I handle general litigation matters in state and federal court in Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. My work involves a broad range of general commercial & business litigation, but specifically includes defense of car dealers & auto finance companies and defense against wrongful death and serious injury cases. I have experience at all stages of litigation, including initial case evaluation, pleadings and motion practice, discovery, depositions, expert witness discovery and depositions, mediation, arbitration, jury trials, and post-trial litigation.Of course, I also appreciate the opportunity to help you or your business avoid litigation through proactive counseling and advising on ways to avoid litigation and minimize litigation exposure.

I present nationally and locally, in-person and virtually, on a variety of topics related to litigation, claims handling, and practice management. Past speaking engagements include:"Extra-Contractual Roundtable," CLM Focus Conference, Co-presenter, December 2024“Slip, Trip, and Fall Litigation: Start to Finish,” NBI Webinar, Co-presenter, July 2024“Advanced Deposition Preparation,” MyLawCLE Webinar, Co-presenter, April 2024“Writing Effective Status Letters,” KNM In-House CLE, March 2024“Personal Injury Cases: Adjuster and Insurance Defense Perspectives,” NBI Webinar, Co-presenter, January 2024“Saved by a Paralegal,” Missouri Paralegal’s Association, June 2023“Avoiding Nuclear Verdicts,” KNM In-House CLE, December 2022“How Jurors Think: What Every Litigator Needs to Know,” NBI Webinar, Co-presenter, October 2022“Personal Injury Claims Negotiations,” NBI Webinar, Co-presenter, July 2022“Kansas Auto Injury Litigation from Start to Finish,” NBI Webinar, Co-presenter, June 2022“Jury Instructions for Dummies,” KNM In-House CLE, Co-presenter, April 2022“Kansas Trial Strategies, From Voir Dire to Post-Trial Motions,” NBI Webinar, Co-presenter, March 2022“Preparing Witnesses for Depositions,” KNM In-House CLE, January 2021“Time Management for Lawyers,” Missouri Bar CLE, Co-presenter, March 2020“Time Management,” Missouri Bar CLE, Co-presenter, April 2019

I represented a variety of clients with emphasis in the health care industry. Continuing to improve my litigation skills, I defended health care providers, medical facilities, and nursing homes involved in litigation throughout the Kansas and Missouri area. In addition, I assisted in banking related litigation matters. Highlights of my time at Simpson Logback including successfully defending against class action certification in a consumer rights claim and obtaining summary judgment for a hospital-client in a hospital personnel employment dispute.

I represented clients in a wide variety of cases ranging from simple personal injury cases to complex multi-party matters, typically through insurance defense contracts. I represented parties in Missouri and Kansas state and federal courts. During my time at Manz Swanson Hall Fogarty & Gellis, I began to hone my trial skills by participating in a year-long trial academy and successfully first-chairing a bench trial in Missouri state court. In addition, I continued to develop pre-trial litigation skills by taking and defending depositions of parties and experts, handling pre-trial motions and pleadings, and mediating simple cases.

I began my career as an attorney representing businesses and individuals in Missouri and Kansas state and federal court. Much of my experience at Brown & James involved motion practice, including a successful motion for summary judgment for a home builder client in a premises liability claim and a successful motion for summary judgment in a case against a pawn shop (later overturned on appeal after I left Brown & James). In addition, I developed skills in federal practice including removing claims to federal court and defending against motions to remand and developed skills in discovery motions, helping to prepare a writ of prohibition regarding a denial of a motion to compel discovery. My cases included a wide range of matters, typically through insurance defense contracts.

Assist attorneys in all stages of civil litigation. Work mostly in the fields of insurance defense, family law, probate law, and administrative law. Have drafted pleadings, reviewed discovery responses, written memorandum, drafted pre-trial motions, prepared exhibits and jury panel lists for trial, assisted at a jury trial, and researched for post-trial motions and briefs.

Provided night and weekend support to house operations. Maintained the house in clean, working order; performed clerical tasks related to family stays; and worked with volunteers.

Researched insurance defense issues and wrote legal memos. Observed the litigation process from an in-house perspective.

Researched and drafted a memorandum opinion for the court.