Charlie Harris and Nick Daugherty successfully defended a large public school district against allegations of wrongful termination after three plaintiffs were found to be complicit in falsifying and submitting attendance records in connection with the state certification process to earn accreditation and additional state funding. Plaintiffs filed three separate lawsuits. One plaintiff voluntarily dismissed their case, with prejudice, on the eve of their deposition. In another case the plaintiff filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The district court judge awarded summary judgment to the school district, and Charlie Harris argued before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on the matter in February 2024 with the lower court’s ruling affirmed. The third plaintiff filed a lawsuit in Jackson County (Missouri) Circuit Court, and in March 2024, SBH successfully achieved summary judgment for the client against discrimination claims under the Missouri Human Rights Act. In all instances, the school district paid no actual or punitive damages or costs to the plaintiffs.
In 2022, the United States District Court for Kansas granted a motion for summary judgment, dismissing a plaintiff’s claim that he was denied a promotion and forced to resign because he was over the age of 40. After discovery in the matter, Charlie Harris and Linda Adeniji filed the motion on behalf of the firm’s client, a name-brand consumer product company.
In 2021, Mike Blumenthal and Kimberly Jones obtained a complete defense victory in a sexual assault case tried before a jury in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri. After a two-week trial, the jury rejected the restaurant assistant manager’s claims that that she was sexually harassed and assaulted by a co-worker.
In 2019, Kimberly Jones and team obtained dismissal of intentional tort claims and summary judgment for their clients against claims of sexual discrimination and sexual harassment in federal court. This followed an eve of trial voluntary dismissal of similar claims against the same defendants in state court.
In 2018, Mike Blumenthal and Kevin Karpin prevailed in an issue of first impression before the Kansas Supreme Court relating to the “full-performance exception” to the statute of frauds in a case involving the enforcement of an oral contract. See Ed DeWitte Insurance Agency, Inc. v. Financial Associates Midwest, Inc., 308 Kan. 1065, 427 P.3d. 25 (Kan. 2018).
In 2018, SBH lawyers, led by Charlie Harris, represented Jackson County, Missouri in a highly publicized employment discrimination case involving a civilian working for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. A series of incriminating depositions Harris took led to the resignation of Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp. Additionally, after her deposition, Christine Lynde, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, dismissed her lawsuit with prejudice. Significantly, Jackson County paid Lynde nothing to dismiss her case. Nick Seacord provided invaluable assistance to the client and the team in this matter.
In September 2017, Kimberly Jones obtained a complete defense verdict in a race discrimination and retaliation claim filed against Scavuzzo’s Food Services, Inc. Plaintiff alleged a co-worker subjected him to racially charged comments and treatment, and when he complained, the company terminated his employment in retaliation. Alexander Nicholson v. Scavuzzo’s Food Service, Inc., et al.
In 2017, Mike Blumenthal and team represented an employer in an important appeal before the Missouri Supreme Court relating to the procedure for challenging timeliness issues in cases under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA). See Tivol Plaza, Inc. v. Mo. Comm’n on Human Rights, No. SC 95758, No. SC 95759, 2017 WL 3598211 (Mo. banc Aug. 22, 2017). This case resulted in the Missouri Assembly amending the MHRA.
In 2017, Mike Blumenthal and Deena Jenab obtained the dismissal of First Amendment retaliation claims against two university administrators in an issue of first impression before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. See Lyons v. Vaught et al, 875 F.3d 1168 (8th 2017).
Paul Seyferth and Kimberly Jones obtained two separate defense jury verdicts in Jackson County, Missouri, state court in cases brought under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA). Plaintiffs were former prosecuting attorneys claiming discrimination and retaliation. After brief deliberations, the jury in both cases found for our client on all counts.
Kimberly Jones and Deena Jenab won a defense award in arbitration claims of misclassification of a manager under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Claimant, a store manager at a car maintenance business, filed suit claiming that while he was the store manager, he primarily performed non-exempt duties. The arbitrator disagreed and ruled in our clients favor on all counts.
Charlie Harris received a defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri, state court in a case brought under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA). Plaintiff, a former employee who was terminated for rules violations, claimed that she was discriminated against on account of her race. Additionally, she alleged that the company retaliated against her because she participated in an investigation involving a co-worker. After two hours of deliberation, the jury found for our client on all counts.
In January 2013, Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris’ trial team comprising Paul Seyferth, Mike Blumenthal, and Kevin Karpin obtained an award of $162 million on behalf of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City against the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). The trial court also ordered a judicially supervised accounting before a special master. Following the accounting and an appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals, HCA ultimately settled the lawsuit in February 2017, culminating in HCA’s payment to the Foundation of more than $203 million in damages and attorneys’ fees. This was Missouri’s largest judgment in 2013 according to Missouri Lawyers Weekly. For more information on this case, see the articles printed in The New York Times and the Kansas City Business Journal.
Paul Seyferth won a defense verdict in Jackson County, Missouri, involving defense of fraudulent misrepresentation claims brought by several plaintiffs involved in acquisition of and financing for a car dealership. SBH represented the financing subsidiary of a major automobile manufacturer on both the defense of claims brought under Missouri law and on client’s counterclaims. After a two-plus-week jury trial, the jury found in favor of the defendants on each count and awarded SBH’s client roughly $800,000 on its counterclaims. Exposure to our client: more than $18,000,000 in actual and punitive damages.
Paul Seyferth and Mike Blumenthal received a defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri, state court in a two-plaintiff case brought under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA), brought against a family-owned grocery chain. Plaintiffs alleged that they were selected for a reduction in force due to their age. One of the plaintiffs worked for the company for almost 30 years and was terminated in favor of keeping a 28-year-old employee who had worked for the employer for four years. After a week-long trial, the jury returned defense verdicts in both cases. The jury deliberated for less than an hour.
Motions to dismiss or summary judgment granted in at least 30 different cases involving claims of race, age and gender discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, misappropriation of trade secrets, and business tort claims on behalf of SBH’s clients in the last 24 months.
In July 2016, Bruce Moothart obtained a defense verdict after a week-long trial for an individual in a jury trial in St. Charles County, Missouri in a case alleging serious personal injuries.
Paul Seyferth and Mike Blumenthal obtained a defense award in arbitration claims of gender discrimination and retaliation brought by three former human resources managers against our client, an international, publicly traded financial services company. Exposure to our client: $1.5 million.
Paul Seyferth obtained a defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri, state court alleging claims of age discrimination under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) brought against a midsized 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.
Bruce Moothart and Charlie Harris obtained a direct verdict after a week-long trial in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas in July 2016 in a claim involving allegations that an insurance agent failed to procure appropriate coverage.
Paul Seyferth won a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in a declaratory judgment action involving the enforceability of a noncompete agreement under Missouri law. After a weeklong bench trial, our client won on all claims and was awarded all attorneys’ fees incurred in the case.
Mike Blumenthal received a defense jury verdict in Wyandotte County, Kansas, state court in a case involving claims of 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.
Bruce Moothart successfully defended at trial and on appeal a chemical manufacturer blamed for the explosion of a chemical plant resulting in $50 million in damages.
Kevin Karpin and Paul Seyferth successfully resolved complex claims on behalf of real estate management companies victimized by a fraudulent insurance scheme, recovering more than $1.5 million, which represented 100 percent of the clients’ losses.
Bruce Moothart obtained a defense verdict on October 15, 2015 after a week-long trial in Jefferson County, Missouri for an insurer accused of trespass in the investigation of a workers’ compensation claim.
In August 2015, Bruce Moothart obtained a defense verdict after a week-long trial for an insurer in the U.S. District Court of Missouri in an insurance coverage matter.
In August 2015, after a one-week trial, the SBH team of Bruce Moothart and Paul Seyferth obtained a unanimous defense verdict in the United States District Court for the District of Iowa in Davenport, Iowa, in a case involving allegations of a ladder manufacturing defect. Plaintiff’s jury demand in closing argument was $7.8 million.
Bruce Moothart and team obtained a defense verdict in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas in February of 2015 on behalf of a ladder manufacturer in case involving allegations of strict liability for defective design.
Charlie Harris led a successful appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court from the West Virginia Human Rights Commission that overturned and reversed a judgment of more than $650,000 on claims of national origin discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge.
Accolades:
Chambers USA named Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris to Band 3 for Labor & Employment in Kansas City . The publication wrote that SBH is a “Kansas City team noted for the broad scope of its focus in the employment sector.”
U.S. News & World Report ranked SBH as a “Tier-1” law firm in Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management and Litigation – Labor & Employment in Missouri for 2017 and 2018.
Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris LLC was recognized by the BTI Consulting Group as being among 293 law firms from across the country as a “BTI Brand Elite Law Firm.” This list is prepared based upon BTI’s surveys of corporate clients and is a testament to the value and customer service we provide to our clients.
Chambers USA in 2012 listed SBH as a Band 1 “Leading Firm” in the Labor & Employment law segment. Chambers USA wrote that SBH “has become a significant force in the Midwest.”
SBH was recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for obtaining one of the five top employment defense verdicts in Missouri in 2011, in a case tried by Paul Seyferth and Mike Blumenthal.
Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris LLC was designated by the Super Lawyers Business Edition (2011) as the top “small” (i.e., 2-10 attorneys) law firm in Missouri for employment law.
SBH was awarded “Best Law Firm in Missouri for Labor & Employment Work 2009/10” and Kansas City’s “go to” law firm to handle complex commercial cases and defend difficult employment disputes by Corporate Intl Magazine in their 2009/10 US Legal Awards.
Chambers USA (2010) wrote that SBH “has a substantial profile for major commercial and employment litigation, and handles claims of discrimination and harassment made against elected officials, corporate executives and business leaders. Sources also praise the firm’s employment counseling and management training . . . The lawyers are assured and adopt highly creative strategies; the group is utterly deserving of its reputation.”