Nine SHB Lawyers Named to Best of Bar

The Kansas City Business Journal's 2007 "Best of the Bar" supplement has recognized nine Shook, Hardy & Bacon lawyers as "among the most admired and respected lawyers in the Kansas City area." Honored for their reputations and professional standing were Partners Rob Adams (Tort), Jim Beck (Business Law), Laura Clark Fey (Product Liability Litigation), John Johnston (Tort), Harvey Kaplan (Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation), Bill Martucci (Business Litigation), Madeleine McDonough (Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation), and Pat McLarney (Litigation), and Of Counsel Joel Mosher (Tort). Five hundred Kansas City metropolitan lawyers participated by making nominations for this sixth annual poll, and the final list was vetted by a panel of accomplished area practitioners.

Characterized as "a snapshot of the premier players in Kansas City's legal community," the listing included brief statements from each individual selected. Madeleine described her litigation approach as "figuring out whether the problem may also present an unexpected opportunity to improve the client's business in some way or otherwise advance the client's greater business goals at the same time." Pat, who was managing partner in 1998, remembered that SHB opened five new offices in a single year. "I thought at the time that no firm in the world would take that much of a risk in one year," he said. "It told me a lot about my law firm."

Several SHB attorneys also expressed gratitude for current and former colleagues who served as pivotal influences in their careers. "I've been fortunate to practice alongside some of the most talented attorneys in Kansas City and nationwide throughout my career," Rob told the journal. Harvey said of David R. Hardy: "A fine gentleman and a superb advocate, he showed me the value of thorough preparation, and his confidence in me early on served as the inspiration for everything I've achieved as a trial lawyer." In addition, a few nominees not currently affiliated with the firm pointed to SHB lawyers as inspirations and mentors.

Bill has been included on the list for six years; Rob, Harvey and Pat have made the cut for five years; and John has been named three times. This is the second appearance for Jim, Laura, Madeleine, and Joel.