Robert M. Thompson
Robert M. Thompson
Robert M. Thompson
Biography
Robert (Bob) Thompson focuses his practice in the area of complex commercial business litigation in both state and federal courts. He has been involved in many difficult and complex cases handled by the firm.
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. In addition to defending businesses, he has represented them in asserting claims, and has been lead or a key member of trial teams recovering substantial awards or settlements for clients of the Firm.
Robert joined the firm in 1990 and has served in a number of senior leadership roles with the firm. He is a member of the Food and Agribusiness Industry Group and is also a member of the firm’s Business & Commercial Disputes and Class & Derivative Actions Practice Groups.
In addition to litigation matters, he counsels a number of companies in various commercial and transaction matters, including Tillridge Global Agribusiness Partners, Auxano Holdings, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Avcorp Industries, Show Me Ethanol, LLC, several community banks and various key clients of the Firm.
Civic Involvement & Honors
- The Best Lawyers in America, "Lawyer of the Year," Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America, Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation, 2007-2025
- Missouri Lawyers POWER List in top Missouri Business Defense Attorneys
- Included in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Missouri Super Lawyers, Kansas City Business Journal's 'Best of the Bar', Missouri Lawyer Weekly, and Power List: Business Defense
- KCMBA Presidents Award
- Past Chairman, Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City
- Past Member American Royal Association Board of Directors
- Past Member Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Board of Directors
- Civil Council of Kansas City, Member
- Past Member American Royal Association Board of Directors, Executive Committee
- Missouri Institute for Justice, Past President
- Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee for the Missouri Bar, Past Member
- 50 Missourians You Should Know
- 250 Most Influential Business Leaders in Kansas City
- Mizzou 100, Member
Admissions
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Kansas, 1991
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Missouri, 1990
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United States Supreme CourtUnited States District Courts for the District of Kansas and Western District of MissouriUS Court of Appeals, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits
Education
University of Missouri-Columbia, J.D., 1989
University of Missouri-Columbia, B.S., 1982
Related Capabilities
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Business & Commercial Disputes
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Antitrust Class Actions
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Shareholder Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions
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Food, Ag & Nutrition (Class Actions)
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Energy Transition
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Financial Services
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Class Actions & Mass Torts
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Agribusiness
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Food & Beverage
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Sports (Class Actions)
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Data Privacy, Telecommunications & Collections
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Consumer Fraud
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Insurance (Class Actions)
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Class Actions
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Food & Agribusiness
Experience
- Represented Beef Councils from fourteen states in First Amendment litigation in United States District Court in Montana concerning the Beef Check Off Program.
- Represented the University of Missouri in litigation regarding the right of the University to regulate the possession of guns on campus.
- Represented the Office of the Governor of the State of Missouri in Sunshine litigation.
- Advised a Community Bank client on potential litigation and negotiations with dissident shareholders.
- Advised public company in proxy fight with major shareholder.
- Represents major packing company in class action case alleging deceptive product labeling.
- Avcorp Industries, Inc. v. Cessna Aircraft Company. Won a $27.3 million award for Avcorp after a two week arbitration, representing a significant victory against Cessna Aircraft in connection with a dispute over the terminating of a long term manufacturing agent between the two companies. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Resources
Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, KCMBA Bench Bar Conference Tips from Experts: Navigating the Pros and Cons of Arbitration
Related Insights
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