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Jim Griffin

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Contact Info

Assistant

Faith N. Collins

Practice Focus

Business & Commercial Litigation

Product Liability Litigation

Health Care Litigation

Education

J.D., University of Virginia Law School, 1983

B.S Economics, cum laude, Kansas State University, 1980

Memberships

Missouri Bar Association

Kansas Bar Association

Awards & Recognition

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

Best Lawyers in America, in each of the following areas:

Bet-the-Company Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Personal Injury Litigation—Defendants

Chambers USA, General Commercial Litigation (Band 1)

Best of the Bar, Benchmark Litigation, Kansas City Business Journal

Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, Missouri and Kansas

AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

A versatile attorney, Jim Griffin has litigation experience on both the plaintiff and defense side, giving him a broad perspective and skill set. This versatility in a wide variety of industries including financial institutions, health care, agriculture, real estate and manufacturing, helps to provide insight and a unique evaluation approach to any case.

He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, has received the prestigious ranking as a “Band 1” trial lawyer by Chambers USA, and has been consistently recognized in Best Lawyers in America in several areas, including bet-the-company litigation. In 2013, Chambers USA aptly noted that clients prize Jim “for his determination to win cases as well as his excellent trial presence.”

“I am motivated by a desire to perform excellent work – to properly analyze complex cases, determine the best course of action and execute the strategy. Everything else follows from that.”

Jim has been the lead lawyer in more than 40 jury trials, many bench trials, and several multi-week arbitrations in Missouri, Kansas, and other states. He earned his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1983. He spent the first 30 years of his career with a local AmLaw 200 firm, Husch Blackwell LLP, where he served as its head of litigation and mentored young trial lawyers.

Results

First chair trial lawyer in over 40 jury trials, two multi-week arbitrations and numerous bench trials.
Received directed verdict for national law firm at the close of plaintiff’s evidence in a jury trial in Jackson County, Missouri.
Received arbitration award for healthcare provider for $8,000,000 in a payment dispute with a payor.
Received defense verdict for a railroad in a claim that lung cancer was caused by asbestos and diesel fume exposure in Wyandotte County, Kansas.
Received defense verdict for insurers in claim for insurance coverage for cleanup costs due to groundwater pollution in Jackson County, Missouri.
Litigated a wide variety of complex contract and fraud claims in a wide variety of industries.
Successfully managed class actions involving real estate closing practices, retail fees charged customers, medical monitoring (asbestos), insurance claims practices, airline ticketing practices, natural gas measurement, municipal bond fraud, tax preparation software and others.

Represented Special Litigation Committee of mutual fund board in derivative litigation over allegedly improper investments.
Recently tried and prevailed in two preliminary injunction trials – one against the FTC and the other over a large hotel management contract.
Litigated a wide variety of consumer claims in a wide variety of industries including automobile financing, retail, airline ticketing, and title insurance.
Represented WireCo in arbitration proceedings filed by a computer consultant that designed and installed ERP software for WireCo’s multiple manufacturing and management offices. WireCo counterclaimed for breach of contract, professional negligence and punitive damages. The consultant sought over $3 million from WireCo, but the arbitrator awarded a net of $2.2 million to WireCo, including punitive damages.
Recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements for businesses and individuals in commercial disputes.
Represented former Westar Energy Chief Strategic Officer in third pending federal criminal trial on charges arising out of actions taken during his tenure. After convincing Justice Department to drop charges shortly before the trial was to begin, took the lead in arbitration proceedings against Westar for termination benefits and other claims. The arbitration matter settled confidentially, but Westar reported in its SEC filings and to the press, that it paid Mr. Lake a total of $26 million.
Represented several defendants in a nationwide class action in Western Kansas against most participants in the natural gas pipeline industry alleging improper measurement of natural gas at all natural gas wells in the United States on private land. Selected to be one of the lead counsel of the defense group, taking the lead in factual and expert depositions and arguing class certification motions. The class was not certified.
Represented hedge fund manager in $30 million arbitration claim filed by another hedge fund with which the client had a contractual relationship. Confidential, but extremely positive, result after two-week arbitration before JAMS in Los Angeles.
Represented Jacobs Engineering Group, a construction manager, in a trial in the District of Columbia Superior Court. Jacobs acted as the construction quality manager on a major remodeling project at the State Department. Plaintiff claimed he was seriously injured as a result of negligence by Jacobs. After three weeks of trial, the court granted a directed verdict based on the lack of a duty, which was affirmed by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
Represented Salina Regional Health Center in a qui tam lawsuit brought by a disgruntled physician. Obtained summary judgment, affirmed on appeal in a precedent-setting case Conner v. Salina Regional Health Center, 543 F.3d 1211 (10th Cir. 2008).
Represented Providence Medical Center in case alleging wrongful termination of privileges. Obtained summary judgment.
Specialized in product liability cases including automobile equipment, asbestos, beryllium, pesticides, medical devices, gas turbines, farm equipment and cigarettes.
Served as mediator, arbitrator, and expert in legal malpractice cases.