Partner

I learned about insurance claims long before coming to Taylor Stafford. My father, Cecil Harris, was a claims adjuster in Central Missouri for Federated Insurance for 29 years. He taught me a great deal about handling claims before I ever went to law school. When I was in high school and college I would help him investigate losses from time to time. I still draw on that experience today in my insurance defense practice, and I think that it helps me understand insurance defense litigation.

I also draw upon my undergraduate education in accounting to assist me in business litigation. My business education gives me the ability to understand the complex business and financial issues that can arise in business litigation. It also allows me to better understand the needs of my business and corporate clients concerning the day to day operation of their businesses and advise them accordingly.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your legal needs.

Areas of Practice

• Insurance Defense
• Business Litigation
• Construction Litigation
• Product Liability Defense
• Trucking Defense

Litigation Percentage

      80% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Missouri, 1992
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1992
• U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 1992

Education

• University of Missouri Columbia School of Law, Columbia, Missouri
  • J.D. - 1992
  • Honors: R. Jack Garrett & R. David Ray Trial Advocacy Award
• Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO
  • Accounting - 1989
  • Honors: summa cum laude
  • Honors: Who's Who at CMSU

Representative Cases

• State ex rel Springfield Underground Inc. v. Sweeney, 102 S.W. 3d 7, 2003, MO
• Craftsmen Limousine Inc. v. Ford Motor Co. et. al., 363 F3d 761, 2004, 8th Circuit

Representative Clients

• DaBryan Coach Builders
• Springfield Underground

Professional Associations and Memberships

• DRI
• Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers

Fraternities/Sororities

• Delta Sigma Pi