James Sullivan

Partner

Kansas City

t:816.460.0204

f:816.842.8767

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Jim Sullivan devotes his practice to defending employers against claims that could significantly impact their businesses. He focuses his practice on the defense and trial of a wide variety of employment claims, including:

Discrimination claims
Wrongful termination claims
Fair Labor Standards Act and other wage claims
Restrictive covenant and trade secrets claims
Transportation worker issues
Employment Contract Disputes

Jim has also successfully represented employers in state and federal courts across the nation, defeating attempts to certify employment claims as class or collective actions. In addition to large complex litigation, he has successfully tried claims alleging sexual harassment, race discrimination, age discrimination, and breach of employment agreements, including restrictive covenant issues.

Experience

Successfully defended large community-based hospital against claims by former senior executive who claimed age and gender discrimination in regard to her termination and compensation. The case was tried in the Circuit Court of Buchannan County, Missouri, where the jury rendered a unanimous verdict in favor of the hospital.
Defended a large interstate motor carrier against class action of over 100,000 current and former truck drivers on claims that motor carrier improperly calculated driver compensation. Trial court granted class certification but after additional discovery, the trial court entered summary judgment in favor of motor carrier and decertified the class. The judgment was affirmed on appeal.
Successfully defended wheel manufacturers against claims by a former employee of gender discrimination. The case was tried before the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, where the jury found in client's favor. The plaintiff did not appeal.
Successfully defended an interstate motor carrier against class action claims by owner-operator truck drivers who claimed that motor carrier improperly calculated driver compensation and violated FMCSA truth-in-leasing regulations. Trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and granted summary judgment on all of plaintiffs’ substantive claims for monetary and injunctive relief. Plaintiff appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which affirmed in total the rulings of the district court.
Defended a large interstate motor carrier against class action claims by employee truck drivers who claimed that defendant improperly calculated the drivers’ pay. The trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. Case settled favorably for client after denial of class certification.
Successfully defended a mortgage brokerage company against claims of age discrimination and retaliation, and successfully upheld trial court’s ruling before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
Co-counsel in the defense of an interstate motor carrier against claims of a proposed class of owner-operator truck drivers who claimed that motor carrier improperly calculated driver compensation and violated the FMCSA truth-in-leasing regulations. Trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. Case settled on terms favorable to client after denial of class certification.
Successfully defended the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department against claims of age and sex discrimination and retaliation, and successfully upheld the trial court’s findings before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Successfully defended a motor carrier and affiliated equipment leasing company against claims of a proposed class of owner-operator truck drivers who claimed that the motor carrier improperly calculated driver compensation and violated the FMCSA truth-in-leasing regulations. The American Arbitration Association Panel denied claimants’ motion for class certification. Case settled on terms favorable to client after denial of class certification.
Defended a motor carrier against claims by three female drivers that they were sexually harassed by their male co-drivers. Jury returned a verdict in favor of motor carrier on two of the three female drivers and returned a verdict of $70,000 for one plaintiff.
Defended an interstate motor carrier against claims of a proposed class of owner-operator truck drivers who claimed that motor carrier improperly calculated driver compensation and violated FMCSA truth-in-leasing regulations. Trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and granted summary judgment on all of plaintiffs’ substantive claims. The trial court’s rulings were successfully upheld on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Successfully defended an interstate motor carrier against claims of a proposed class of owner-operator truck drivers who claimed that they should have been classified as employees rather than independent contractors. The trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. Case settled favorably for client after denial of class certification.
Defeated a plaintiffs’ motion for class certification of current and former employees, alleging racial discrimination including hostile work environment, promotions, and retaliation.
Successfully defended a large steel manufacturer against claims of age discrimination and retaliation.
Defended a local utility company in race discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims. Jury returned a verdict for plaintiff of $45,000, where last settlement demand was $700,000.
Defended a subsidiary of major utility company against claims by former president of breach of employment contract and negligent misrepresentation. Judgment of the trial court was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Education

J.D., 1990, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
B.S., 1987, University of Kansas

Bar Admissions

Missouri

Court Admissions

Missouri Court of Appeals
Missouri Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2010-2025)
"Labor & Employment Star" recognition by Benchmark Litigation (2023)
"Local Litigation Star" recognition by Benchmark Litigation (2011-2023)
Recommended as a leading practitioner for Labor and Employment Disputes: Defense by The Legal 500 United States (2021)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Rated
Selected for inclusion in "Rising Star" by Benchmark Litigation (2009-2010)
Kansas City Tomorrow (KCT) leadership program graduate, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City
Trial Academy of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, Class of 1994
Trial Academy of the International Association of Defense Counsel, Class of 1996

Professional Activities

Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- Former Chair – Employment Law Section
Kansas City Tomorrow Class XX (Civic Council of Greater Kansas City leadership program)

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James Sullivan

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