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Colleen Stuart, et al. v. Topeka, Kansas, City of, et al.
Hon. Toby Crouse
2:23-cv-02021-TC
D. Kan. (Topeka, KS)
(P) – Christopher Playter & Eric S. Playter; Christie Jess & Mark A.
Jess
(D) – J. Phillip Gragson & Kara L. Eisenhut
The two plaintiffs, Ms. Stuart and Ms. Harden, are women employed by the City of Topeka, Kansas, as law enforcement officers. They sued the City and Bryan
Wheeles, the Chief of Police, in his individual capacity, alleging that the City
failed to promote them because of their sex in violation of Title VII.
Verdict: The jury found in favor of both plaintiffs. Plaintiff Colleen Stuart was awarded $200,000.00 in compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, humiliation, embarrassment, and mental anguish; $35,277.58 in back pay and benefits; and $42,593.67 in front pay and benefits – the total verdict was $277,871.25. Plaintiff Jana Harden was awarded $200,000.00 in compensatory damages; $11,059.20 in back pay and benefits; and $0 in front pay and benefits – the total verdict was $211,059.20. The total combined verdict was $488,930.45.
Parties:
Judge:
Case No.:
Location:
Attorneys:
JTammy Cranmer v. Cordell & Cordell, P.C.
Hon. Toby Crouse
6:23-cv-01066-TC
D. Kan. (Wichita, KS)
(P) Diane H. Sorensen & Benjamin K. Carmichael
(D) Kathryn J. Starrett Rickley & Mitchell E. Wood
Plaintiff was previously employed as a paralegal with Cordell & Cordell in the law firm’s Wichita office and brought suit against her former employer, arguing her employment was terminated in retaliation for her protected activity under Title VII, Section 2000e-3(a) and the ADA.
Verdict: The jury found in favor of the defendant.
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Summer D. Guerrero v. Shelter Mutual Insurance Co.
Hon. Eric F. Melgren
2:23-cv-02072-EFM
D. Kan. (KC, KS)
(P) – Jeff Wilson & Patrick Turner
(D) – Richard Billings
This was an automobile negligence, underinsured motorist (UIM) case in which both comparative fault and extent of damages were contested by the defendant-insurer.
Verdict: The jury found in favor of the plaintiff. The jury found the underlying, underinsured tortfeasor was 100% at fault. The jury awarded $160,000 in medical expenses to date; $180,000 in noneconomic loss to date; and $420,000 in future noneconomic loss to date. The total verdict was $760,000.
Parties:
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Jill Nation v. Thomas E. Moore, DDS, et al.
M. Douglas Harpool
22-5063-cv-SW-MDH
WDMO (Springfield, MO)
(P) – Scott Ast & Paula Brown
(D) – Brian Burge & Ryan Niehaus; B.K. Christopher & Robert
Givensgly
This was a case against Dr. Moore for orthodontic malpractice. Plaintiff alleged that after losing a front tooth in a softball accident at age 15, she underwent a long course of treatment with Dr. Moore which altered her bite, teeth, jaw and skull, causing pain, distortion and disfunction.
Verdict: The jury found in favor of the defendant.
DID YOU KNOW?
The U.S. District Judges in the Western District of Missouri are based in the following courthouses: Chief Judge Beth Phillips: Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse – KC, MO; Judge David Gregory Kays: Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse – KC, MO; Judge Brian C. Wimes: Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse – KC, MO; Judge M. Douglas Harpool: United States Courthouse – Springfield, MO; Judge Stephen R. Bough: Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse – KC, MO; Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark: Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse – KC, MO. Senior Judges Howard F. Sachs, Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., and Gary A. Fenner are all based at the Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse in KC, MO, as well. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. is based in Jefferson City, MO at the Christopher S. Bond Courthouse. Magistrate Judges David P. Rush and James C. England are based at the U.S. Courthouse in Springfield, MO. The remaining Magistrate Judges – Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts, Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris, Magistrate Judge W. Brian Gaddy, Magistrate Judge Robert E. Larsen, Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer and Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays – are all based at the Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse in KC, MO.
FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION CHAPTER FOR THE DISTRICTS OF KANSAS & WESTERN MISSOURI
– OFFICERS FOR 2024-2025 –
President:
President-Elect:
Vice-President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Immediate Past President:
National Delegate:
Blake Shuart
Magistrate Judge Gwynne Birzer
Eric Turner
Danielle Atchison
Robert Calbi
Magistrate Judge Lajuana Counts
Magistrate Judge Lajuana Counts
NOTE: The Federal Bar Association Chapter for the Districts of Kansas and Western Missouri retains sole and complete responsibility for the content of this publication. For questions or comments about this publication, contact Blake Shuart via e-mail at Blake.Shuart@huttonlaw.com.
