Described in Chambers, a referral guide to leading lawyers in the United States, as wielding an “aggressive, successful courtroom style,” employing “aggressive yet well measured tactics,” and being “tenacious” with “a good- humored attitude.” He has a broad based litigation and appeal practice that cuts across a variety of substantive areas, reflecting his expertise as a “trial lawyer” and “appellate practitioner.” He represents corporations and individuals both as plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts and arbitrations throughout the United States.

Significant Representations

Obtained summary judgment and denial of class certification for Garmin companies in putative class action alleging violations of state consumer act.

Secured $452 million jury verdict for plaintiff utility on product liability claims arising out of power plant explosion. After trial court took away verdict, the verdict was reinstated on appeal.

After six-week jury trial, obtained jury verdict in favor of Nigerian battery manufacturer for approximately $1 million in a fraud based case. Case settled post-trial for double the jury verdict.

Represented group of doctors alleging insurer underpaid Medicaid reimbursement rates. After six-day trial, jury deliberated for less than three hours, awarding $3M in actual damages and $3M in punitive damages to our clients.

Obtained jury verdict in Iowa state court against nationwide retailer and in favor of individual plaintiff.

Practice Areas

• Business Litigation (Trials and Appeals)

Prior Work Experience

Partner
Stinson Mag & Fizzell, 1981–1992

Law Clerk, Judge J. Smith Henley
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1980–1981

Education

University of Tulsa College of Law, J.D.
Summa Cum Laude, 1980
• Tulsa Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor, 1979–1980

Duke University, B.A.
Cum Laude, 1977

Honors & Awards

Chambers USA, 2008–Present

Missouri and Kansas,
Super Lawyers Magazine, 2005-Present

Memberships

American Bar Association
(Litigation Section)

Missouri Bar Association

Kansas Bar Association

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Bar Admissions

Missouri

Kansas

United States District Court for Western District of Missouri

United States District Court for the District of Kansas

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

United States Supreme Court