Brian T. Bear

J.J. Burns has a national reputation as a go-to-expert on truck crash litigation. Through both jury verdicts and negotiated settlements, he helps truck crash victims and their families hold truck drivers, motor carries and freight brokers accountable for their negligence. Additionally, he works continuously to introduce safer practices and more demanding safety rules in numerous states and across the country. He is currently the Editor of the Journal of Trucking Litigation, and has also serve...

Patrick (“Pat”) Hulla co-leads the firm’s Class Action Defense Group. Since 1993, Pat has represented employers who have been sued by current and former employees. He has led the defense in dozens of class and collective actions. Examples of his recent success include: Denial of class certification in consumer race discrimination action; Denial of national conditional certification of age discrimination claims under the ADEA; Denial of class action certification of off-the-c...

Katrina Smeltzer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Katrina, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katrina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan J. Gavin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Ryan J., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anthony Bonuchi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Anthony, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anthony is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William S. Robbins, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. William S., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Todd A. Scharnhorst is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Todd A., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth D. Moeller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Elizabeth D., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John handles a wide variety of legal issues ranging from disputes between business owners to personal injury lawsuits to non-compete allegations to defective construction claims to interpreting insurance policies. It is his broad practice that enables him to see all sides of a client’s problems and help develop effective solutions. He has litigated a number of high-exposure wrongful death and personal injury claims from workplace accidents, product defects, trucking accidents, and insuf...

Jonathan Sternberg is an appellate lawyer based in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, representing businesses and individuals in civil and criminal appeals and related matters before state and federal courts nationwide. His practice is focused exclusively on appellate litigation, including briefing and arguing appeals and related actions and advising trial lawyers on procedural and strategic issues at all stages of a case. Since opening his practice upon his admission to the bar in 2007, Jo...