There are many different fields of law for the same reason that there are different fields of medicine. The practice of construction law requires specific knowledge of the building industry and the rights and responsibilities of each party on a project. Kansas City presents a unique challenge: Because the city spans the border between two states, contractors need to understand and follow two different sets of construction laws. Whether you’re trying to enforce a mechanics lien or negotiate a contract, you need legal advice from someone who knows the industry – and the intricacies of local law.
Below, we’ve taken the guesswork out of it and compiled a list of the best construction lawyers in Kansas City and the surrounding area.
Top Kansas City construction lawyers
To help you get a feel for the legal talent in Kansas City, we selected our lawyers based on the following criteria:
- Their primary practice is construction law
- They’re members of the Kansas City Bar Association or other related associations
- They routinely work in Kansas City
- They’re construction law thought leaders
- They’re active on the Levelset Expert Center
Jeffery A. Kennard
Jeffery Kennard is a shareholder at Scharnhorst Ast Kennard Griffin, where he chairs the Construction and Design Practice Group. As the group chair, he focuses his practice on construction dispute resolution. He also represents his clients in a broad spectrum of construction-related matters. His clients typically include contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, designers, and owners.
Jeff is a member of several construction-related professional groups, including the Forum on the Construction Industry of the ABA and the Construction Law Section of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (co-founder and former president).
Jeff has also received multiple recognitions for his construction law expertise, including:
- Best Lawyers in America in the area of Construction Law
- Construction Lawyers Society of America (Fellow)
- Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney by Super Lawyers
- American Bar Foundation (Fellow)
- AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Jeff earned his J.D. from the University of Kansas in 1994.
Jake Doleshal
Jake Doleshal is an attorney at Troppito Miller Griffin, a Kansas City law firm that specializes in construction litigation. Jake himself specializes in construction litigation, lien and bond claims, and personal injury and worker’s compensation claims. Jake received his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2000 and his B.S. from William Jewell College in 1997. He has extensive litigation experience and represents clients of all sizes and disciplines.
Jake is a Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jake takes an active role in the construction community by frequently speaking at legal education seminars on commercial litigation and construction law. He’s also a member of Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the president of Jackson County Law Library.
Scott C. Long
Scott Long is a member at Long & Robinson. His concentration is construction litigation. He got his J.D. from the University of Kansas in 1991 and his B.S. from the same institution in 1988.
In his career, Scott has litigated a large number of cases dealing with:
- Commercial cost recovery
- Bonding
- Construction
- Homeowners associations
- Various business disputes
He’s been recognized as one of the best construction attorneys in Kansas City on several occasions. The Kansas City Business Journal hailed him as one of the “Best of the Bar,” he’s distinguished as a Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney by Super Lawyers, he’s been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, and he’s earned an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
On top of that, he’s a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and holds a Barrister, Order of Maximus distinction.
Rick Davis
Rick Davis is a construction lawyer at Levy Craig law firm. Contractors and commercial developers choose Rick because he’s deeply committed to real estate and the industries, careers, and livelihoods it supports.
He’s an associate fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, a fellow of the American Bar Association, retains the Client Champion Award, and has earned an AV Rating from Martindale Hubbell.
Along with that, he’s a member of the ABA, the Kansas Bar Association, and the National Association of Realtors.
His other professional activities involve giving lectures and presentations on all things construction and real estate.
Rick got his J.D. from Washburn University in 2012.
Stephen R. Miller
Stephen Miller is a member at Miller Schirger. Steve’s primary focus is construction law, but also handles areas such as general business, labor, employment, and real estate, among others. He earned his J.D. from Notre Dame in 1983, his M.A. in 1989, and his B.A. in 1980 from the same institution.
Steve’s construction industry-related services include legal accountancy and malpractice, products liability, and personal injury.
His professional affiliations include:
- The Forum on the Construction Industry
- The Construction Law Committee of the Missouri Bar Association
- The Construction Law Committee of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- The Construction Lawyers Society of America
Additionally, he’s been recognized as “Best of the Bar” by the Kansas City Business Journal, is in America’s Top 100 Attorneys (lifetime achievement award), is a Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney, and holds an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Diane Hastings Lewis
Diane Lewis is an attorney at Brown & Ruprecht who specializes in construction and surety law. She serves her clients to resolve many construction-related issues and disputes, including:
- Contract review and negotiation
- Contract litigation
- Mechanics liens
- Surety and fidelity bond claims
- Labor issues
She’s a Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney, and she was selected to Rising Stars from 2013-2019. Her professional affiliations include the ABA, the Defense Research Institute, the Kansas Bar Association, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Surety Claims Institute, and the Missouri Bar.
Outside of her practice, she gives seminars and lectures having to do with surety and construction topics.
Diane graduated with her J.D. from the University of Nebraska, and she got her B.S. from the same institution.
Molly B. Westering
Molly Westering is an experienced civil litigator at Gates Westering. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law.
In her practice, she’s focussed on helping contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers with construction issues like:
- Drafting contracts
- Navigating building codes
- Overcoming insurance coverage issues
Along with that, she handles many personal injury, property damage, and contract dispute cases.
Molly is a Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney according to Super Lawyers, and she’s been selected to Rising Stars from 2009-2016. She’s a member of the Missouri Bar, the Kansas Bar Association, the KCMBA, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and the Johnson County Bar Association.
Lee B. Brumitt
Lee Brumitt is a shareholder and director at Dysart Taylor, where he focuses his expertise on protecting and representing his clients as well as helping them grow. He’s a construction litigation expert, and his experience lies in helping contractors, subs, suppliers, and design professionals navigate the legal challenges specific to the construction industry. Some of his most common cases include disputes like:
- Payment disputes
- Defective work
- Injuries
- Contract terms
- Insurance coverage
- Property damage claims
- Mechanics liens
Lee is a member of the Construction Law Committee of the KCMBA, the American Subcontractors Association, a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, the Missouri Bar, and other comparable organizations.
Additionally, he’s a Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney, has an AV Rating from Martindal-Hubbell, and was selected in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Lawyers List” in 2016.
Lee earned his J.D. from Drake University in 1983.
Christopher Hillman
Christopher Hillman is a partner at Baty Otto & Coronado. Chris earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law., and practices commercial law and construction litigation. In the construction arena, he represents both businesses and individuals in cases involving:
- Design defect
- Premises liability
- Contract disputes
- Insurance coverage
- Fraud
- Misrepresentation
- Torts
Chris is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, the Kansas Bar Association, and the Construction Law Committee of the KCMBA. In addition to that, Chris routinely speaks and lectures and continuing legal education seminars on construction topics.
Andy DeMarea
Andy DeMarea is a trial lawyer at Kenner Nygaard DeMarea Kendall, a Kansas City based law firm with a construction litigation department. Andy’s focus is primarily on personal injury, business losses, and construction problems. With his engineering background, construction law and liability claims were a natural fit. He represents his clients in matters, such as:
- Payment claims
- Mechanics lien issues
- Defect claims
- Delay claims
- Design claims
Andy is a Board Member of the Federal Courts Advocacy Section, member of the Construction Practice Section of the KCMBA, past president of the Johnson County Bar Foundation, the Johnson County Bar Association, the past president of the Construction Section of the Kansas Bar Association, and the Missouri Bar.
Andy is a Top Rated Lawyer in Kansas City. He got his B.S. from Kansas State University in 1990 and graduated from the Kansas State Law School in 1993.
Construction attorneys protect contractors in multiple ways
Construction lawyers understand the disputes that can arise from each stage of any given project, and trust us—there are many. Any given construction attorney has a hatful of specialties that can be applied to just about any situation. For example, some construction lawyers are experts in contract law, some are well versed in negligence and torts, some work in licensing, others handle lawsuits and liens, and some specialize in violations of Prompt Payment or other legislation.
No matter what kind of dispute you’re facing, there’s a construction lawyer in Kansas City who can help you out.
Have legal Questions? Get payment help from local lawyers
As you can see, Kansas City is brimming with legal talent. Construction lawyers are helping contractors in Kansas and Missouri with almost every legal aspect of their businesses every day.
If you have a specific legal question about your payment rights, contract language, or resolving a construction dispute in Kansas City, post it in the Q&A section of the Levelset Community to get free help from a construction attorney near you. Feel free to browse the questions, answers, and if you’re working on the Missouri side, helpful payment advice from local Missouri attorneys and payment professionals.