Submit your evaluation of this attorney.
Contact Lawdragon about the information in this review.
2345 Grand Blvd.
Suite 2800
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Phone: (816) 292-2000
Email:
brhodes@lathropgage.com
Experience
More than 20 years experience litigating complex business and commercial disputes throughout the United States. Includes
extensive jury trial practice, appellate practice and, more recently, alternative dispute resolution. Wide-ranging
experience in all phases of media law and communications law for print, broadcast, cable and media throughout Midwest.
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL
- Won $4.12 million jury verdict in test case as part of multi-party franchise dispute with national tax preparation
firm; eventually collected $270 million on behalf of 16 clients;
- Collected $4.5 million jury verdict for national candy manufacturer for loss of customer goodwill and related damage to
registered trademarks;
- Obtained jury verdict on behalf of owners of a $12 million business jet allowing them to return the plane to the
manufacturer due to electrical defects;
- Recovered $1.7 million from national health insurance company in ERISA lawsuit brought on behalf of local non-profit
research corporation;
- Won $1.3 million arbitration award for client in breach of contract and fraud case resulting from failed acquisition of
business;
- Obtained $1 million jury verdict on behalf of national manufacturer against customer for damages caused by "bust-out"
scheme;
- Conducted wide-ranging internal corporate investigation on behalf of major public corporation into alleged obstruction
of justice; successfully handled federal grand jury investigation into matter;
- Successfully defended big three automaker against claim of "covering up" alleged product defect in lawsuit brought by
two so-called "whistle-blowers";
- Successfully represented a major defense contractor in a jury trial against a competitor. Our client filed a
counterclaim seeking to have the competitor's trademark registration cancelled. The jury ruled in favor of our client. The
trial court also denied the competitor's motion asking the court to stop our client from selling the product;
MEDIA
- Obtained dismissal of copyright infringement lawsuit brought against national television network by two brothers who
claimed the network stole the idea for a popular television drama series from their unpublished manuscript;
- Successfully defended local television station in lawsuit resulting from undercover "sting" operation conducted by
station;
- Won defense jury verdict in defamation action brought by school principal against local television station over false
broadcast;
- Obtained reversal of prior restraint order against local television station prohibiting broadcast of internet sex
predator investigation;
- Won summary judgment for national documentary producer in defamation case brought by local business owner over
broadcast of footage showing anti-drug protest;
- Achieved dismissal of false light action resulting from broadcast of wrong mug shot;
- Obtained Kansas Supreme Court ruling allowing media outlets to object to closure of proceeding in high-profile murder
trial;
- Obtained summary judgment in defamation/false light action by dentist over broadcast concerning allegation that dentist
violated Kansas Dental Act.
Education
- Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 1981
- University of Missouri-Kansas City, B.A., with honors, 1978
Admissions
- Kansas, 1992
- Missouri, 1984
- New York, 1982
Honors
- Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2003-2010
- Selected for Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005-2009
- Selected for Best Attorneys Network Directory, 2005
- Martindale-Hubbell® "AV" Rating
See Library Tab for articles, publications and presentations
by Bernard Rhodes 
