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Assistant
Linda Rittenhouse
(816) 460-5540

2345 Grand Blvd.
Suite 2800
Kansas City, MO 64108

Practices
Intellectual Property
Business Litigation

Industries
Media

Additional Information
Publications
Professional Affiliations
Honors


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Bernard J. Rhodes

Experience
More than 20 years experience litigating complex business and commercial disputes throughout the United States. Includes extensive jury trial practice, appellate practice and, more recently, alternative dispute resolution. Wide-ranging experience in all phases of media law and communications law for print, broadcast, cable and media throughout Midwest.

COMPLEX COMMERCIAL
  • Won $4.12 million jury verdict in test case as part of multi-party franchise dispute with national tax preparation firm; eventually collected $270 million on behalf of 16 clients;
  • Collected $4.5 million jury verdict for national candy manufacturer for loss of customer goodwill and related damage to registered trademarks;
  • Obtained jury verdict on behalf of owners of a $12 million business jet allowing them to return the plane to the manufacturer due to electrical defects;
  • Recovered $1.7 million from national health insurance company in ERISA lawsuit brought on behalf of local non-profit research corporation;
  • Won $1.3 million arbitration award for client in breach of contract and fraud case resulting from failed acquisition of business;
  • Obtained $1 million jury verdict on behalf of national manufacturer against customer for damages caused by "bust-out" scheme;
  • Conducted wide-ranging internal corporate investigation on behalf of major public corporation into alleged obstruction of justice; successfully handled federal grand jury investigation into matter;
  • Successfully defended big three automaker against claim of "covering up" alleged product defect in lawsuit brought by two so-called "whistle-blowers";
  • Successfully represented a major defense contractor in a jury trial against a competitor. Our client filed a counterclaim seeking to have the competitor's trademark registration cancelled. The jury ruled in favor of our client. The trial court also denied the competitor's motion asking the court to stop our client from selling the product;

MEDIA
  • Obtained dismissal of copyright infringement lawsuit brought against national television network by two brothers who claimed the network stole the idea for a popular television drama series from their unpublished manuscript;
  • Successfully defended local television station in lawsuit resulting from undercover "sting" operation conducted by station;
  • Won defense jury verdict in defamation action brought by school principal against local television station over false broadcast;
  • Obtained reversal of prior restraint order against local television station prohibiting broadcast of internet sex predator investigation;
  • Won summary judgment for national documentary producer in defamation case brought by local business owner over broadcast of footage showing anti-drug protest;
  • Achieved dismissal of false light action resulting from broadcast of wrong mug shot;
  • Obtained Kansas Supreme Court ruling allowing media outlets to object to closure of proceeding in high-profile murder trial;
  • Obtained summary judgment in defamation/false light action by dentist over broadcast concerning allegation that dentist violated Kansas Dental Act.

Education
  • Fordham University, J.D., 1981
  • University of Missouri - Kansas City, B.A., with honors, 1978
Admissions
  • Kansas, 1992
  • Missouri, 1984
  • New York, 1982
Honors
  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2003 - 2009
  • Selected for Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005, 2006 and 2007
  • Selected for Best Attorneys Network Directory, 2005
  • Martindale-Hubbell® "AV" Rating




Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee future results. Every case is different and should be judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.

Lathrop & Gage L.C., 2345 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64108