Overview

Don is a trial lawyer who excels at representing large clients in complex and multi-plaintiff race employment discrimination cases. He has handled many high-profile and high-damage cases in the sports, military contractor and retail industries. Don has served as lead trial counsel in all types of employment disputes in federal and state courts in New Hampshire, New York, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee including post-decertification wage and hour jury trials for major national employers. 

Don’s practice encompasses all aspects of labor law and labor relations. He has extensive experience assisting the firm's clients in responding to union organizing campaigns, negotiating and advising clients with respect to the administration of collective bargaining agreements and representing clients in grievance and arbitration proceedings.

In addition to his litigation and labor law activities, Don's daily practice revolves significantly around providing advice and counsel to C-Suite executives on whistleblower and other matters in the following business sectors: Technology, Retail, Military Contractors and Manufacturing.

Honors & Recognitions

  • Acritas Star Lawyers (2018)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law – Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2010-2022, 2024)
  • Chambers USA Guide® (2008-2012, 2014-2023)
  • Client Choice Award (2016)
  • Client Service All Star – BTI (2012-2015)
  • Kansas City's Best Lawyer, 435 Magazine (2016-2017)
  • Legal 500
  • Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished 
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® (2007-2018, 2021)
  • Missouri Top Lawyers (2016)
  • Most Influential Black Lawyers in the Country, SAVOY Magazine (2015, 2022)
  • People on the Move, Kansas City Business Journal (2017)
  • The Best Lawyers in Kansas City - Ingram's (2016)
  • Thomson Reuters "Stand-Out Lawyers™" (2023)
  • Top Attorney of the Year, International Association of Top Professionals (2016-2017)
  • Who's Who Legal Award (2016)
  • Lawyers of Distinction, ABA Journal (2019)
  • Labor and Employment Law - Law Firm of the Year - USA, Finance Monthly Legal Awards (2019)
  • Client Service All-Star, BTI (2019)
  • Trailblazer of the Year, Metropolitan Black Bar Association (2019)
  • A+ Superior Attorney Rating, The National Registry (2019)
  • Power List, Lawyers of Color (2020)
  • Lawyers of Distinction (2020)
  • Acritas Star (2020)

Professional & Civic Associations

  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
  • National Bar Association
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • The Executive Leadership Council
  • The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • Harvesters Community Food Networks, Board of Directors (2012-2017)
  • Advisory Board of National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches, Member
  • Advisory Board SafePorter LLC, Member
  • Advisory council National employment Law Council (NELC), Member

News & Analysis

Blogs, Videos & Podcasts

Videos

Practice Emphasis

  • Employee Relations Counseling
  • Union Negotiation and Arbitration

Education

Boston University School of Law

  • J.D., 1992 

Fordham University

  • B.A., 1989 

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Missouri, 1992
  • Pennsylvania, 2004
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Languages

  • French
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