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Overview

Mike concentrates his practice on general business litigation, which frequently involves complex commercial litigation and defending large class action lawsuits.

He often represents companies in the manufacturing, technology, and transportation sectors, as well as clients in the financial services industry. Mike has experience in all aspects of litigation – from the initial filing or defense of a lawsuit through trial and, when necessary, appeal – in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

No two clients, and no two pieces of litigation, are the same. Whether it is a bet-the-company case, or a more limited matter, Mike makes it a priority to understand the underlying relevant background of the dispute, as well as the goals that the client wants to achieve through the litigation. He then works directly with the client to develop and implement a strategy designed to achieve those goals. Utilizing this process has led to significant success, including:

  • Achieved the complete reversal of a $59 million judgment against an auto finance client in a statewide class action, where the appellate court remanded the case back to the trial court for entry of summary judgment in favor of our client.
  • Obtained summary judgment in a multi-million statewide class action against our client related to non-judicial foreclosures; achieved dismissal of the class’s appeal of the judgment.
  • Obtained summary judgment in a multi-million class action against a software company client; successfully defended against the class’s appeal of the judgment.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation, 2024 and 2025
  • Kansas City Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2015
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2015-2023, Rising Star, 2009, 2011-2014

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri School of Law
      • Dean's List
      • Judge Ross T. Roberts Scholar
  • B.A., University of Missouri
    • Psychology
      • Bright Flight Scholarship
      • Curator's Scholars Award

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
  • Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Kansas Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • The Missouri Bar

Clerkship

The Hon. Edwin H. Smith, Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, 2001-2003

Experience

Class Action

  • Achieved the complete reversal of a $59 million judgment against an auto finance client in a state-wide class action, where the appellate court remanded the case back to the trial court for entry of summary judgment in favor of our client.
  • Obtained summary judgment in a multi-million statewide class action against our client related to non-judicial foreclosures; achieved dismissal of the class's appeal of the judgment.
  • Obtained summary judgment in a multi-million class action against a software company client; successfully defended against the class's appeal of the judgment.
  • Achieved dismissal of securities putative class action against the board of directors of a local bank; successfully defended the appeal of the dismissal.
  • Achieved dismissal of putative statewide class action against a fuel company involving allegations of fuel overcharges.
  • Achieved favorable settlement on behalf of retailer client in a putative statewide class action involving consumer protection act claims.
  • Achieved favorable settlement on behalf of financial technology client in a putative statewide class action involving allegedly improper fees.
  • Achieved favorable settlement on behalf of restaurant client in two putative statewide class actions involving allegedly deceptive labeling of a food product.
  • Achieved favorable settlement on behalf of industrial production company in putative statewide class action regarding fuel surcharges.

Commercial Litigation

  • Frequently represents local, regional and national clients in commercial contract disputes, both on the plaintiff's and defense side.
  • Frequently defends auto finance clients in litigation involving UCC statutory notices, Fair Credit Reporting Act claims, consumer protection act claims, and "no title" cases.
  • Achieved jury trial victory for a cold storage facility in a breach of contract case filed in federal court against a food manufacturer.
  • Represented manufacturer client as first-chair in federal jury trial against food producer in which jury came back with a verdict which awarded no damages to the opposing party on their claims against client.
  • Achieved bench trial victory for a Canadian manufacturer in a breach of contract lawsuit filed against an Illinois company; successfully defended the appeal of the judgment.
  • Achieved dismissal of copyright case filed against clients in the entertainment industry.
  • Obtained complete defense verdict for financial services client in an arbitration involving consumer protection act claims.
Outside the Office

When Mike is away from the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lindsay, and their three kids, and going to as many Royals, Chiefs, and Missouri Tiger football games as possible.

Community Leadership
  • Lawyer’s Association of Kansas City, President (2017-18)
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar
  • Kansas Bar Association
  • Lead to Read KC