Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Mr. Ford has a wide range of litigation experience in complex litigation including products liability, environmental and general business litigation. He has successfully represented clients in multidistrict and class action litigation throughout the country.

In the environmental area, Mr. Ford represents several national clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in environmental cost recovery litigation, and in negotiations with government agencies, allocation proceedings, PRP searches and remediation coordination.  Mr. Ford has extensive experience in underground storage tank litigation and administrative proceedings with governmental remediation funds.  He has experience with both hazardous and non-hazardous waste water treatment issues, Cleanwater Act Section 404, dredge and fill permits, Supplemental Environmental Projects submissions and alleged Oil Pollution Act violations.  In general business litigation Mr. Ford has represented business interests of both plaintiffs and defendants in numerous multi-million dollar lawsuits.  Mr. Ford's business litigation includes substantial experience representing government contractors and litigation arising out of operations and deactivation of Army Ammunition Plants.

In the products liability area, Mr. Ford has worked on cases involving alleged multiple chemical sensitivity, carcinogenic chemicals, explosives and other retail and wholesale goods.

Areas of Practice

• Media
• Waste Management
• Environmental
• Environmental Litigation
• Solid/Hazardous Waste
• Superfund
• Toxic Tort
• Tort Litigation
• Personal Injury/Products Liability
• Business Litigation
• Government Contracting
• Insurance Analysis and Recovery for Policyholders
• Insurance Analysis & Recovery for Policyholders

West Practice Categories

Business & Commercial Law, Contracts, Environmental Law, Government Contracts, Litigation & Appeals

Bar Admissions

• Missouri, 1985
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1991
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
• U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Trustee, The Nature Conservancy of Missouri, 1998-2003, Chairman, 1999-2002
• Mentor for at risk youth, Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance, 1997-2001
• General Counsel for Cradles & Crayons® Daycare Center for Special Needs Children, 1993-95
• Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership, Member, 1988-89
• Adjunct Professor at University of Kansas, 1990-1993
• Adjunct Professor at Central Missouri State University, 2003

Honors and Awards

• Selected for Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition, 2008
• Selected as a Finalist for Lawdragon 500 Better Than The Best, 2008
• Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2008-2010
• Selected for Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2006-2009
• Selected as "Leading Lawyer" by Chambers USA, 2006-2009
• Martindale-Hubbell® "AV" Rating
• Environmental Studies Honors Program, University of Kansas
• Order of the Coif
• Villanova Law Review, Member and Editor

Education

• Villanova University School of Law, 1985
  J.D.
  Honors: cum laude
• University of Kansas, 1982
  B.A.

Published Works

• 56 Lathrop & Gage Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America, 2009
• Chambers USA Names Lathrop & Gage a Leading Firm in Ten Practice Areas for 2009, 2009
• 52 Lathrop & Gage Attorneys Named Super Lawyers, 2008
• National Best Lawyers Roster Includes 50 Lathrop & Gage Attorneys, 2008
• Lathrop & Gage's National Chambers USA Roster Grows in 2008, 2008
• 45 Lathrop & Gage Attorneys Named Super Lawyers, 2007
• Lathrop & Gage's National Chambers USA Roster Grows in 2007, 2007
• Recent Honors for Lathrop & Gage Attorneys - Litigation Insert No. 5 - Fall 2006, 2006
• L&G Earns National Recognition for Six Practices and 13 Attorneys, 2006
• Litigation Newsletter, In-Court Report No. 4 -- Winter 2006, 2006
• Lathrop & Gage Trial Technology Focus-Litigation Insert No. 4-Winter 2006, 2006
• Litigation Newsletter, In-Court Report No. 2 -- Winter 2005, 2005
• Litigation Newsletter, In-Court Report No. 1 -- Fall 2004, 2004
• Lathrop & Gage Environmental News Update, 2004
• Lathrop & Gage Environmental News Update, 2004

Address

2345 Grand Blvd.
Suite 2800
Kansas City, MO 64108

Phones

(816) 460-5817 (Business Phone)

Faxes

(816) 292-2001 (Business Fax)

Emails

Contact Us (Business Email)

Websites

http://www.lathropgage.com/