Kelly A. Campbell
Overview
Kelly Campbell is an accomplished trial attorney and veteran who counsels her clients to make the best decisions to reach their business goals. She tries cases when her clients want to be vindicated in a court of law, and she resolves cases when her clients decide it’s the right business decision.
With a specific focus on manufacturing and transportation industries, Kelly litigates cases involving complex product liability claims, toxic tort exposure, and catastrophic workplace injuries or death. She assists her clients with forensic investigations, the results of which often vindicate her clients before a lawsuit is even filed. She also assists clients with compliance programs and policies to prevent product claims and supervises product recalls or retrofits when necessary.
In addition, Kelly pursues claims on behalf of financial institutions and asserting their creditors’ rights through courts, foreclosures, and bankruptcy. She has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of her clients. She has also defended bank officers and directors in multiple cases involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent misrepresentation, tortious interference with a business expectancy, and violations of banking regulations.
Kelly also defends companies against employment discrimination and retaliation claims. She has successfully defended multiple employers against claims of sexual harassment; discrimination on the basis of sex, race, national origin, religion, and disability; and earned dismissals of claims by motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment. She has also defended FLSA collective actions involving multiple regions, thousands of opt-in plaintiffs, and individual claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Credentials
Education
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Kansas School of Law
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
- Serves as outside counsel for manufacturer regarding its warranty programs, shifting of risk on tariffs, and compliance with changing sanctions regimes.
- Successfully represented board of directors throughout sale of $200 million real estate portfolio, effectively assisted with partnership communications, and minimized effect of minority partner litigation claims on closing of sale.
- Successfully resolved claims of tortious interference and breach of fiduciary duties brought against owners of private entity by minority partner.
- Led personal injury defense counsel for chlorine gas exposure event involving hundreds of potential claimants. Counseled client through successful public response, investigation, and prosecution, which minimized resulting litigation to less than 10 claimants.
- Secured complete dismissal of a wrongful death claim against two co-employees, upheld on appeal in first Missouri appellate court decision to reinstate “something more” requirement for co-employee liability.
- Won complete defense verdict in a jury trial alleging breach of lease and waste of property involving expert valuation testimony, upheld on appeal.
- Achieved favorable jury verdict for an insurance company following two-week trial involving executive compensation for real estate developer who claimed fraud and punitive damages.
- Obtained defense jury verdict on behalf of a window manufacturer in first mold toxic tort personal injury trial in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas.
- Coordinating counsel for manufacturers, supervise all product liability cases, investigations, expert coordination, testing, product recalls, warnings, and product manuals and instructions.
- Secured dismissal without settlement of a component parts supplier in wrongful death suit in which two surviving plaintiffs were rescued from the top of a burning smokestack under construction and one man died inside.
- Represented a component parts manufacturer in pre-lawsuit investigation into cause of crane accident resulting in death; convinced plaintiff’s counsel not to sue client in wrongful death case filed because client bore no responsibility.
- Supervised defense of a wrongful death mining accident case against manufacturer, secured favorable MHSA report exonerating client.
- Secured dismissal without settlement of a trucking parts manufacturer against lawsuit involving head injuries resulting in quadriplegia.
- Secured extremely favorable settlement through aggressive defense strategy in a crane accident case involving leg amputation.
- Successfully obtained dismissal without payment of a component parts supplier in Texas wrongful death lawsuit in which worker was crushed in sand line drum on oil derrick.
- Secured early favorable resolution pre-lawsuit of claims by the family of 26-year-old construction worker killed in crane accident.
- Supervised international investigation and coordinated legal strategy on forum non conveniens motion to dismiss Texas wrongful death case involving three Mexican oil platform employees.
- U.S.S. Harry S Truman (CVN-75) Foundation, Board Member and Corporate Secretary, 2016-present
- The Symphony League of Kansas City, 2016-present
- Government Affairs Chair, 2018, 2024-present
- Membership Co-Chair, 2020
- University of Kansas School of Law, Board of Governors, 2008-2011
- Nelson Atkins Business Council
- Navy Commendation Medal, Two Stars
- Navy Achievement Medal
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
- President’s Award, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation, 2024
- American Bar Association
- Missouri Bar Association
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation
- Board Member, 2021-present
- Military Matters Committee, Vice Chair, 2022-2024; Chair, 2024-present
- Sedona Conference, Working Groups Member
- WG11: Data Security and Privacy Liability
- WG6: International Electronic Information Management, Discovery, and Disclosure
- WG1: Electronic Document Retention and Production
- Spencer Fane Contingency Committee, Chair, 2024-present
- Spencer Fane Fee Committee, 2017-2024
- Spencer Fane Professional Responsibility Committee (Ethics), 2013-present