Kansas City, Missouri, boasts a dynamic economy supported by a variety of major employers that play a crucial role in the city’s growth and development. The region’s largest employers are spread across key industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and technology, all of which contribute significantly to the local economy and shape the legal market. These industries drive demand for specialized legal services, including corporate law, healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property.
With a mix of established companies and emerging businesses, Kansas City provides legal professionals with diverse opportunities to work in a vibrant and evolving market. Whether navigating complex regulations or providing strategic legal counsel, legal professionals in Kansas City find themselves at the heart of an economy that is both diverse and robust.
Biggest Law Firms in Kansas City
- Polsinelli: Founded in 1972, Polsinelli is one of the largest law firms in the United States, with over 900 attorneys across 21 offices nationwide. The firm is an AM Law 100 firm, recognized for its expertise in healthcare, real estate, financial services, and intellectual property. Polsinelli has a strong presence in Kansas City, where it was founded, and continues to play a pivotal role in the local legal market. The firm is known for handling high-profile cases and complex transactions, offering a full range of legal services to both regional and national clients.
- Husch Blackwell: Husch Blackwell, founded in 1916, is a full-service law firm with more than 800 attorneys across 25 offices in the United States. The firm is an AM Law 100 firm, known for its work in healthcare, energy, and financial services. Husch Blackwell’s Kansas City office is one of its largest, playing a crucial role in the firm’s operations. The firm has been involved in numerous notable cases and transactions, particularly in the healthcare and energy sectors, where it provides comprehensive legal services to a diverse range of clients.
- Shook, Hardy & Bacon: Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon is a global law firm with a strong focus on litigation, particularly in the areas of product liability, intellectual property, and health sciences. The firm has over 500 attorneys, with its headquarters in Kansas City. Shook is renowned for its work representing major corporations in high-stakes litigation, including some of the largest pharmaceutical and medical device companies in the world. The firm’s litigation expertise and long-standing history make it a cornerstone of the Kansas City legal community.
- Stinson LLP: Stinson LLP, established in 1878, is a leading national law firm with more than 450 attorneys across 13 offices, including a significant presence in Kansas City. The firm is known for its strong practices in banking, real estate, and energy law, serving a broad spectrum of clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Stinson has been involved in several landmark cases and transactions, offering deep industry knowledge and legal expertise that make it a key player in the Kansas City legal market.
- Lathrop GPM: Lathrop GPM, formed from the merger of Lathrop & Gage and Gray Plant Mooty in 2020, is a full-service law firm with over 400 attorneys across 14 offices, including a major presence in Kansas City. The firm is recognized for its work in business law, intellectual property, and environmental law. Lathrop GPM has a long history in the region, dating back to its founding in 1873. The firm’s deep roots in Kansas City and its commitment to client service have made it a trusted name in the legal community.
- Spencer Fane: Founded in 1879, Spencer Fane is a regional law firm with a growing national presence, boasting over 300 attorneys across 20 offices. The firm’s Kansas City office is central to its operations, where it provides legal services in corporate law, real estate, labor and employment, and litigation. Spencer Fane is known for its client-focused approach and strong community involvement, making it a respected name in the Kansas City legal market.
- Armstrong Teasdale: Armstrong Teasdale, founded in 1901, is a full-service law firm with more than 340 attorneys across 13 offices. The firm has a strong presence in Kansas City, offering legal services in areas such as litigation, intellectual property, and labor and employment law. Armstrong Teasdale is known for its innovative approach to legal services and its commitment to client success, handling complex legal matters for a diverse range of clients from various industries.
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) is a global law firm with more than 1,400 attorneys across 30 offices worldwide, including a significant presence in Kansas City. The firm was formed from the merger of Bryan Cave and Berwin Leighton Paisner in 2018. BCLP is known for its work in real estate, corporate law, and litigation, serving a broad range of clients, from multinational corporations to emerging companies. The firm’s innovative legal solutions and global reach make it a prominent player in the Kansas City legal market.
- Ogletree Deakins: Founded in 1977, Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms in the world, with more than 900 attorneys across 53 offices, including a strong presence in Kansas City. The firm is recognized for its expertise in employment law, representing employers in matters related to workplace disputes, labor relations, and compliance. Ogletree Deakins’ Kansas City office plays a key role in the firm’s national operations, providing high-quality legal services to a diverse range of clients.
- Jackson Lewis: Jackson Lewis, established in 1958, is a leading national law firm specializing in labor and employment law, with more than 950 attorneys across 61 offices, including a significant presence in Kansas City. The firm is known for its comprehensive services in employment law, offering legal counsel on workplace policies, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Jackson Lewis has a strong reputation for its commitment to client service and its ability to navigate complex employment law issues, making it a trusted advisor to employers in the Kansas City area.
Biggest Companies Employing Lawyers
Securing a legal position with one of Kansas City’s largest employers often requires the expertise of a legal recruiter, given the competitive nature and specialized skills needed for these roles. The city’s diverse economy is supported by several major companies that employ significant numbers of legal professionals across various industries. Here are some of the most prominent companies in Kansas City that employ lawyers:
- Cerner Corporation: Founded in 1979, Cerner Corporation is a global leader in healthcare technology, providing innovative solutions to improve healthcare delivery. With over 26,000 employees worldwide, Cerner’s legal team plays a crucial role in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of healthcare, data privacy, and intellectual property. As a major employer in Kansas City, Cerner’s legal department is integral to managing contracts, compliance, and litigation in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry.
- H&R Block: H&R Block, founded in 1955 and headquartered in Kansas City, is a well-known provider of tax preparation services, employing over 80,000 people during peak tax season. The company’s legal team is involved in regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and intellectual property matters. Given the highly regulated nature of the financial services industry, H&R Block’s legal department is essential in ensuring compliance with federal and state tax laws, as well as managing legal issues related to its global operations.
- Hallmark Cards: Founded in 1910, Hallmark Cards is a household name in the greeting card and gift industry, with its headquarters in Kansas City. The company employs thousands of people globally, with a significant legal team focused on intellectual property, corporate governance, and employment law. Hallmark’s legal department is critical in protecting the company’s extensive portfolio of trademarks and copyrights, as well as managing legal matters related to its retail and manufacturing operations.
- Sprint Corporation (now part of T-Mobile US): Before its merger with T-Mobile in 2020, Sprint Corporation was a major telecommunications company headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, just outside Kansas City. The combined entity, T-Mobile US, continues to maintain a significant presence in the area, employing a large legal team that handles issues related to telecommunications law, regulatory compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. The legal department’s work is vital in navigating the complex regulatory environment of the telecommunications industry and ensuring the company’s compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Burns & McDonnell: Burns & McDonnell, founded in 1898, is a full-service engineering, architecture, and construction firm headquartered in Kansas City. With over 7,600 employees, the company’s legal team manages a wide range of issues, including contracts, environmental law, and corporate governance. As a leader in the engineering and construction industries, Burns & McDonnell’s legal department is integral in supporting large-scale infrastructure projects and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
- Garmin International: Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, Garmin International is a global leader in GPS technology and consumer electronics. The company’s legal team is involved in intellectual property protection, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. Garmin’s innovative products and global reach require a robust legal department to manage patents, trademarks, and compliance with international trade regulations.
- Kansas City Southern Railway: Kansas City Southern Railway, founded in 1887, is a major transportation company that operates a rail network spanning the central United States and Mexico. The company’s legal department is essential in handling matters related to transportation law, regulatory compliance, and international trade. As a key player in the logistics and transportation industries, Kansas City Southern’s legal team plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of its cross-border rail services.
- American Century Investments: Founded in 1958, American Century Investments is a leading asset management firm headquartered in Kansas City. The company’s legal team is responsible for managing regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and securities law issues. American Century’s focus on socially responsible investing and innovative financial products requires a legal department that is well-versed in the complexities of financial regulations and investment law.
- Black & Veatch: Black & Veatch, founded in 1915 and headquartered in Kansas City, is a global engineering, procurement, and construction company specializing in infrastructure development. The company employs a large legal team to manage contracts, environmental law, and corporate governance. Black & Veatch’s involvement in critical infrastructure projects worldwide necessitates a strong legal department to navigate complex regulatory environments and ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City: As the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City employs a significant legal team to manage healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. The company’s legal department is crucial in ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, managing relationships with providers and policyholders, and protecting the company’s interests in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.
