Thomas "TJ" Homan

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...

Tim Davis advises clients on all aspects of the employer/employee relationship, including compliance with the NLRA, FMLA, Title VII, ADA, FLSA, EPA, OSHA, Executive Order 11246, ERISA and state and local employment statutes. He has assisted numerous clients in proactively addressing issues involving complex termination scenarios, the maintenance of union-free operations, the development of non-discrimination policies, investigation procedures and training materials, the development of FMLA an...

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...

James C. Sullivan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. James C. practices law in Kansas City, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized James C. Sullivan since 2010. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James C. Sullivan is held by othe...

Ryan J. Gavin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Insurance and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Ryan J. practices law in Kansas City, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan J. Gavin since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ryan J. Gavin is held by other lawyers.

Rachel D. Stahle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Rachel D. practices law in Kansas City, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Rachel D. Stahle since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rachel D. Stahle is held by other lawyers.

Trina Ricketts is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Trina practices law in Kansas City, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Trina Ricketts since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Trina Ricketts is held by other lawyers.

Mark Emison is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Mark practices law in Independence, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Mark Emison since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Mark Emison is held by other lawyers.

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...

Victor A. Bergman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Victor A. practices law in Kansas City, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Victor A. Bergman since 2011. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Victor A. Bergman is held by other ...