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Lathrop Gage Recognized as a Leading Law Firm by Chambers USA

5/3/2019

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 3, 2019) – Chambers USA, the producer of an annual client guide to America’s leading lawyers, recognized 18 Lathrop Gage attorneys who received honors for their respective practice areas. Chambers also honored the firm for its strong practices in the categories of Kansas: Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions; and Kansas City & Surrounds: Environment; Labor & Employment; Litigation: General Commercial; and Real Estate.

The Lathrop Gage attorneys and practice areas are recognized based on Chambers’ research of the firm’s strengths, significant work and current clients. Chambers’ staff collectively conducted thousands of interviews with lawyers and clients to complete this year’s research.

The attorneys recognized include:

William G. Beck (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Environment) has received the top Chambers ranking every year since 2004 and is a former member of the firm’s Executive Committee. According to Chambers, he is well regarded for his litigation expertise, regularly handling sizable groundwater contamination cases and the like, while best known for his work on landfill sites. Sources say, “He is a very smart guy and is focused on technical issues.”

Scott Beeler (Kansas, Litigation: General Commercial) focuses on complex business litigation with emphasis in all phases of commercial, land use, real estate, development, construction, multi-party and business transactional matters. Gaining notoriety in his practice area, Benchmark Litigation also named Beeler a 2018 “Litigation Star” and Best Lawyers in America named him a 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” in the Kansas City, Kansas Litigation – Land Use and Zoning sector.

Jean Paul Bradshaw II (Missouri, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) is experienced in white-collar criminal defense, complex civil litigation, class actions and internal corporate investigations. He is also the Partner in Charge of the firm’s Kansas City office and leads Lathrop Gage Consulting, a firm subsidiary that focuses on government affairs, lobbying, procurement and crisis management. Chambers notes his ability to assist clients with False Claims Act investigations and environmental and regulatory matters. Clients stated, “he is very knowledgeable and highly influential.”

Nancy Sher Cohen (California, Insurance: Policyholder) is a leader of the firm’s Insurance Recovery and Counseling team and is the Partner in Charge of the firm’s Los Angeles office. Named in Chambers since 2003, she "has a strategic approach that enables her to resolve cases very effectively," says an observer: "She is very adept at negotiations behind the scenes." Chambers also states her client list includes notable defense contractors and property developers.

Don F. Dagenais (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Real Estate) specializes in commercial real estate purchase, sale, mortgage, lease, development, management and land use projects for commercial developers, builders, investors, condominium developers, banks, mortgage lenders and property managers. Recognized by Chambers since 2003, the listing points out his experience with a variety of projects, including the development of shopping centers, warehouses and hospitals.

Giulio A. DeConti Jr. (Massachusetts, Intellectual Property) has been named by Chambers since 2007. This year’s report states DeConti “is a highly experienced practitioner with significant expertise in advising life sciences arena companies on a broad range of patent portfolio protection and commercialization matters.”

J.A. “Jay” Felton (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Litigation: General Commercial) is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and leads the firm’s Agribusiness team. Felton has 20 years of experience and predominantly concentrates his litigation efforts on complex product liability cases and consumer class actions. Chambers points out Felton regularly handles product liability lawsuits on behalf of manufacturing clients, as well as internal investigations and regulatory matters. A client stated, "He is a trusted advisor who is very client-focused and a great litigator. He provides excellent judgment and insights.”

William F. Ford Jr. (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Environment) has been listed in Chambers since 2006. Chambers notes Ford handles matters related to water, waste and air issues and is known for his experience with both regulatory matters and litigation. “He has a nice strong delivery and personality,” stated an interviewee.

Cameron Garrison (Missouri, Intellectual Property) leads the firm as its Managing Partner and chairs the firm’s Executive Committee. He has significant experience in high-stakes patent, trademark, false advertising, copyright and trade secret litigation and also counsels a wide range of manufacturing, entertainment, internet, marketing and media clients on diverse matters such as development and valuation of intellectual property portfolios, licensing of intellectual property, resolution of domain name disputes, trademark and copyright prosecution, risk management, noninfringement opinions and technological and operational issues.

Janice E. Hetland (St. Louis, Missouri & Surrounds, Real Estate) has a national practice representing investors, developers and lenders on real estate transactions with an emphasis in tax credit transactions. Chambers states she has an expertise in securing tax incentives and other funding for affordable housing. Clients say, "Her main strength is that she can quickly assess a problem and devise a solution. She’s a quick study and is very smart and experienced." Hetland is also an American College of Real Estate Lawyers Fellow.

Rosalee M. McNamara (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Labor & Employment) serves as the firm’s Deputy Managing Partner and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She’s received top ranks from Chambers since 2004, with the publication noting her significant trial experience, regularly representing clients in disputes involving allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. A client stated, “She has considerable employment-related experience, is very down to earth and is very personable. She is willing to take as much time as necessary with a client and is not afraid to speak her mind."

Jared M. Minkoff (St. Louis, Missouri & Surrounds, Real Estate) has experience in all aspects of development and finance. Chambers states he is “a tax credit specialist who frequently advises clients on the financing of mixed-use and commercial developments,” and a client states, “He is very knowledgeable and proficient at finding solutions to difficult real estate issues. He responds to questions on a timely basis and is willing to explain legalese in layman’s terms."

Lyle D. Pishny (Kansas, Corporate/M&A), who has a Master of Laws in Taxation, advises clients on a range of business, tax and wealth planning strategies, often working with tax-exempt organizations and manufacturers. Listed since 2006, Chambers states Pishny is “adept at advising on business and real estate transactions.”

Jerry D. Riffel (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Real Estate) focuses his practice in the area of Real Estate and leads the firm’s Public Law Team. According to Chambers, he “is adept at handling redevelopment projects, in addition to the construction and development of residential and mixed-use developments.” A satisfied client reported, "When working with Jerry I feel like it is a true partnership. He helps me with what I cannot do and makes me feel in control."

Bridget B. Romero (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Labor & Employment) climbed up in her Chambers ranking from last year, her first year to receive recognition. Romero leads the firm’s Labor & Employment law practice group and Chambers notes her significant experience in wage and hour audit issues, workforce reductions and discrimination lawsuits. "She is very responsive and provides excellent counsel, not only from a legal perspective, but from a practical perspective as it relates to business needs. She is experienced, intuitive and an excellent communicator," stated a client.

Jack D. Rowe (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Labor & Employment) “has the ability to fashion great strategies for clients that avoid litigation," says his peers. Named by Chambers since 2003, this year’s report highlights his representation of clients in wage and hour class matters, and his ability to assist with collective bargaining agreement negotiations. Highly regarded in his field, Best Lawyers in America also named Rowe a 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation – Labor and Employment in the Missouri-Kansas City and he is a Fellow in the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers.

Thomas A. Ryan (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Environment) has been recognized by Chambers annually since 2009 and is noted as an expert in toxic tort cases. He frequently handles Superfund matters and represents companies in the transport and domestic waste management industries, among others.

David A. Shorr (Kansas City, Missouri & Surrounds, Environment) serves as Partner in Charge of the firm’s Jefferson City and Columbia, Missouri, offices. Listed by Chambers since 2007, he is noted as “an accomplished water lawyer with notable expertise in the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act.” He also regularly assists clients with permitting issues, including in relation to the sand dredging of the Missouri River. Shorr is also a registered Missouri lobbyist and assists clients with legislative strategies and is the past director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

About Lathrop Gage

Lathrop Gage is a law firm whose clients form the backbone of our economy. Our attorneys provide strategic guidance in litigation, business and intellectual property law, with deep knowledge and experience in the industries we serve. We work as one integrated team from offices across the country to help our clients see beyond immediate challenges to achieve their most important objectives. For more information, visit www.lathropgage.com.