Robert (Bob) Thompson focuses his practice in the area of complex commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. He has been involved in many difficult and complex cases handled by the firm. In recent years, Mr. Thompson has handled a number of consumer class actions in state and federal courts throughout the United States. These cases have involved enforcement actions by state attorneys general, as well as related civil actions seeking to certify nationwide class claims, and MDL proceedings.

He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes involving claims ranging from breach of contract to fraud and anti-trust, often involving agribusiness interests. He has also handled commercial litigation associated with major bankruptcy cases.

Mr. Thompson joined the firm in 1990 and is Managing Partner of the Kansas City office. He is also a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Class Action Client Service Groups. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, he was a member of the Missouri Law Review and the Journal for Dispute Resolution.

In addition to litigation matters, he counsels a number of companies in various commercial and transaction matters, including Prairie Pride, Inc., Show Me Ethanol, LLC, MGP Ingredients, Wind Capital Group, and various other businesses.

Select Representations

• Avcorp Industries, Inc. v. Cessna Aircraft Company, Arbitration Case No. 50 132T0036611, American Arbitration Association;
• In re Bisphenol-A (BPA) Polycarbonate Plastic Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1967, Master Case No. 4:08-1067-MD-W-ODS, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri;
• Janson, et al. v. Legalzoom.com, Inc., Case No. 2:10-CV-04018-NKL, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri;
• John and Donna Williams, et al. v. JPMorgan Chase & Co., et al., Case No. 0516-CV23650, Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri;
• Khaliki, et al. v. Helzberg’s Diamond Shops, Inc., Case No. 4:11-CV-00010-NKL, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri;
• Patricia Aspenleiter v. ViraCor LLC, et al., Case No. 0716-cv-19207, Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri. Represented Plaintiff Patricia Aspenleiter. The jury awarded a $7.3M verdict after two weeks of trial;
• Deadra D. Cummins, et al. v. H&R Block, Inc., et al., Case No. 03-C-134, Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia;
• The People of the State of California v. H&R Block, Inc., et al ., Case No. 06-449461, Superior Court of the State of California, City and County of San Francisco;
• In re H&R Block, Inc., Express Marketing Litigation, MDL Case No. 1786, Master Case No. 06-1786-MD-RED, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri;
• Lorie J. Marshall, et al, v. H&R Block Tax Services, Inc., Case No. 08-591-MRJ, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Class was de-certified after five years of litigation;
• In re H&R Block Securities Litigation, Case No. 06-0236-CV-W-ODS, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Bar and Court Admissions

Missouri, 1990

Kansas, 1991

United States District Courts for the District of Kansas and Western District of Missouri

Education

University of Missouri-Columbia, J.D., 1989

University of Missouri-Columbia, B.S., 1982

Civic Involvement and Honors

• Included in all recent editions of Best Lawyers in America, Missouri Super Lawyers, and Best of the Bar - Kansas City
• President, Missouri Institute for Justice
• Member, Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee for the Missouri Bar
• Member, Mizzou 100