David Schatz

James C. Sullivan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. James C., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shane C. Mecham is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Shane C., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shane C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sean has extensive trial and litigation experience through his 27 years of civil defense practice. He represents national transportation companies in cases involving personal injury, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), grade crossing accidents, property damage, cumulative trauma exposure and other accident investigation and defense. His litigation experience includes a record of success in jury verdicts and pre-trial motion practice. He regularly serves on initial response teams fo...

Curtis R. Summers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Curtis R., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Curtis R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

It’s no surprise 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 devasting collapse of a flight display board at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airpo...

Mr. Robb 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, $350 million and $70 million , and the largest pre-trial settlement for an injury in a helicopter crash, $100 million which is also the largest pretrial settlement in U.S. history for a single plaintiff in a personal injury case. Mr. Robb is past President of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA). Mr. Robb h...

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...

Roger Nail is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Roger, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roger is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melody Rayl is a partner in the Kansas City office. Melody counsels and advocates for private and public-sector employers in all aspects of employment litigation and traditional labor law. Melody regularly advises and counsels her clients through difficult situations with an eye to preventing litigation before it occurs and provides training to supervisory and management level personnel on a variety of employment related topics. When litigation does occur, Melody works with employers in defen...

Bob Kirkland is the Founding Partner of the law firm of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP, which has offices in Liberty, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. He works with a variety of individual clients, handling the preparation of Wills, Living Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Irrevocable Trusts, Charitable Trusts and Minor’s Trusts, and counseling clients in the areas of gifting techniques, asset protect...