Attorney Spotlight – Bryan White
Partner Bryan White, a graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia Law School, joined White, Graham, Buckley & Carr in 2010 and has shown a track record for achieving favorable results for clients since. He has been recognized for his accomplishments by the Kansas City Business Journal as among the “Best of the Bar,” and honored as a Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyer since 2013. Bryan is driven by his deep desire to serve as an advocate for his clients and has a passion to represent the interests of others that stems from his experience working closely with individuals who have been harmed.
Bryan has expertise in employment, personal injury, medical malpractice and commercial litigation and has made his career by being a strong advocate for his clients and by providing excellent help and counsel.
Read on to learn more about Bryan in our Attorney Spotlight:
Why did you want to become an attorney?
“My father and grandfather were attorneys, so I’m sure that familiarity played a role in pulling me toward the profession. I also wanted to choose a career that had variety and excitement, and I knew that becoming an attorney would allow me the opportunity to consistently learn new things and work on many different kinds of issues and cases. Most of the time, no day is the same.“
What do you enjoy most about WGB&C?
“The people, no question. We have such a great group that it makes it extremely enjoyable. I’m the newest partner, but we also have employees and partners who have been here for well over 20 years. We have a very strong team approach and really support each other in every aspect. We all celebrate wins together, and we all suffer losses together. I love working with everyone here.”
Most significant memory or case?
“I have been lucky to be a part of several memorable moments and cases, but I suppose Templemire v. W&M Welding, Inc. is one of the most significant. Before that case, employees who were fired for making a workers’ compensation claim had basically no chance to win a retaliation lawsuit. The standard of proof was so high and as long as employers came up with some excuse for the firing other than the workers’ compensation claim, they could get off the hook. Gene Graham and I lost a trial because of the unfair standard and appealed it all the way up to the Supreme Court of Missouri. I argued to the Court asking them to change the standard and we won that appeal. The decision overturned 30 years of precedent and made new law in the State of Missouri that would benefit all future workers who were fired simply because they exercised their right to file a workers’ compensation claim after being hurt on the job.”
What is the best thing about your job?
“The best thing about my job is that it isn’t boring. It is exciting and stressful and rewarding. Being a lawyer is hard, and dealing with those challenges with your clients, helping people, seeing the satisfaction on their faces and being able to change lives is very rewarding.”
What inspires you?
“I enjoy the comfort of being prepared, getting things accomplished and succeeding in what I do, whether it be work or family. Once I heard someone say: “attack the day.” I try and think about that every morning. I do not want to finish a day feeling like I have accomplished nothing (although some days I do feel that way!)“
What is the best advice you can give an up and coming attorney?
“Surround and associate yourself with great lawyers who you enjoy being around, and then learn everything you can from every lawyer around you. Assume you know nothing and observe all the different lawyering styles you can. No matter how long you practice, you can and should always be learning. I still act (and feel) like I know nothing at times. Also, do not take yourself too seriously, relax, and do not spend too much time in the office.”
What do you do outside of the office?
“I spend a lot of time with my wife and kids and a lot of time enjoying the sports my kids play. I play golf when I am able and love Royals baseball and Mizzou football and basketball.”
