J. David Bowers

Practice Areas

• Commercial Litigation
• Financial Services
• Insurance Practice
• Labor & Employment

Experience

Mr. Bowers’ practice focuses on defense of commercial, employment, and insurance disputes. He has 30 years of experience representing defendants in cases involving employment matters, breach of contract, construction matters, misrepresentation, first and third party personal injury and property damage, premises liability, bad faith/vexatious refusal and various business torts. Mr. Bowers’ wide ranging experience includes jury and bench trials, appellate arguments, mediations, arbitrations and settlement negotiations. The clientele Mr. Bowers represents ranges from Fortune 100 companies to school districts, insurance companies and governmental agencies. He currently represents Fortune 100 companies in multidistrict litigation and local class action cases with national implications.
In addition to defending clients in federal or state courts, Mr. Bowers also represents clients before state and local human rights agencies. His employment practice also includes the development of personnel policies and procedures and handbooks for businesses. He understands the intricacies of local, state and federal employment laws and the agencies that enforce them. He takes great pride in dealing with the day-to-day operational questions posed by his clients.

Recently, Mr. Bowers successfully argued a complex insurance coverage issue on behalf of a national insurance carrier before the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. In his work through the Missouri Bar Association’s Legislative Committee Section, Mr. Bowers reviews proposed legislation and offers comments to the authors. Mr. Bowers has also drafted proposed legislation for the firm’s clients. Mr. Bowers also works with companies in the area of bankruptcy, primarily as creditors counsel, and has significant experience defending preference actions.

Bar Involvement

David Bowers is a member of the Missouri State Bar Association and is admitted to practice before federal district courts, courts of appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Bowers is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Missouri Bar Association. He is active and held offices in the Labor and Employment Committee and the Insurance Law Committee. He also takes an active role in the Legislative Review Subcommittee where he frequently comments on proposed legislation prior to its adoption by the Missouri House and Missouri Senate.

Community Involvement

Mr. Bowers volunteers for various activities associated with the American Cancer Society, such as the Relay for Life, and has worked with other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Christmas in October building and remodeling homes for the needy and elderly.

Education

• Washington University School of Law, J.D.
• Missouri State University, B.A.

Bar Admissions

• State of Missouri, 1983
• United States Supreme Court, 1999
• United States Court of Appeals
• Eighth Circuit
• Tenth Circuit
• United States District Court
• Western District of Missouri
• Eastern District of Missouri
• District of Kansas

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• The Missouri Bar
• Labor and Employment Law Section
• Education Law Section
• Civil Practice and Procedure Section
• Legislative Review Subcommittee
• Insurance Law Section
• Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
• Missouri Council of School Attorneys