I have been fortunate enough to defend some of the more noteworthy civil cases in the Kansas City area during my three decade career. These cases have allowed me to depose Jim Kelly [Hall of Fame quarterback of the Buffalo Bills] about whether losing four straight Super Bowls caused him emotional distress, to learning about the inner workings of the rap music industry as a part of defending a tour bus driver involved in an accident during the Anger Management 2 tour. I love the courtroom: having tried over 115 civil cases to verdict.
Representative Matters
Plaza Gas Explosion & JJ’s Restaurant Litigation
Venue: Jackson County, Missouri The gas explosion at JJ’s Restaurant in Kansas City’s historic Country Club Plaza led to national headlines in 2013. Brad Russell, Jeff Baker and Tyler Hibler represented the underground utility contractor that struck a buried gas line before the explosion. There were more than 20 lawsuits filed as a result of this incident, which involved substantial personal injury and property damage claims. The firm provided public relations assistance and protected the legal and financial interests of its client from immediately after the explosion through the protracted litigation.
Hart v. World Wrestling Federation & Kansas City, Missouri
Venue: Jackson County, Missouri Professional wrestler Owen Hart fell to his death during a pay-for-view televised event at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. Brad Russell successfully defended the City and the Arena from these claims obtaining a dismissal for his clients without the payment of any monetary compensation.
Kelly & Bosworth v. Swan
Venue: U.S. District Court, District of Kansas Brad Russell was involved in the matter where Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly and Brian “Boz” Bosworth obtained sports disability insurance through a sports disability insurance agent. When it was later revealed that the insurance carrier was bankrupt perhaps due to fraud, these athletes and others filed suit claiming negligence, fraud, and emotional distress damages as a result of an alleged failure to properly investigate the insurance carrier. After extensive discovery including the depositions of all parties, the matter settled confidentially.
Hart v. World Wrestling Federation & Kansas City, MissouriHart v. World Wrestling Federation & Kansas City, Missouri
Venue: Jackson County, Missouri Professional wrestler Owen Hart fell to his death during a pay-for-view televised event at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. Brad Russell successfully defended the City and the Arena from these claims obtaining a dismissal for his clients without the payment of any monetary compensation.
Kelly & Bosworth v. Swan
Venue: U.S. District Court, District of Kansas Brad Russell was involved in the matter where Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly and Brian “Boz” Bosworth obtained sports disability insurance through a sports disability insurance agent. When it was later revealed that the insurance carrier was bankrupt perhaps due to fraud, these athletes and others filed suit claiming negligence, fraud, and emotional distress damages as a result of an alleged failure to properly investigate the insurance carrier. After extensive discovery including the depositions of all parties, the matter settled confidentially.
Wick et al v Paris Beauty Salons
Venue: Jackson County, Missouri Brad Russell and William Denning obtained summary judgment in this multi-party products liability action in Jackson County, Missouri. The three plaintiffs had demanded more than $10 million in damages, based on claims that the defendants’ acrylic nail products caused auto-immune disorders.
Recognitions
- America’s Top 100 Bet-the Company Litigators
- America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
- Best Lawyers in America
- Top Lawyers in Litigation-435 Magazine
- Client Satisfaction Award-American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
Articles
Granado v Wilson KS Court of Appeals Decision