Practice Areas

Business Litigation
Our People

Business Litigation

Business litigation requires a unique blend of business-specific knowledge and litigation experience. Wallace Saunders has both the knowledge and the experience to protect and move your business forward. Our Business Litigation attorneys handle litigation matters across a broad spectrum of professions and industries.

We understand that the “bottom line” for businesses is quick, efficient and successful resolution of business disputes. Our success in the courtroom can be leveraged in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, such as mediation and arbitration, which provide you with quicker and more efficient results.

When litigation is inevitable, our most experienced courtroom litigators are capable of strategically and persuasively presenting your business’s claims and defenses to protect your company and secure the best possible outcome.

Wallace Saunders’ Business Litigation attorneys offer business-specific knowledge and litigation experience in the following areas:

Accounting litigation
Accounting malpractice
Advertising injuries
Agency issues
Alternative dispute resolution processes (mediation, arbitration, settlement conferences)
Architect malpractice
Business interruption
Business torts
Complex litigation
Computer fraud and abuse
Construction litigation
Consumer protection/fraud
Contract and UCC disputes
Corporate directors and officers litigation
Declaratory judgments
Dental malpractice
Employment law
Engineer malpractice
Environmental
Errors and omissions
Estate, trust, and fiduciary litigation
Financial advisor malpractice

First-party claims
Fraud
Fraudulent transfers
Insurance matters
Intellectual property disputes
Land use
Landlord-tenant
Legal malpractice
Medical malpractice
Mold
Nuisance
Nursing home
OSHA compliance/investigations
Piercing the corporate veil
Premises liability
Product liability
Real estate disputes
Reinsurance
Subrogation
Surety and bond litigation
Theft
Toxic torts
Trucking and transportation

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Our People | Business Litigation

Gregory M. Bentz

Greg Bentz is an experienced trial lawyer with 40 years of experience representing clients in business litigation matters at all levels of State and Federal Courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Bentz graduated from both the College of Business and School of Law at the University of Nebraska. Both degrees were awarded with distinction. While in Law School, he served as an Executive Editor of the Law Review and graduated as a member of the Order of the Coif. Mr. Bentz has been recognized by the Best Lawyers in America for over 10 consecutive years in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Antitrust. He was selected in 2019 by Best Lawyers in America as Antitrust Lawyer of the Year in Kansas City.

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Stephanie E. Blaylock

Stephanie always seems to be ahead of the times—whether appearing on America’s Funniest Home Videos as a kid or earning her law degree after only 2 ½ years. Still, she brings to Wallace Saunders a deep background in problem solving, especially in cases involving transportation matters or complex construction disputes. And having represented clients through her law school’s Criminal Defense Clinic, she’s no stranger to the courtroom. With Stephanie on their side, clients reap the benefit of her considerable knowledge, experience, and intense personal investment, as well as her ready sense of humor.

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James G. Butler

In more than 40 years of service at Wallace Saunders, James Butler has done it all – from winning awards like the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory’s highest “AV” rating for lawyers, to helping us shape and refine the firm into the office it is today. He was a founding member of the Business Practice Group, and he continues to guide the firm’s direction as a member of the Management Committee.

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Angela M. Clark

Angela Clark has an active and successful litigation practice with more than 20 years of experience as trusted advisor and advocate for corporate clients, with a targeted emphasis on insurance coverage and bad faith extra-contractual claims. The law of insurance coverage and bad faith is constantly evolving, and Angela has considerable experience recognizing the bad faith setup, helping insurers avoid it, and managing high-stakes, multimillion dollar exposures in Missouri and Kansas. She has testified as an expert in Missouri insurance law before the Missouri House of Representatives in two legislative sessions, working to secure reforms to Missouri insurance laws.

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Christopher C. Confer

Chris Confer is a seasoned litigator, having handled and tried to verdict many cases. His trial skills have protected numerous railroads from potential multi-million dollar liability stemming from Federal Employer Liability Act (“FELA”) claims and grade crossing accidents. In addition, Chris has defended several railroads in multiple Federal Railroad Safety Act (“FRSA”) employment law / “whistleblower” actions. Beyond such high-exposure, high-risk cases, Chris has extensive experience with cases involving trucking and transportation, premises liability, property damage, and other torts.

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Autumn Green

Autumn is described by her peers as caring and empathetic. Her passion lies in helping others, which led to her previous work in public interest.

She finished her undergraduate studies in three years with honors. Then in law school, Autumn was selected to complete her school's Third Year Anywhere program, which allowed her to spend time in the courtroom handling her own cases with a temporary license. After being barred, Autumn handled numerous civil litigation trials and was a regular inside the courtrooms.

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Kathleen A. Hardee

Kathy’s primary goal is to understand her client’s business objectives and to collaborate in a way to accomplish those goals. She is a trial attorney and a mediator with over 30 years of experience representing clients in complex cases in state and federal courts across the country and has tried numerous jury and bench trials to conclusion, including appeals. Throughout her career Kathy has worked in the areas of business litigation, personal injury and products liability. She is a frequent writer and speaker on risk management and works with her clients to proactively minimize the risks of litigation.

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Marty T. Jackson

Marty Jackson is known for his endless wealth of knowledge. Which is perhaps why clients and partners alike turn to him for advice. If he doesn’t know the answer (which he usually does), he knows how to find it. That’s the kind of resourcefulness Marty brings to every case and client relationship at Wallace Saunders.

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Schalie A. Johnson

Schalie Johnson embodies the definition of hard work. She keeps busy as a Partner at Wallace Saunders – but she does not stop there. She is also a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, the Johnson County Bar Association and the Kansas Bar Association. Pushing her knowledge and the field forward is one of her biggest goals. It makes her a better attorney and positively influences our entire firm.

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John L. Kellogg

John practices in the area of commercial litigation with an emphasis on representing insurance companies in coverage disputes, vexatious refusal to pay claims, and bad faith matters. In his 20+ year career, John has first and second-chaired numerous jury trials and received defense verdicts on behalf of his clients. He has experience in both federal and state courts in Missouri and Kansas including substantial success at the appellate level. John has given CLE presentations on insurance coverage litigation for the Missouri Bar Association and Thomson Reuters. John’s unique attention to detail has helped his clients achieve favorable results both in and out of court. Prior to becoming a lawyer, John utilized his attention for detail as an auditor for a national accounting firm.

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Karl Kuckelman

Karl Kuckelman is all business. He truly enjoys serving the business community, and goes to great lengths for his clients. Karl has been with Wallace Saunders for more than two decades.

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Leo L. Logan

Leo brings over 41 years of of experience in civil litigation to the practice. Leo has represented many insurers and their policyholders in his career, but he also represents victims of personal, commercial and professional negligence. Ever keeping current, Leo regularly shares his legal knowledge at professional seminars, and is often asked by other lawyers to provide expert opinion evidence in insurance related matters. Leo is AV rated and consistently earns the “Super Lawyer” designation for business litigation.

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Brandon R. MacDonald

Brandon's competitive nature was shaped during his time as a collegiate athlete. He is comfortable taking initiative and is driven to provide the best results for clients. Plus, his background in legal research and NCAA Compliance fuels his curiosity to stay up-to-date in the legal field, especially when it comes to sports.

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Mark McKinzie

Mark W. McKinzie is a partner at Wallace Saunders. He was the managing partner of the firm for 16 years. For 10-plus years, he has earned the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory's highest “AV” rating and continues to be honored by KC Business Magazine as a Five Star Professional in estate planning.

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Bryan E. Mouber

Bryan Mouber has over 20 years of experience working with clients in heavily regulated industries. In addition to working closely with these clients to achieve their corporate and business goals, he guides them through litigation in state and federal courts on both sides of the state line with an emphasis in financial, drug and medical device, and environmental litigation involving petroleum storage tanks. He has extensive experience in every phase of litigation and takes a pragmatic approach to each phase to achieve results.

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Jeffrey S. Nichols

Jeff Nichols is a partner at Wallace Saunders, having been with the firm since finishing law school in 1999. He leverages his deep experience and knowledge every day to deliver the kind of litigation results you deserve. With a knack for solving issues quickly, he seeks early resolution when appropriate and takes matters to trial for vigorous representation when required. He works with numerous clients, both corporate and insurance-based, throughout all phases of the litigation process, from pre-suit investigations and scene inspections to all appellate processes.

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John Ross

John Ross is a partner of Wallace Saunders. He is Chairman of the Professional Liability Practice Group and Co-Chairman of the Transportation and Trucking Practice Group. John has been practicing law since 1992. His practice concentrates in the area of general civil litigation, trucking litigation, business litigation, and professional liability.

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Kellsey Shores

Kellsey was a tax attorney prior to joining the team at Wallace Saunders. Her practice consists of various areas of litigation as she has a passion for complex subject matter.

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Eric A. Van Beber

Few attorneys can match the range and scope of experience held by Eric Van Beber. For more than two decades, he was a partner at Wallace Saunders. A natural leader, Eric helps make key decisions as the firm’s Co-Chair of the Construction Law Practice Group.

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Practice Areas | Banking and Financial Services

The Banking and Financial Services group believes the simple edict that “time is money and money is time.” This concept drives our responsive, practical counsel in all matters of financing. We are dedicated to resolving our clients’ disputes in a no-nonsense manner.

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Practice Areas | Business Litigation

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Practice Areas | Construction and Design

The world of construction is comprehensive, collaborative and highly detailed. The same can be said of our approach to construction law. Legal regulations, city and state codes, federal guidelines, environmental issues – there’s a litany of laws and parameters that seems never-ending.

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Practice Areas | Corporate

The Wallace Saunders Corporate Practice group focuses on three primary areas: entity formation, operations guidance and contracts.

Accurate entity formation can have a major impact on your liability exposure as well as substantial tax consequences. It’s important to have appropriate control features in the establishing documents for your entity to ensure your ability to run your company in the manner you see fit.

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Practice Areas | Criminal Litigation

Everyone knows someone who has encountered law enforcement. Criminal charges and investigations often bring anxiety and uncertainty to the accused and his or her family. For this reason, it is essential to promptly find an experienced partner who can guide you through the legal process. The attorneys of Wallace Saunders’ Criminal Litigation Group are here to help. We provide our clients with the clarity needed to understand the criminal law processes and protect our clients by finding the best solutions based on their needs.

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Practice Areas | Design Professionals

Architects, engineers, construction managers, licensed site professionals and their firms have long relied on the Design Professionals Group at Wallace Saunders for comprehensive legal services. Our experienced team can handle any legal need that may arise, including regulatory and professional liability claims, advice concerning professional liability insurance, and representation in fee and contractual disputes with clients. Our highly experienced trial lawyers have represented clients in jury and nonjury cases, in both state and federal courts across the country.

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Practice Areas | Employment

The ever-changing landscape of human resources law is dizzying. It can be difficult for any HR team or business owner to keep pace. Whether your HR department is small, large or transitioning, the Employment Practice Group at Wallace Saunders works in tight cooperation with you. We take pride in partnership, collaborating closely to provide legal representation and counsel in a capacity that best serves your needs.

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Practice Areas | Healthcare

Quick advisers and zealous defenders for healthcare-based institutions and individuals, the Healthcare Group at Wallace Saunders offers something few healthcare groups can – all of our lawyers have been with the group for an average of 20 years. So you know you’re getting experienced healthcare counsel with long-standing client relationships.

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Practice Areas | Insurance

Insurance issues can escalate from simple to complex quickly, and you need attorneys able to handle it all. With Wallace Saunders, you can rest assured the attorneys in our Insurance Practice Group have a command of insurance law and litigation. In fact, the firm was founded more than 50 years ago with insurance at the core of our practice.

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Practice Areas | Litigation

Founded as a litigation firm in 1963, our attorneys carry on our tradition of substantial deposition and courtroom experience, with hands-on training that begins early in every attorney’s career. The litigation department is the largest practice area at Wallace Saunders, with more than half of our attorneys working under the Litigation Practice Area umbrella.

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Practice Areas | Mergers & Acquisitions

The Wallace Saunders Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group advises companies and firms in connection with a wide variety of mergers and acquisitions transactions. We serve as counsel on virtually any type of purchase and sale transaction involving our business clients. Our lawyers have facilitated mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of assets and ownership interests, and a variety of asset combinations, across a wide array of industries. We strive to understand our clients’ financial and operational dynamics, focusing on both the legal and business aspects of a transaction to ensure that the deal structure and terms reflect our clients’ business goals. Our lawyers are skilled at drafting effective representations, warranties, and covenants. The Wallace Saunders Corporate Practice Group assists our Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group clients with entity formation, operations guidance and contracts.

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Practice Areas | Product Liability

Understanding the nuances of Product Liability law and the significant exposure for clients involved in product litigation is a service not every firm can offer. Our experience representing manufacturers, distributors and retailers gives you the advantage of leveraging strategic planning with trial skills in this complex and dynamic area of law.

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Practice Areas | Professional Liability

Most professionals regularly handle situations where they cannot guarantee specific results for their clients or patients. This makes them vulnerable to professional liability lawsuits. Choosing the right attorney to defend such lawsuits is critical. Additionally, the best defense against professional liability claims begins before a claim ever gets filed.

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Practice Areas | Real Estate

Companies, municipalities, real estate developers and individuals have all called on Wallace Saunders for assistance with various types of commercial, residential, multifamily and land development projects.

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Practice Areas | Transportation: Railroad and Trucking

When it comes to trucking and railroading, our attorneys are with you from the start, emphasizing early response to losses. Our transportation attorneys are on call 24/7 to respond to serious accidents and emergencies by visiting accident scenes to gather and preserve evidence. This helps lay the groundwork for a careful investigation and vigorous claim defense. We have an established emergency response protocol, and will work with a team of accident reconstructionists, field investigators, and criminal defense attorneys, when needed, to immediately respond to trucking, railroading, and other transportation accidents and emergencies.

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Practice Areas | Wills, Trusts and Estates

Preservation and protection. The premises are simple. Navigating them can be complex. At Wallace Saunders, we focus on details, turning every stone to preserve your hard-earned wealth. We protect you, your family and your business. To us, it’s more than a job – it’s a duty we take to heart.

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Practice Areas | Workers' Compensation

Backed by 50 years of successfully defending the largest insurance companies in the country, the Workers’ Compensation Group at Wallace Saunders prides itself on personal service – when you hire a partner in the group, you get that partner. And you get a no-nonsense approach to defending employers in the area of workers’ compensation.

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News + Events + Alerts

Schalie Johnson elected to KU Endowment Board of Trustees

https://news.ku.edu/2023/10/30/ku-endowment-board-elects-6-new-trustees

Attorneys Chris Confer and Stephanie Blaylock return to present at AAR “Claims School”

The American Association of Railroads (“AAR”) recently held its annual “Claims School” – a training and education opportunity the AAR provides to claims representatives of various railroads. Last year, Mr. Confer and Ms. Blaylock presented at the Claims School, and because that presentation was so successful, the AAR invited Mr. Confer and Ms. Blaylock to give this presentation again to a new group of attendees.