Matthew Gist

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SuperLawyers Rising Star 2009-2015

Mr. Gist specializes in the representation of employers in employment discrimination lawsuits and labor disputes. Mr. Gist has obtained defense verdicts in several jury trials in state and federal courts in multiple jurisdictions in the State of Missouri. Mr. Gist has argued several cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District. He routinely represents private companies as well as cities and counties in employment and personnel matters.

Representative Experience

Midwest Public Risk (Missouri & Kansas)
MOPERM
Traders Insurance Co.
City of Independence, Missouri
City of Blue Springs, Missouri
Platte County, Missouri
Countless other public entities across Missouri and Kansas

Jury Verdicts

Brandi Markle v. Lee’s Summit R-7 School District—Jackson County Circuit Court, Case No. 1516-CV13364 (Gender Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, and Retaliation under Missouri Human Rights Act) (Defense verdict on all claims asserted)
Jonathan Davidson v. City of Grain Valley, Missouri et al.—United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Case No. 12-CV-01241-DW (Age Discrimination and Retaliation under Missouri Human Rights Act) (Defense verdict on all claims asserted)
Marlon Brooks v. Cass County, Missouri et al.—Circuit Court of Cass County, Missouri, Case No. 11CA-CV01044-01 (Race Discrimination and Retaliation under Missouri Human Rights Act) (Defense verdict on all claims asserted)
Kevin Felton v. City of Adrian, Missouri—U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Case No. 11-CV-632-JTM (Violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ("USSERA")) (Verdict of $0 for Plaintiff)
Tonya Henze v. City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri—U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Case No. 09-0099-CV-DGK (Gender Discrimination and Retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act; Violation of the Equal Pay Act) (Defense verdict on all claims asserted)
James Beale v. City of Independence, Missouri—Jackson County Circuit Court, Case No. 0916-CV14961 (Race Discrimination and Retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act) (Defense verdict on all claims asserted)
Kelly Scott v. City of Independence, Missouri—Jackson County Circuit Court, Case No. 0816-CV04921 (Breach of Employment Contract) (Directed verdict in favor of Defendant City at close of Plaintiff's evidence)

Published Decisions

Watson v. CEVA Logistics U.S. Inc., 2010 WL 3385253 (8th Cir. 2010)
Henze v. City of Lee’s Summit, 2010 WL 2545841 (Mo. W.D. 2010)
Richey v. City of Independence, 540 F.3d 779 (8th Cir. 2008)
State ex rel. City of Blue Springs v. Nixon, 250 S.W.3d 365 (Mo. 2008)
Lindsay v. Orrick, 491 F.3d 892 (8th Cir. 2007)
Grey v. City of Oak Grove, 396 F.3d 1031 (8th Cir. 2005)
Hopkins v. City of Independence, 471 F.3d 891 (8th Cir. 2006)
Blue Moon Entertainment v. Bates City, 441 F.3d 561 (8th Cir. 2007)
Parker v. St. Joseph, 167 S.W.3d 219 (Mo. App. W.D. 2005)

In The News

Jessica Shumaker, School district fends off disability-discrimination suit, MISSOURI LAW. WKLY., July 15, 2019, at 6.
Missouri & Kansas 2015 Rising Stars, SUPER LAW. MAG., Missouri & Kansas 2015, at 54.
Missouri & Kansas 2014 Rising Stars, SUPER LAW. MAG., Missouri & Kansas 2014, at 68.
Missouri & Kansas 2013 Rising Stars, SUPER LAW. MAG., Missouri & Kansas 2013, at 68.
Missouri & Kansas 2012 Rising Stars, SUPER LAW. MAG., Missouri & Kansas 2012, at 68.
Missouri & Kansas 2011 Rising Stars, SUPER LAW. MAG., Missouri & Kansas 2011, at 68.

Education

University of Kansas, B.S (1998)
University of Kansas, J.D. (2002)

Bar Admissions

Kansas (2002)
Missouri (2003)
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (2002)
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (2004)

United States District Court for the District of Kansas (2002)

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association
The Missouri Bar
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Personal Interests/Activities

Enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Presentations

A Missouri Sheriff's Ability to Terminate Employees, Midwest Public Risk Board, March 2022
Public Employee Whistleblower Statute, Midwest Public Risk Board, March 2022
Looming Liability [for Public Entities], Lessons Learned, MPR Fall Conference September 2019
Officeholder Training on Discrimination, Harassment, FMLA, and ADA, Platte County, May 2019
Performance Reviews, NAHRO, September 2018
Harassment Prevention for Employees / Harassment Prevention for Supervisors, Mid-America Regional Council, April 2018
Officeholder Training on Discrimination, Harassment, FMLA, and ADA, Platte County, April 2017
Quarterly Supervisor Training, City of Independence, September 2017
Employment Practices Call-in Services, Midwest Public Risk, September 2016
Risk Management Training, Midwest Public Risk, December 2015
Employment Practices Update, City of Nevada, October 2015
Legal Update Post-Farrow, Midwest Public Risk, November 2013
Employment Practices Liability Mock Trial, Midwest Public Risk, September 2012