GM Law

Managing Partner: Committee
Number of partners: 6 Number of lawyers: 9
Languages: English

Firm Overview:
Established in 1992, GM Law PC prosecutes and defends complex litigation matters throughout the country. The firm has a formidable track record of success in high-stakes trials, arbitrations, and appeals and a national reputation for an aggressive yet practical approach. The firm has the flexibility to offer hourly or alternative fee arrangements (including contingency or blended arrangements).

Main Areas of Practice:
-Business Litigation
-Antitrust
-Securities
-Construction Litigation
-Insurance Coverage
-Intellectual Property
-Products Liability
-Professional Malpractice
-White Collar Defense
-Internal & Governmental Investigations

Business Litigation:
GM Law PC attorneys regularly represent businesses, including private and publicly traded companies, start-ups and major corporations, and individuals in multiple industries. The firm’s attorneys have experience in bet-the-company litigation across multiple areas; recently it has been retained to handle matters for the world’s leading appliance parts exporter and distributor (based in St Louis) and to handle trade secret matters for Kansas City’s largest general contractor. The firm has of late won victories or favorable settlements for a sports technology company in a trademark infringement/breach of contract case and a financial services company in claims brought by former shareholder seeking millions of dollars in damages.

Recent published victories include:
■ Obtained complete summary judgment on behalf of defendant INTRUST Bank, N.A. in complex litigation involving Plaintiffs alleging damages in excess of $24 million based on claims relating to bank's legal rights to assets pursuant to KUTC. Wagnon, et al. v. Rasberry, et al.
■ Obtained multiple favorable summary judgment rulings re construction of pollution insurance policies leading to a favorable settlement on behalf of insured against insurer in insurance coverage dispute. Sunflower Redevelopment, LLC v. Illinois Union Ins. Co.
■ Obtained $6.1 million jury verdict for breach of fiduciary duty and civil conspiracy, including $5.5 million in punitive damages
■ Obtained $10.1 million settlement against competitor of client for the theft of trade secrets, tortious interference, and breaches of restrictive covenants
■ Obtained summary judgment and denial of class certification for international manufacturer of GPS products. Meyers, et al. v. Garmin Int’l, Inc. (D. Kan.)
■ Following a ten-day jury trial, the firm obtained a verdict for $21.3 million in actual damages and $10 million in punitive damages in favor of Hallmark in a trade secret misappropriation lawsuit. The Eighth Circuit upheld the verdict in full. Hallmark Cards, Inc. v. Monitor Clipper Partners, LLC (W.D. Mo., 8th Circuit)
■ After six-week arbitration, the firm obtained award in favor of financial services company. Award was confirmed and a total of nearly $384 million was paid to client. American Century Investment Management, Inc. v J.P. Morgan Invest Holdings, LLC (AAA Arbitration)

Contacts: Kirk May, [email protected]
David Helms, [email protected]
Catherine Singer, [email protected]

Insurance Coverage:
The firm represents insureds and insurers in coverage disputes. The firm recently represented a real estate developer in a dispute with its insurer arising out of an premises pollution liability insurance policy.

Contacts: William Beil, [email protected]
Jason Hans, [email protected]

Complex Tort & Products Liability Litigation:
GM Law PC represents plaintiffs and defendants in all types of complex tort and products liability litigation. The firm recently represented a power plant operator and owners seeking eight figures in damages against international power equipment service company in case involving defective work causing a 76-day plant outage. The firm also serves as national trial counsel for the nation’s largest utility locating company, and has recently won victories or favorable settlements arising out of gas explosions in jurisdictions spanning the nation, including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Ohio.

Contacts: Kirk May, [email protected]
William Beil, [email protected]
David Helms, [email protected]

Class Actions:
GM Law PC has handled and tried numerous class action cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, and its track record of taking even the most difficult cases to trial-and winning-sends a clear message to opposing counsel that they cannot rely upon settlement. As representative matters, the firm is currently serving as counsel for plaintiffs in ERISA class action against an investment bank alleging its stable value funds were imprudently managed, and recently won the Garmin matter described above (see business litigation).

Contacts: Kirk May, [email protected]
Phillip Greenfield, [email protected]

Antitrust:
The firm has extensive experience in antitrust litigation, including matters involving price-fixing, market allocation, and tying arrangements. The firm also counsels and represents businesses in antitrust opt-out litigation.

Contacts: William Beil, [email protected]
Phillip Greenfield, [email protected]
David Helms, [email protected]

Securities Litigation:
GM Law PC represents corporations, corporate officers and directors, minority shareholders, brokers, and brokerage firms in securities litigation and regulatory enforcement actions. Among other representative actions, the firm recently successfully gained declaratory and injunctive relief for a private investment manager who sought to protect shareholder rights against entrenched board of directors of that company.

Contacts: William Beil, [email protected]
Catherine Singer, [email protected]

Professional Negligence:
The firm represents law firms and accounting firms in malpractice actions, including defense of two of Missouri’s largest law firms in malpractice actions claiming nine-figure amounts in damages. The firm also represents bankruptcy trustees in adversary proceedings in which it has recovered in excess of $30 million for bankrupt estates.

Contacts: William Beil, [email protected]
Jason Hans, [email protected],
Phillip Greenfield, [email protected]

White Collar/Internal & Governmental Investigations:
GM Law PC attorneys have extensive experience litigating against federal and state regulatory and enforcement agencies, including DOJ, SEC, CFTC, IRS, FDIC, Federal Reserve, SIG-TARP, EPA, FTC and state attorneys general. The firm also discreetly conducts internal investigations of corporations ahead of, and in some cases during, government investigations.

Contacts: Kirk May, [email protected]
Jason Hans, [email protected]