bath, Jr.

Bath & Edmonds, P.A.

Tom Bath is a trial lawyer who practices criminal defense primarily in Kansas and Missouri. Tom began his career as a prosecutor in 1986 and began criminal defense work in 1992. Bath & Edmonds handles everything from allegations of driving under the influence to White-Collar fraud cases. Tom has tried over one-hundred and fifty jury trials that range from a one day municipal court appeal to a six-week trial involving federal fraud allegations in the Southern District of New York.

Nathan A. Orr

Spencer Fane LLP

Nate serves as general counsel for his clients, connecting them with the very best attorneys available so they can confidently receive unparalleled quality, efficiency, and responsiveness. In managing his clients’ relation- ships with the firm, Nate takes the primary role coordinating litigation and dispute resolution services. He uses his litigation experience to counsel dozens of businesses, providing strategy to restructure credits, protect assets, avoid costly litigation, and create new business relationships. Nate’s litigation experience includes complex commercial disputes and an array of employment matters. He has significant experience and trial work litigating various business disputes, including a $250 million real estate dispute involving complex municipal finance and creative damage theories. Nate serves in numerous community leadership positions and is a past president of KCMBA.

Jasmine J. Abou-Kassem

The Law Office of Jasmine Abou-Kassem, LLC

Jasmine Abou-Kassem began her career in 2009 as a commercial litigation associate at Polsinelli, PC. In 2014, she became in-house legal counsel for Hallmark Cards, Inc. and its subsidiary, Crayola, LLC, where she worked in the areas of personal injury litigation defense, intellectual property licensing, and commercial transactions. In 2018, Jasmine opened her solo practice, The Law Office of Jasmine Abou-Kassem, LLC, where she currently represents plaintiffs in the areas of personal injury, employment discrimination, and civil rights.

Todd P. Graves

Graves Garrett LLC

Todd Graves is a lawyer in private practice with the law firm of Graves Garrett in Kansas City. He represents clients nationwide before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. His areas of expertise include white collar criminal defense, political speech and election law, internal investigations, regulatory compliance, and complex commercial litigation. Before forming Graves Garrett, Todd served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. He was appointed United States Attorney from his position as Platte County Prosecuting Attorney, an office to which he was elected in 1994 and 1998. At the time of his election in 1994, he was the youngest full-time prosecuting attorney in Missouri.

Ronald Nguyen

The Law Office of Ronald Nguyen, LLC

Ronald Nguyen is the owner of The Law Office of Ronald Nguyen, LLC, which focuses on Immigration, Criminal, Family Law, Personal Injury Law, and Missouri Bar (OCDC) Bar Complaint Defense; however, Ron handles a variety of cases within Missouri and Kansas. Ron has and continues to serve on multiple legal and non-legal committees, non-profit boards, and leadership programs in Kansas City. Ron received the KCMBA’s YLS, President’s Award, the Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Award in Public Service, and the KCMBA’s President’s Award on behalf of the Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City, which he served as the President. Ron was selected for Super Lawyer’s Rising Star in 2018- 2021. Ron received his B.A. at the Loyola University of Chicago and his J.D. at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Nancy E. Kenner

The Kenner Law Firm P.C.

Nancy Kenner focuses her practice on plaintiff’s personal injury and medical malpractice cases. Nancy also handles mediations and arbitrations, with an emphasis on employment matters. Nancy was the 2012 KCMBA president, and is a member of Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, The Missouri Bar and Association of Missouri Mediators. Additionally, she is a member of the Association for Women Lawyers and was president in 2000. She is on The Missouri Bar Board of Trustees.

Samuel M. Wendt

Wendt Law Firm P.C.

Samuel Wendt is the founder of Wendt Law Firm, P.C. and has dedicated his practice to representing injured people and their families. Mr. Wendt has successfully represented countless people involved in automobile and commercial vehicle accidents, victims of medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, and wrongful death claims. He also has represented thousands of clients injured by defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals, such as Vioxx, Avandia, and Yaz/Yasmin, to name a few. Mr. Wendt received a B.S. in Cellular Biology from the University of Kansas and his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law.

Eric D. Barton

Wagstaff & Cartmell, LLP

Eric is a partner at Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation and class actions, including national multidistrict litigation, often involving antitrust, contract issues, or defective products. Before starting his private practice in 1995, Eric clerked for Judge Stephen H. Anderson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and Justice Fred N. Six of the Kansas Supreme Court. Eric has been repeatedly named in Super Lawyers for Business Anti-trust Litigation in Missouri and Kansas. He served as a merit selection panelist for the United States District Court of Kansas in evaluating applicants for a federal magistrate position. He co-founded the Lawyer’s Association of Kansas City’s annual Run for Justice 5K, which has raised money since 2005 for Legal Aid of Western Missouri. He currently serves on the board of the Midwest Music Foundation, a non-profit organization providing health care and educational assistance to Kansas City area musicians.

Jonathan Whitehead

Law Offices of Jonathan R. Whitehead LLC

Jonathan R. Whitehead practices civil litigation, including deep experience representing charities and religious nonprofits. He returned to the Kansas City area after graduating from Harvard Law School in 2004 and he started his own firm in 2008. Jon has represented charities locally and nationally, in trial and on appeal, on matters of nonprofit governance and First Amendment freedoms. He also represents small business organizations in ownership disputes and insurance coverage matters. In 2018, Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly named Jon an Influential Appellate Advocate for his work on Trinity Lutheran v. Comer, 582 U.S. He was also on the briefs for petitioners in this term’s Carson v. Makin, along with his father, Michael Whitehead. For the past eight years, he has been on the steering committee of UMKC’s annual Law and Religious Freedom Conference. He has held roles in the Kansas City chapters of the Christian Legal Society and the Federalist Society.

Greg Hough

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Greg is an Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Kansas, Criminal Division, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (32 years), handling primarily firearms, drug and violent crime offenses. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award and multiple Meritorious Achievement Awards, including one for the largest supply-side reduction in controlled substances in the history of the “War on Drugs,” which reduced the domestic supply of LSD in the U.S. by 98%. Greg is the past president of the Judge Hugh Means Inns of court, and a member in good standing with the Kansas and Missouri bars, 10th Circuit, United States Supreme Court, and the U.S. District Courts.

Raymond A. Dake

Siro Smith Dickson PC

Raymond Dake is a partner at the law firm of Siro Smith Dickson PC and represents plaintiffs in employment litigation matters, including age, race, sex, sexual orientation, and disability discrimination matters, whistle-blowing, harassment and retaliation claims, and wage and hour class actions, and personal injury litigation. He serves as Chair of the Communications Committee for KCMBA and as Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment Law committee and Senior Member At-Large for the Civil Litigation section. Mr. Dake received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law.

Tim J. Becker

Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC

During his nearly 30-year legal career, Tim Becker has become known and revered as one of this nation’s leading truck crash attorneys. Through his work at Dollar, Burns & Becker, Tim has litigated truck crashes cases in 38 of the 50 states and won millions of dollars in settlements for his clients.

Walter R. Simpson

Sanders & Simpson, PC

Walter R. Simpson of Sanders & Simpson, P.C. has been practicing in the Kansas City Metropolitan area in the field of personal injury litigation since 1967. He has tried 220 civil jury trials and has handled numerous cases in the Appellate Courts. Mr. Simpson has received the Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer Award issued by the Missouri Bar Foundation and the Dean of the Trial Bar Award presented by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. He has served as President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Kansas City Bar Foundation. He served ten years on the Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar, representing District 12. Mr. Simpson has held the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards continuously for the last forty years.

Michael C. Rader

Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C.

Mr. Rader specializes in wrongful death claims, professional negligence, trucking accidents, product liability, personal injury, and mass tort/class action litigation. “Clients don’t come to me when times are good. Most often, they turn to me when something tragic has happened or things are at their worst,” said Rader. “I take pride in being able to guide and aid my clients through these troubled times.” Missouri Governor Jay Nixon appointed Rader to the Missouri Brain Injury Advisory Council for his experience representing victims of brain injuries and their families. Rader also serves as a commissioner for the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners that oversees the operation of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, is a Fellow in ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates and ISOB (International Society of Barristers, is a 2008 recipient of the Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer award, holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and was also named in 2017 Missouri’s Most Influential Lawyers by Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Brittany Sanders Robb

Robb & Robb LLC

Brittany joined Robb & Robb LLC in February of 2020. At Robb & Robb LLC, Brittany practices personal injury law, including wrongful death, transportation accidents, hazardous products, and aviation. Brittany is proud to work on behalf of deserving clients and their families to impose responsibility for wrongful conduct, remedy product defects, and—one case at a time—help make the world a better place.

Daniel E. Blegen

Spencer Fane LLP

Daniel Blegen is a Partner at Spencer Fane LLP, where his nationwide litigation practice focuses on his clients’ most important legal matters, including breaches of contract, business torts, trade secrets, and intellectual property disputes. He has a track record of success in courts throughout Missouri and across the country. In addition, Dan has proven experience representing executives, officers, and directors in internal investigations, shareholder disputes, and governmental investigation and enforcement actions. Prior to private practice, Dan served as law clerk for the Hon. Scott O. Wright in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. He served as president of the KCMBA in 2017.

Dana Tippin Cutler

James W. Tippin & Assoc.

With more than 30 years in the practice of law, Dana has served in several positions of bar leadership during her career, including being the first woman of color elected as President of The Missouri Bar, in 2016. Dana has tried more than twenty bench and jury trials. Dana also serves as the Chief Diversity Officer for Holistic Industries but serves as a consultant and speaker on DEI issues nationally for the public and private sector. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with honors, from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and her J.D. degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

Anne Marie Marchael

Marchael Consulting

Anne Marchael is an attorney who dedicates half of her practice in plaintiffs' litigation and the other in business consulting. She has been a member of the KCMBA for 11 years and served as a chair to several YLS committees. After litigating on behalf of her clients for almost 10 years, she now has her own consulting firm and provides legal services for law firms, businesses, and individuals.

Andrew C. Robb

Robb & Robb LLC

Andrew joined Robb & Robb LLC in February of 2020. At Robb & Robb, Andrew practices personal injury law, including wrongful death, transportation accidents, hazardous products, and aviation. Andrew is proud to work for a firm that can make a real difference in its clients' lives and help prevent others from being injured by hazardous products and irresponsible corporate practices.

Marilyn B. Keller

Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, P.C.

Marilyn Keller is a shareholder at Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, P.C. and has continuously been with the firm since graduating from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 1991. Ms. Keller received her undergraduate degree in Accounting from William Jewell College in 1986. Before going to law school, Ms. Keller worked as an accountant and financial analyst. Ms. Keller has represented individuals and corporations in a wide variety of criminal and civil litigation matters in State and Federal Courts in Missouri, Kansas, and across the country. Ms. Keller is a Top 100 Trial Lawyer as recognized by the American Trial Lawyers Association and has been consistently recognized by MO and KS Super Lawyers Magazine. She has been involved in committee and leadership positions with KCMBA, and is a past president of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Marc K. Erickson

Wagstaff & Cartmell, LLP

Marc Erickson is the managing partner of Wagstaff & Cartmell, LLP. His civil trial practice emphasizes the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, mass torts, products liability, and business litigation. Marc has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict in Missouri and Kansas, in both state and federal courts. He has twice had his defense verdicts recognized as some of the top defense verdicts of the year by Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly. Marc is also a member of the Board of Governors for the Missouri Bar and an adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy at Kansas University Law School. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Society of Barristers.

Robert A. Henderson

Polsinelli PC

Bob began his trial practice in 1978, representing industry, financial institutions, government, national not for profits and individuals in litigation across the US. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, The International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has served as a National Board Member. Since his appointment by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2003, Bob has continuously served on the MAI Committee on civil jury instructions. Bob was a Dean of the Trial Bar recipient from the KCMBA in 2016. He has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America from 2003-2021, and has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation as one of “America’s Leading Litigation Attorneys” and “Local Litigation Star” from 2009-2021. Bob has also served many charitable boards throughout his legal career.

Lauren Perkins Allen

Lauren Allen, LLC

Lauren Perkins Allen is the sole owner of her law firm, Lauren Allen, LLC. Her firm handles complex litigation matters, including high stakes personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, and discrimination cases. Lauren has her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and law degree from University of Missouri. She serves as the President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation and has been a member of KCMBA for over 20 years. In the community, Lauren sits on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), a Member of the Society of Fellows at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and former Board of Governor of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.

Michael S. Meyer

Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C.

Mike Meyer is a partner with Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C. Mike is a trial lawyer representing individuals and families harmed by medical malpractice, car and truck crashes, defective products, and other negligent conduct. In addition, Mike is an active member in a number of legal and civic organizations, including the Variety Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

James R. Bartimus

Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C.

James Bartimus has more than 40 years of trial experience representing plaintiffs nationwide in complex medical negligence and pharmaceutical cases. Jim is listed in “The Best Lawyers of America,” Top 3 by Super Lawyers for Kansas and Missouri, and voted Best Medical Negligence Lawyer in Missouri. Jim is a fellow of The International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Legal Medicine, and American College of Trial Lawyers. He has served as president of International Society of Barristers, Civil Justice Foundation, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, KCMBA, KCMBF, Missouri Institute for Justice, regional chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and UMKC’s Law Foundation. He is a speaker both nationally and internationally.

Thomas W. Wagstaff

Wagstaff Mediations and Arbitrations, LLC

In 1997, after spending 25 years at Blackwell Sanders, Matheny, Weary & Lombardi, Tom Wagstaff and Tom Cartmell formed the firm of Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP. Tom has practiced in the area of civil trial work, having tried close to 100 cases to a verdict. In recent years, Tom has served as a mediator in both tort and business law disputes. Tom is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Tom has also served on the board of directors of KCMBA. He is currently chair of the board of directors of Saint Luke’s Health System.

Tom Hershewe

Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC

Tom Hershewe is one of the Midwest’s leading bad faith insurance litigators. Tom represents insureds who have had their insurance companies abandon them after another person sued them. Even in cases where the insurance company defends its insured, Tom often serves as the insured’s personal counsel to ensure that the insurance company takes the correct steps to resolve the case. During his time at Dollar, Burns & Becker, L.C., Tom has recovered more than $130 million against insurance companies for their failure to abide by good faith claims handling. If that weren’t enough, Tom has also handled almost every kind of personal injury case imaginable. He’s been involved with cases pertaining to truck crashes, electrocution, faulty products, and industrial accidents.

J. Kent Emison

Langdon & Emison, LLC

Kent Emison is a founding partner at Langdon & Emison where he devotes his practice to personal injury litigation. Kent has served as lead trial counsel in many significant cases, including Baker vs. General Motors, a landmark lawsuit that went to the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a unanimous opinion for his client. Kent is a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. “The Best Lawyers in America” and U.S. News and World Report named Kent the Lawyer of the Year for personal injury plaintiffs’ litigation for the Kansas City metropolitan area in 2018, 2014, 2011, and 2021.

Timothy W. Monsees

Monsees & Mayer, P.C.

Tim Monsees is a shareholder and director with the firm of Monsees & Mayer, P.C. He graduated with honors from the University of Missouri- Columbia School of Law in 1981. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Kansas, Texas and Colorado. Mr. Monsees restricts his practice to representation of injured parties in litigation of product liability, particularly cases related to defective firearms and hunting tree stands. Mr. Monsees’ firm has received national recognition for litigation related to injuries from defective sporting equipment and from defective firearms. Mr. Monsees is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Missouri Super Lawyers, Kansas City Business Journal “Best of the Bar”, and for many years has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell with an “A/V” rating.

Brandon D. Henry

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

Brandon Henry is a partner and trial lawyer at Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP. He has extensive jury trial experience, which includes numerous trials involving multimillion-dollar damage claims in multiple state and federal jurisdictions. Brandon’s local practice is focused on the representation of health care providers and other professionals. He also spends considerable time, nationwide, representing plaintiffs pursuing claims of personal injury, product liability and wrongful death. Brandon consistently has been recognized for excellence in the practice of law, receiving awards such as the Thomas J. Conway Young Trial Lawyer Award. Brandon also is a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Kansas School of Law, where he teaches a course in trial advocacy.

J.D. Williamson

Bar Association in 1992. He was engaged in the private practice of law from 1965 until his appointment as Circuit Judge in 1995 by Governor Mel Carnahan. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2007. He served as Assistant City Counselor for the City of Independence from 1965- 66, and as an Assistant Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney from 1970- 1977. He received his education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he obtained a Business Administration degree in 1963, a J.D. degree in 1965 and an L.L.M. degree in trial practice in 1972.

Hon. Charles E. Atwell

Jay Daugherty Mediation & Arbitration

The Hon. Charles Atwell brings 40 years of rich litigation experience to his ADR practice at Jay Daugherty Mediation & Arbitration. Charlie has been actively mediating cases since his days on the bench and has now mediated over 750 cases while in private practice. He is a member of the National Association of Distinguished Neutrals and the International Academy of Mediators. His background includes service as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Jackson County, Missouri, and an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Missouri, followed by private practice for over 15 years with his law partners Jim Wyrsch and JR Hobbs. He has also taught for years in the area of trial advocacy, not only in this area, but in other parts of the country.

Jeffrey Michael Kuntz

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

Jeff Kuntz has a broad litigation practice with emphasis in the areas of professional liability, products liability, mass torts, drug and medical device litigation, and personal injury cases. He has significant jury trial experience, including participating in cases with multimillion dollar damage claims for both plaintiffs and defendants. Jeff is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). In addition to being honored as Best of the Bar by Kansas City Business Journal and as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, Jeff was the 2010 recipient of the Thomas J. Conway Award. He was also awarded the William Welliver Award by the Missouri Bar in 2019.

John J. Gates

Gates Westering, LLC

John has over 20 years of experience trying cases and representing clients in nearly every claim imaginable, including business disputes, personal injuries, non-competes, defective construction, insurance coverage, school liability, trucking accidents, and real estate disclosures. He has tried several high-exposure jury trials in Missouri and Kansas, including three of the largest defense verdicts in Missouri and Kansas in the last fifteen years. John earned his degree in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University, and he received his JD from the University of Kansas. John is AV-rated, and he is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.

Jill A. Kanatzar

Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC

Jill Kanatzar is a partner with Dollar, Burns & Becker. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame School of Law in 1994, she served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County, prosecuting adult sex crimes and crimes perpetrated against children. She now represents victims injured by abuse and neglect in institutional settings including nursing homes, schools, and group homes. The Supreme Court of Missouri has appointed Jill to a Regional Disciplinary Committee and its Advisory Committee. She has served on the Community Advisory Com- mittee of the Health Care Foundation and the Board of the Brain Injury Association. She has been recognized as a Missouri Super Lawyer and received the 2018 Women’s Litigation Practitioner Award.

Michael D. Townsend

Townsend Law, LLC

The founder of Townsend Law LLC, Michael D. Townsend focuses his practice exclusively on personal injury, legal malpractice, and wrongful death litigation. Since opening his firm in August 2021, he has assisted people throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area who have incurred significant economic and noneconomic losses because of the negligence or recklessness of other parties. Mr. Townsend graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2005. Currently located in Overland Park, Kansas, Mr. Townsend is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in both Kansas and Missouri.

Timothy L. Sifers

The Potts Law Firm, LLP

Tim Sifers is the managing partner at the Kansas City office of The Potts Law Firm, LLP. Tim is listed as Best of the Bar in the Kansas City Business Journal, and he has been a Super Lawyer in Missouri and Kansas since 2012. Tim works on all plaintiff cases in the area of medical malpractice locally and mass torts nationally. Tim commonly speaks at CLE seminars. His proudest achievement is marrying Allie Sifers and having his two sons, Jackson and Connor.

Grant L. Davis

Davis Bethune & Jones, LLC

Grant L. Davis is a founding member of the law firm of Davis, Bethune & Jones, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri. He has devoted his career to representing individuals who were injured through the negligence of others. His practice includes the fields of personal injury, products liability, medical negligence, and commercial cases. He was named Lawyer of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018 by “The Best Lawyers in America” and received the Tom Strong Award in 2012. Grant is also an invited member of the Inner Circle of Advocates.

Terry J. Brady

Lathrop Gage LLP

Terry is a former Senior Counsel at Lathrop Gage, LLC. Terry is a former Secretary-Attorney for the Board of Police Commissioners. In 2005, he was appointed by the Governor of Missouri to a four-year term on the Board of Police Commissioners for the City of Kansas City, Missouri where he served as Treasurer, Vice President and President. He is a former Special Assistant Attorney General and General Counsel of the Office of Attorney General for the State Missouri. He is a Director and Secretary of the Police Foundation of Kansas City.

Robert L. Langdon

Langdon & Emison, LLC

Bob Langdon is a founding partner of Langdon & Emison. For more than 40 years, Bob has built a nationwide practice focused on personal injury litigation involving defective vehicles and consumer products and other instances of negligence. In 2000, he was one of only eight lawyers in the United States to bring lawsuits against Ford/Firestone for causing the deaths and serious injuries of thousands of innocent U.S. consumers. Bob has been inducted as a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was also named the Best Lawyers 2019 Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in Kansas City.

Matthew D. Meyerkord

Meyerkord, Russell & Hergott

Matt founded the beginnings of his personal injury law firm, Meyerkord, Russell & Hergott, in 2008. Since then, he has collected over $10,000,000 for his clients, including two cases over $1,000,000 and one $5,000,000 case. Matt has been involved with The Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA) since 2007 where he currently serves on the Board of Governors. From 2014-2018 he served on the American Association of Justice (AAJ) Board of Governors after being selected to represent MATA. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2012 and was named a Top 100 Attorney in Kansas and Missouri in 2017.

Bradford C. Kendall

Kendall Law Group LLC

Brad graduated from law school in 1990, passed the Bar and received his Missouri license in September of 1990. He is also licensed to practice law in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Brad has successfully handled numerous serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, ranging from semi-truck accidents to apartment fires, defective products, electrocutions, slips and falls, among others. Brad has developed specialized knowledge and experience that primarily relates to injuries and deaths arising out of transportation-related accidents, medical malpractice and nursing home neglect/elder abuse. These accidents include car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, ATV accidents and railroad injuries. Brad has received an AV rating by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review, the highest possible rating of both competence and ethics. He has tried cases in many different jurisdictions, including Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Arkansas and South Dakota.

Daniel L. McClain

Seigfried Bingham, P.C.

Dan McClain is an attorney at Seigfreid Bingham, P.C., specializing in contract, construction, lending, real estate, shareholder disputes and other business litigation. He has tried and argued cases in state and federal court and arbitration, including multimillion dollar complex construction disputes and class actions. Honored as one of the Best Lawyers in America and a Super Lawyer, Dan obtained his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Iowa. Dan started his career as a law clerk to the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri before entering private practice, including running his own law firm for five years. Dan is president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association’s civil litigation section, chaired Business Litigation Committee, and serves on the board of Heart to Heart International. Dan lives in Leawood with his wife (Michele) and their five children.

Hon. Ann Mesle

Hon. Ann Mesle was appointed to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County in 2000 and retired in 2013. Throughout her career, Judge Mesle has been active in the community, focusing much of her attention on higher education, health care for the underserved, and organized Bar Activities. She was President of KCMBA in 1996, Chair of the Board of Park University from 2013 to 2015, served as a UMKC Trustee from 1996 to 2012, and served on the Board of Health Care/Forward Foundation from 2014 through 2018. She currently Chairs the board of Children’s Services Fund, serves in the Board of Diastole which she previously chaired, serves as a Missouri Disciplinary Hearing Officer, serves as Co-Chair of the UMKC Starr Education Fund, and serves as a member of the TMC Self-Insurance Trust Management Committee.

Kirk R. Presley

Presley & Presley LLC

As founder and managing member of Presley & Presley, LLC, Kirk Presley has served the plaintiff in multiple jurisdictions, focusing exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases. He has been representing plaintiffs for nearly 35 years, with an emphasis on general aviation and insurance bad faith litigation, with 100 percent of his practice devoted to Plaintiff’s litigation. He is admitted to practice law in Missouri and California, as well as before the U.S. District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri. He has been admitted pro hac vice in numerous state and Federal courts including Kansas, Texas, Florida and Iowa.

Russell S. Jones, Jr.

Polsinelli PC

Russell S. Jones, Jr. is a shareholder in Polsinelli’s Commercial and Intellectual Property Litigation practice groups. Russ serves clients in industries including telecommunications, software and technology, consumer products, government, franchising, sports licensing, financial institutions, and the legal and accounting professions. Russ handles trials, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings involving class actions; securities; directors’ and officers’ liability; contracts; business torts; patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property; and antitrust. Russ was President of KCMBA in 2016 and is currently Treasurer of the KCMBF. Russ is also a member of the Executive Council of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

W. Perry Brandt

W. Perry Brandt is a Senior Counselor at Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. For many years he has been devoted to civic, charitable, and bar organizations. He is a past president of KCMBA, and a past member of The Missouri Bar Board of Governors. He currently serves on the Board of Trust of Vanderbilt University, and previously served as president of the Vanderbilt Alumni Association. Perry also has served as general counsel to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, as board chair of Wayside Waifs, and president of DeLaSalle Charter High School. He has been honored as one of Kansas City’s Most Powerful Business Leaders. Meanwhile, Perry is even more devoted to his wife Liz, his daughter Betsy, and his dogs Milly and Molly.

John P. O'Connor

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

John P. O’Connor joined the firm of Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP in April of 2006. John practices primarily in the area of general criminal law, white- collar crime, and complex criminal litigation. During his career he has tried over 165 criminal jury trials. John has been recognized as one of Kansas City’s outstanding trial lawyers on multiple occasions. He has been awarded the Louis Lombardo Prosecutor of the Year Award, as well as the Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award. John is a member of The Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the American Trial Lawyers Association, The Missouri Bar, and KCMBA.

Andrew B. Protzman

Protzman Law Firm, LLC

Mr. Protzman's practice areas include automotive and heavy equipment product liability, other product liability matters and general personal injury and commercial litigation. He is admitted to practice in federal and state courts in both Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Protzman has served as lead trial counsel and has been involved in the successful defense of significant automotive product liability trials in federal and state court, as well as other multimillion-dollar litigation.

Brandon J.B. Boulware

Boulware Law LLC

After clerking for federal and state court judges, Brandon Boulware has represented individual and corporate clients for 15 years in matters ranging from trucking accidents to antitrust monopolies to large breach of contract and business tort matters. Brandon has litigated in more than 20 states and tried cases in state and federal courts across the country. Brandon has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation since 2015, and in 2019 was named Lawyer of the Year for Kansas City, Missouri for Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement. In 2020, Super Lawyers named Brandon one of the Top 100 lawyers in Missouri and Kansas. Boulware Law focuses on representing plaintiffs in complex personal injury and business litigation.

Julie Frickleton

Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C.

Julie C. Frickleton is of counsel to the firm of Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader, PC. She graduated from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law in 1983, with distinction, where she served as Comment Editor of the Law Review and a member of the school’s Trial Competition team. She holds a BA in History and Political Science from Drake University (cum laude, 1978). Her litigation experience includes the representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in the areas of medicine, product liability and business. She is a longtime member of the Kansas and Missouri Bars, and has been admitted to numerous federal courts. Julie is an active member of the KCMBA, and various other civic and legal organizations.

Gary C. Robb

Robb & Robb LLC

Mr. Robb is a founding partner of Robb & Robb LLC. He has obtained numerous record-breaking results on behalf of past clients, including the two highest jury verdicts in U.S. history for helicopter crash wrongful death, and the largest pre-trial settlement for a single injury in US. history in a personal injury case. Mr. Robb is past President of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA). Mr. Robb has been selected by his peers as one of “The Best Lawyers In America,” He has been a BoardCertified Civil Trial Lawyer since 1994.

Andrew G. Colombo

Hovey Williams LLP

Andrew joined Hovey Williams in 1994. He specializes in preparation and prosecution of domestic and foreign patent applications, particularly in the areas of medical and other complex mechanical technologies. Andrew also specializes in trademark application preparation and prosecution, as well as licensing and dispute resolution in all areas of intellectual property. After earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Andrew worked with a local manufacturing company while attending law school. He began clerking for Hovey Williams in 1994 and has continuously worked for the firm since then. Andrew chose the practice of law after watching his father, also an attorney, help others with legal issues.

Brendan J. Donelon

Donelon, P.C.

Brendan’s nationwide practice of law focuses primarily on class action litigation including wage and hour and consumer fraud cases. He has resolved in excess of $110 million in wage and hour class claims. He is licensed in several Federal District Courts, Federal Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has had numerous jury trials in State and Federal Courts and extensive practice before State and Federal Appellate Courts, including briefing matters before the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also a member of the National Employment Lawyers Associate and Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. He graduated from Truman State University in 1992 with a B.S. in economics and is a 1995 graduate of the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law.

Roger D. Nail

The Nail Law Firm, LLC

Roger D. Nail is a graduate of Westminster College and received his J.D. from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He has served as a felony prosecutor in the Circuit Attorney’s Office in St. Louis and has over 15 years’ experience in the areas of product liability, professional malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death. In 2014 Roger opened his own law firm, focusing his practice on representing those injured by the negligence or intentional acts of others. Roger received the 2011 KCMBA Thomas J. Conway Young Trial Lawyer Award and has been recognized by Ingram’s Magazine in their 40 Under Forty publication. Roger has been recognized as one of Super Lawyers Top 50 attorneys in KC and one of the Top 100 attorneys in the states of MO and KS.

Paul L. Redfearn

The Redfearn Law Firm, PC

Paul Redfearn is the owner of The Redfearn Law Firm, P.C., founded in 1984. Graduating from Missouri State University in 1973, he then earned his J.D. from Oklahoma City University in 1976. Paul devotes his practice to representing individuals who have been injured or lost loved ones as a result of medical negligence, defective/dangerous products, motor vehicle collisions, or dangerous conditions of property. Paul is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Paul maintains an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, is recognized by Best Lawyers in America and has been named to the Super Lawyers list for 15 consecutive years. He is past president of MATA, an Advocate of ABOTA and is past president of its Western MO/Eastern KS chapter. He is a sustaining member of AAJ, a fellow of the Public Justice Foundation, and a member of the ABA. Paul has served as treasurer for LEAP and is now a proud life member.

Edward 'Kip' D. Robertson, III

Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C.

Kip Robertson is the managing partner of Bartimus, Frickleton, Robertson, Rader P.C. He focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, including catastrophic personal injury, appeals, insurance litigation and class actions. Kip has served as the chair of the KCMBA Torts Law Committee and is currently the President-Elect of the Civil Litigation Section. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Law (2006) and is the immediate past president of the Law Alumni Association. Kip received the Missouri Lawyers Media 40 under 40 award in 2014, has been recognized annually as a Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyer and has been selected as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators. Each year, Kip organizes the “Litigreat” advocacy symposium with KCMBA, which is a one-day seminar devoted exclusively to litigation for lawyers in practice seven years or less.

David M. Mayer

Monsees & Mayer, P.C.

David Mayer is the managing partner of Monsees & Mayer, P.C. David’s practice focuses on representing victims who have suffered from sexual abuse. For these efforts, David has been recognized as a Trial Master, is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, received the top AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, recognized as one of the top 10 lawyers in Missouri by AIPIA and was selected as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the American Trial Lawyers Association and the American Society of Legal Advocates. David volunteers his time for Legal Aid programs throughout Missouri and Kansas, and has served on boards of various charity organizations.

James R. Hobbs

Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, P.C.

James R. Hobbs is a shareholder at Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, P.C. He has an active practice in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, criminal defense, and commercial litigation. Mr. Hobbs is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has served on the MO Appellate Judicial Commission and is currently a member of the MO Supreme Court Commission on Race and Ethnic Fairness. He is a co-chair of the MO Supreme Court Task Force on Criminal Justice. Mr. Hobbs is a past recipient of the Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award bestowed by the Missouri Bar Foundation and continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor at UMKC Law School. Mr. Hobbs is listed in the Naifeh & Smith, Best Lawyers in America publication.

J.J. Burns

Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC

J.J. Burns practices with Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC. He focuses his practice on personal injury cases and specializes in handling claims against motor carriers. He is a graduate of KCMBA’s Bar Leadership Academy, and is a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. J.J. has written and presented extensively on the issues of truck safety and motor carrier liability. He is a member of both the Missouri and Illinois Bars. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law.

Kenneth E. Barnes

Barnes Law Firm, LLC

Ken Barnes is the founder and managing partner of the Barnes Law Firm, LLC. Ken concentrates his practice on complex litigation including personal injury, products liability, commercial disputes and FELA claims. Throughout his career Ken has practiced in State and Federal Courts throughout the country. He has obtained several substantial verdicts, judgments and settlements in complex matters and enjoys helping clients navigate the civil justice system. Ken obtained his J.D. from UMKC school of law and also holds a Masters degree in business management. He is perennially listed as a Super Lawyer, holds Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent distinction and has been honored with numerous other awards and recognitions. Ken is a past-president of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and frequently testifies in front of the Missouri legislature on matters effecting the civil justice system.

Thomas J. (T.J.) Preuss

Preuss | Foster Law

T.J. is the founding member of Preuss | Foster Law. Early in his career, T.J. defended doctors and hospitals, before his practice evolved into repres- enting plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death actions. T.J. spent a decade prosecuting nation-wide complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases, which was the catalyst for opening Preuss | Foster in 2017. There, T.J. turned his focus towards our local community, helping victims of vehicular negligence, professional malpractice and product liability. T.J. has obtained favorable results representing plaintiffs in medi- cal malpractice, civil rights, nursing home negligence, pharmaceutical and medical device liability and individual product liability actions. T.J. has been recognized by Kansas City Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar,” and as a Super Lawyer for over 10 years. Recently, U.S. News & World Report recognized Preuss | Foster as a “Best Law Firm.”

Sean T. Murray

Miller and Company P.C.

Sean practices in the area of Customs and international trade law. He assists clients with establishing and reviewing import and export programs, addressing shipment-specific issues, filing self-disclosures, and penalty mitigation. This work includes tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin marking, special trade programs (including foreign-trade zones), and U.S. export licensing and sanctions programs. He regularly speaks and provides training to clients and international trade associations. He received his B.A. from Grinnell College and his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law, where he served as editorin-chief of the Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems journal. He is currently admitted to practice in Missouri and before the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Hollis H. Hanover

Hanover Alternative Dispute Resolution

Hollis graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 1967. He has practiced for 53 years: thirty years as a trial lawyer and for the last twenty years has been a full time mediator/arbitrator.

John F. Edgar

Edgar Law Firm LLC

John F. Edgar is a founding partner of Edgar Law Firm LLC (2002). John focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in the areas of commercial litigation, fraud/misrepresentation, breach of contract, legal malpractice, securities, and other business torts. He has also prosecuted hundreds of class actions in the areas of consumer protection, product liability, environmental contamination, securities, wage/overtime, antitrust, and ERISA/employee benefits. John serves in key leadership roles throughout the legal and business communities and serves on the Board of Governors for the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. He is a former Board member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association.

Michael T. Yonke

Yonke Law, LLC

Mike Yonke is the attorney and founder of Yonke Law, LLC. In college, Mike was an intern at the Missouri Attorney General Capital Case Division where he was able to lend a hand in investigating and preparing murder cases while participating in some notorious murder trials. He then worked for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s gaining invaluable trial experience. Once receiving his J.D., Mike joined his father, Albert Yonke’s law firm, working on tort litigation and federal criminal cases. In 2001, Mike broke away from his father’s firm and opened Yonke Law, LLC. He focuses on medical malpractice cases as well as other personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Tony Luetkemeyer

Americo Life Insurance

Tony Luetkemeyer is Senior Counsel for Americo Life Insurance, and the State Senator for the 34th Senatorial District, representing Buchanan and Platte Counties. Sen. Luetkemeyer was elected to the Missouri Senate in the November 6, 2018 general election, after winning the August 7, 2018 primary. Sen. Luetkemeyer received his Undergraduate Degree from University of Missouri - Columbia, and his Law Degree from University of Missouri School of Law.

David M. Skeens

Walters Renwick Richards Skeens & Vaughan P.C.

David Skeens is a shareholder with Walters Renwick Richards Skeens & Vaughan, P.C. David is a trial lawyer with a concentration in commercial matters, personal injury, and consumer class actions. During his 30+ year career, David has handled cases in Federal and State Courts throughout the U.S. and has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. David is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the ABA, The Missouri Bar, Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers, Kansas Bar, and Kansas Trial Lawyers Association. David currently serves on the MATA Board of Governors, the UMKC Law Foundation board, and is a past president of KCMBF. David is a life-long resident of Kansas City, an alumni and ardent supporter of the University of Missouri, and an Eagle Scout.

José M. Bautista

Bautista LeRoy, LLC

José M. Bautista is a partner at Bautista LeRoy, LLC. While he spent the early part of his career representing plaintiffs in railroad crossing cases against companies such as Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway, his current practice extends to different areas of tort litigation including trucking and civil rights. Bautista earned his B.A. at Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. at St. Louis University School of Law, where he was an editor of the Law Review. Prior to entering the private sector, he served as a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s office in Madison County, Illinois and as a judicial clerk for Hon. Michael W. Manners in Jackson County, Missouri. Bautista is admitted to practice law in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, the Federal District Courts in Arkansas and Missouri, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is a former section chair of American Association for Justice (AAJ) and a past presi- dent of Asian American Bar Association.

Anita Porte Robb

Robb & Robb LLC

Anita Porte Robb is a founding partner of Robb & Robb LLC. She has handled many high- profile cases nationwide and has obtained numerous record verdicts and settlements. These include a $350 million jury verdict in an aviation wrongful death case, and a record $100 million pre-trial settlement for a single personal injury involving servere burns. She recently represented Vanessa Bryant, widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, in the helicopter crash lawsuit for the wrongful death of Mrs. Bryant’s husband and their daughter Gianna. The National Law Journal has recognized Anita as one of the Top Ten women trial lawyers in the country.

Scott S. Bethune

Davis Bethune & Jones, LLC

Scott Bethune is a founding member of Davis Bethune & Jones, LLC. Scott concentrates his trial practice in the areas of complex litigation, railroad litigation, product liability and mass tort litigation. He’s listed in “The Best Lawyers in America,” was named Lawyer of the Year for Mass Torts Litigation for 2017 and 2021, Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation in 2018, Lawyer of the Year Product Liability 2020, and Lawyer of the Year Medical Malpractice 2022. He’s been recognized in the Kansas City Business Journal as Best of the Bar, as well as a Super Lawyer by the Super Lawyers magazine for both MO and KS. He’s been inducted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, serving as president of the Western MO/Eastern KS Chapter. He’s served as a commissioner on Missouri’s Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission and 16th Circuit Judicial Commission. Scott is a past president of KCMBA, is on the board of KCMBF, and is the President of UMKC’s Law Foundation Board of Trustees.

Christopher S. Shank

Shank & Heinemann LLC

Chris is the founding member of Shank & Heinemann LLC. He has attained an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He represents corporations and individuals both as plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He has significant experience in product liability defense, white collar criminal defense, consumer class actions, real estate disputes, insurance coverage litigation, securities litigation, commercial litigation, and employment claims. He has litigated on behalf of clients in 48 of the 50 states. Chris has been an active civic volunteer at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, where he served for over ten years as trustee, secretary and finance committee member. He resides in Fairway, KS and currently is the Chair of the Fairway Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Shank served as judicial law clerk to the Hon. William R. Collinson (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri). He received his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Shirley E. Goza

QTS Realty Trust, Inc.

Shirley was named QTS’ general counsel in 2006. Shirley has more than 38 years of experience as a practicing attorney and law professor. Prior to joining QTS, Shirley co-owned and operated Focus Trial Solutions and served as managing partner from 2004-2006. Shirley was a partner with the law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. from 2000-2004. Shirley has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has received several awards, including KCMBA’s Baron of the Boardroom Award, Who’s Who of American Women, Outstanding Women of America, the Kansas City Business Journal award for Women Who Mean Business, and the Kansas City Magazine’s Super Lawyer award.

Brenda Hamilton

Seigfreid Bingham, PC

Brenda G. Hamilton, a Seigfreid Bingham shareholder, represents busi- nesses in courts nationwide in a broad variety of complex commercial litigation. She has extensive experience handling high-stakes litigation in- volving business torts, contract disputes, consumer fraud, trade secret theft, breach of noncompetition agreements, employment discrimination, FLSA/wage and hour violations, and insurance coverage disputes. She has successfully handled many class action lawsuits involving consumer fraud and FLSA/wage and hour claims. She is Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group and eDiscovery Committee. She serves on KCMBA’s Board as a Member-at-Large. She received a Women’s Justice Award- Litigation Practitioner from Missouri Lawyers Media in 2021.

Nick Hillyard

Wendt Law Firm P.C.

Nick Hillyard is a personal injury attorney at Wendt Law Firm dedicated to fighting for the best possible results for his clients. During the first 15 years of his career, Nick primarily defended claims. He now uses that background to ensure a full and timely recovery for accident victims. When that requires trial, Mr. Hillyard is an aggressive advocate in the courtroom. He has tried cases to favorable jury verdicts for his clients in courts across the states of Missouri and Kansas and successfully argued before the Court of Appeals. Nick earned his JD from UMKC, magna cum laude.

Keith A. Cutler

Tippin, James W. & Assoc.

Keith Cutler is a trial attorney, practicing in the areas of commercial, construction, general liability, and insurance defense litigation. He is a Lon Hocker Memorial Trial Award winner, and in over 30 years of practice, has first-chaired more than 80 civil trials in State and Federal Court. He is a past President of both the Jackson County Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Section of the KCMBA. Keith serves as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at UMKC School of Law, and as Vice-President of KCMBA. When not practicing law, he appears as co-host (along with his wife, Dana) of the two-time Emmy-nominated, nationally syndicated daytime TV courtroom show Couples Court with the Cutlers. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and his J.D. from UMKC School of Law.

Tyler William Hudson

Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP

Ty Hudson is a Partner at Wagstaff & Cartmell. He represents clients in high-stakes business disputes and class action matters. He has particular experience handling antitrust litigation and financial and investment fraud matters. He has tried cases in state and federal courts, as well as JAMS, AAA, and FINRA arbitration. His successful representation of clients has earned him recognition as “Best of the Bar” by the Kansas City Business Journal. For the last seven years in a row, he has been selected to Kansas and Missouri Super Lawyers for Business Litigation.

Scott C. Gyllenborg

Gyllenborg & Brown, P.A.

Scott Gyllenborg is a partner at Gyllenborg & Brown, P.A., a criminal defense law firm in Olathe, Kansas. He is KCMBA’s Treasurer, past president of KCMBF, and served as chairman of KCMBF’s 2020 Strategic Planning Committee. Scott is a former assistant district attorney for Johnson County, KS, and past presi- dent of the Johnson County Bar Association. He’s been selected “Best of the Bar” in Criminal Defense by the Kansas City Business Journal and has been listed in Super Lawyers/ Criminal Defense for KS/ MO every year since 2005. Scott holds an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He received the President’s Award from the Johnson County Bar Association in 2013 for distinguished ser- vice to the association. He’s a Life Member of the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Scott was an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas School of Law from 2005-2012, teaching Trial Advocacy to second and third-year law students. Scott is married to the Hon. Christina Dunn Gyllenborg, a district judge in Johnson County, KS. They live in Leawood and have four children in high school and college.

Thomas C. Jones

Davis Bethune & Jones, LLC

Thomas C. Jones is a founding member of the law firm of Davis Bethune & Jones, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri. He concentrates his trial practice in the areas of railroad crossing litigation, automobile/tractor-trailer litigation, product liability, professional negligence, and mass tort litigation. He is consistently considered one of the top railroad litigators in the country. He has been recognized in the Kansas City Business Journal as Best of the Bar by his peers and was named 2014 Lawyer of the Year by “The Best Lawyers in America”. In addition, Mr. Jones has been inducted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Lisa A. Hansen

Law Office of Lisa A. Hansen, LLC

Lisa A. Hansen has been practicing law since 2006 and has had her own firm since January 2012 located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She graduated in 1999 with her Masters in Social Welfare from the University of Kansas and with her Juris Doctorate from University of Missouri Kansas City in 2005. Her practice focuses on family law including dissolutions, paternity and Orders of Protection. She also does guardianships for both minors as well as adults. She has been actively involved in the KCMBA through her leadership roles in the Domestic Law Section as well as President of the Family and the Law Section in 2020. She also takes cases through Military Matters for veterans going through Family Court.

Peter E. Goss

The Goss Law Firm, PC

Peter Goss is the founding member of The Goss Law Firm, P.C. and has been practicing in the area of personal injury and mass tort litigation his entire career. Peter has represented and obtained favorable results for countless victims of automobile collisions, slip and fall accidents, severe burn injuries, railroad accidents, medical malpractice, and others. Peter has also represented hundreds of clients in mass tort litigation, including those injured by Avandia, Yaz/Yazmin, testosterone drugs, Actos, IVC filters and Attune Knee Replacements, to name a few. In his practice, Peter has maintained a dedication to client interaction and has worked tirelessly to ensure that his clients are fairly compensated for their injuries.

Michael S. Kilgore

Humphrey, Farrington & McClain, PC

Michael Kilgore obtained his law degree from the UMKC School of Law in 1995 and went to work as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. Michael is licensed to practice in Missouri and Kansas, and is admitted to practice in United States District Courts in Missouri and Kansas. Michael joined the firm of Humphrey, Farrington & McClain in 2012, bringing with him seventeen years of litigation experience. Michael is a member of the Kansas City Bar Association, The Missouri Bar, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, The National Trial Lawyers, and the American Association for Justice.

John J. Schirger

Miller Schirger, LLC

John J. Schirger is a founding member of the law firm of Miller Schirger, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri. He maintains a nationwide practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation, plaintiff class action, and securities litigation. John obtained his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1988, and his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 1992. John is known for his disciplined and thorough approach in cases, and also for being practical and creative in resolving disputes. He maintains an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been recognized as a Top 100 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyer and Best of the Bar by the Kansas City Business Journal.

Benjamin E. Long

Schlagel Long Rivera LLC

Benjamin Long is a member of Schlagel Long LLC where he practices estate planning, probate and trust litigation, and business law. Ben received his law degree from Washburn Law School where he has been an adjunct professor for over a decade. He enjoys writing for publications and is a team editor with ABA Litigation News. Ben has been named a Super Lawyer Rising each of the last seven years. Ben graduated from Kansas State University where he participated in student government, track and field, and rugby. Benjamin enjoys birdwatching and hiking with his three children and wife, Dr. Andra Long.

Robert D. DeWitt

KCMBA Senior Counselor

Robert “Bob” DeWitt has been licensed to practice law since 1954. He received his B.A. from UMKC in 1952 and J.D. in 1954. After serving two years in the United States Army, he began his practice in the Kansas City Area, first in the partnership of DeWitt, Nigro, Wilson & Dakopolos. In 1966, he formed a partnership with Stanford Zeldin which lasted forty-six years, during which he was engaged in the general practice of law while serving on many Bar Association committees. Bob has remained active with KCMBA and its Foundation. He also holds a Missouri Real Estate Brokers License.

Rachel D. Stahle

Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC

Rachel Stahle is an accomplished attorney who has significant experience litigating cases involving personal injury, nursing home neglect, medical negligence, and sexual assault and abuse. Since 2015, Rachel has been recognized as a Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyer Rising Star by Law & Politics. In 2014, she was recognized as an Up & Coming Lawyer by Missouri Lawyers Media. Rachel also received the Missouri Lawyers Media Women’s Justice Award in 2020 and has been included in the following: America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys – 2019-2020, The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 – 2017-2019, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best Female Attorneys in Missouri – 2019, and Outstanding Young Lawyers in Missouri & Kansas, Top Attorneys – 2018.

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