Track Record & Recognition
Case Results Over the Past 24 Months:
- A defense award in arbitration claims of gender discrimination and retaliation brought by three former human resources managers against our client, an international, publically traded financial services company. Exposure to our client: $1.5 million.
- A defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri state court in claims of age discrimination arising under the Missouri Human Rights Act (“MHRA”) brought against a locally-owned family business. The Missouri Commission on Human Rights found “cause” that there was discrimination. The jury did not. Exposure to our client: the company’s continued existence as ongoing enterprise.
- A defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri state court alleging claims of age discrimination under the MHRA brought against a mid-sized chemical company. The evidence included an email claiming that the company would only hire employees under the age of 45. Exposure to our client: $1 million.
- A verdict in favor of the plaintiff in a declaratory judgment action involving the enforceability of a non-compete agreement under Missouri law. After a week bench trial, our client won on all claims and was awarded all attorneys’ fees incurred in the case.
- A defense jury verdict in Wyandotte County, Kansas state court in claims alleging consumer fraud against a national provider of funeral services. The claim was widely publicized on local television after the plaintiff’s claims were covered by a consumer advocacy reporter. The reporter – now a well-known local anchorman – testified at trial for the plaintiff. The jury found for our client.
- Motions to dismiss or summary judgment granted in at least ten different cases involving claims of race discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, and tort claims on behalf of SBH’s clients.
Accolades: SBH is Kansas City’s “go to” law firm to handle complex commercial cases and defend difficult employment disputes. Our firm and its lawyers have received the following distinctions:
- Chambers and Partners recognized that SBH “is going from strength to strength, forging a fantastic reputation in advice to and defense of midsized companies.”
- Each of our named partners (i.e., Paul Seyferth, Mike Blumenthal, and Charlie Harris) have been repeatedly recognized by a peer review as Missouri/Kansas “Super Lawyers” in the field of labor and employment law. Mike Blumenthal was recognized in that review as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Missouri/Kansas.
- Paul Seyferth, Mike Blumenthal, and Courtney Hasselberg have been repeatedly recognized by The Kansas City Business Journal’s peer review as “Best of the Bar” in labor and employment law. We were the only law firm in Kansas City with more than one lawyer recognized in this category. In fact, our lawyers constitute one-third of all the employment defense attorneys listed in this category.
- Paul Seyferth and Mike Blumenthal are included among The Best Lawyers in America and The Best Lawyers in Kansas City in the field of labor and employment law.
- Charlie Harris, Jr. recently completed his term as President of the Missouri Bar Association. Charlie was also recently selected by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for the “Best Lawyer in Missouri” award.
- Four of our lawyers served as law clerks to federal judges before entering private practice. Two of our lawyers finished first in their law school classes. Two were the Editors-in-Chief of their law reviews.