Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris LLC (SBH) congratulates member Charlie Harris on being recognized as a Legal Champion in Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s 2019 Missouri Lawyers Awards. He was honored during a ceremony Friday, Jan. 25 in St. Louis.

The Missouri Lawyers Awards honor attorneys who made an impact in the prior year. The Legal Champion awards are given to plaintiffs’ or defense lawyers, not based on the size of verdicts, but the importance of the principle or policy at stake.

Harris earned the Legal Champion distinction after leading the defense for Jackson County, Missouri against claims of sexual harassment and retaliation, resulting in a dismissal with prejudice in May. Jackson County paid plaintiff Christine Lynde no money, and she agreed not to file any similar suits in the future.

During depositions Harris conducted, details were revealed of Lynde’s inappropriate relationship with Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp. Lynde previously worked as an administrative assistant to Sharp, who resigned in the wake of the lurid details becoming public.

“The firm is extremely proud of Charlie’s work, which not only saved Jackson County taxpayers from a potential costly payout but also helped remove a corrupt elected official from office,” said Kim Jones, SBH managing member. “The result of this case emphasizes the overall strength of the legal team at our firm and the quality of work we do on behalf of clients. We are appreciative to have this effort recognized.”

In 2018, SBH members Paul Seyferth and Michael Blumenthal were named Legal Champions in the Missouri Lawyers Awards for their work ending a long-running lawsuit with a national hospital chain over funding for hospitals in Kansas City’s urban core. The case spanned seven years of litigation and, after appeal, was resolved for an amount exceeding $200 million.