Wes Shumate
Wes was raised in Union City, Tennessee, and he obtained his undergraduate degree at Murray State University, where he was a member of the Racer football team for all four years of his eligibility. It was the opportunity to study law at the University of Missouri at Kansas City and work as a law clerk for DBJ that originally drew Wes to Kansas City. After spending his first few years of practice near his hometown in West Tennessee, Shumate came back to work with the attorneys at DBJ because he admired their work ethic and passion for the cases they took on for individuals.
Wes has tried many cases to juries on behalf of injured clients in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Iowa, and the one common thread he has found is that great cases are made by great clients.
Wes has won a lot of big cases for his clients as a trial lawyer with DBJ. Wes’s ability to craft persuasive legal arguments, communicate with lawyers, judges, and juries, and effectively navigate the American civil justice system is impressive. Although he has very diverse practice area ability, Wes has particular expertise in cases involving sexual assault, tractor-trailer accidents, litigation from automobile crashes, insurance bad faith actions, and product liability actions. Wes also has a considerable amount of experience trying Federal Employee Liability Action (FELA) cases on behalf of railroad workers who have been injured on the job and families of those who have been killed due to the actions or inactions of others.
From the early days of his legal education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Wes knew he wanted to focus his career on representing individuals and families in civil matters. The ability to help people in dire need drew him into the field, as did the opportunity to have results he earned for those who have been injured, make a difference, and create change to protect others from similar harm.
If Wes is not at work, fighting for his clients, you’ll likely find him with his wife, Erin, at a youth sports event with one or all of their three kids.
Wes is active in the legal community as a member of the Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee bar associations, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Kansas Association for Justice, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. Wes is a graduate of the KCMBA Leadership Academy and holds leadership positions within multiple associations.
Wes has received many legal peer community awards, including being: AV “Preeminent” Peer Rated through Martindale Hubbell; has been named Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association; Best of the Bar as named by the Kansas City Business Journal; and earning Super Lawyer and Rising Star recognition by Thomson Reuters publications. In 2017, Wes was honored by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association when he was presented with the Thomas J. Conway Award, which is awarded each year to the KCMBA member who exemplifies two traits of the late Tom Conway—outstanding trial skills and the ability to be a fierce advocate, while simultaneously a good friend to opposing counsel.
From the early days during his legal education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Wes knew he wanted to practice plaintiffs injury law. The ability to help people in dire need drew him into the field, as did the opportunity to have results he earned for those who have been injured make a difference and create change to protect others from similar harm.
While in law school, Wes clerked with DBJ. After practicing in his native Tennessee following graduation for a few years, Wes returned to Kansas City, where his trial practice work at DBJ has been exemplary.
Although Wes’ legal success in the courtroom is remarkable, for those who know Wes on a daily basis, it is his down-to-earth approach and easy-going manner — his ability to communicate so well — that make him such a great asset to his clients. His combination of professional tenacity and deft personal touch make for a powerful combination and have no doubt contributed to Wes’ success on behalf of his clients.
Martindale Hubbell – AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
National Trial Lawyers Association:
— Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40
— Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Thomson Reuters – Super Lawyers and Rising Star Recognition
Kansas City Business Journal – Best of the Bar
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association:
— KCMBA Thomas J. Conway Award
— Bar Leadership Academy Graduate
— Civil Court Committee Co-Chair
Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance (LEAP) – Board of Directors