Davis, Bethune & Jones, L.L.C.

Attorney Grant L. Davis

During his career, Grant L. Davis has represented people who have been harmed by negligent or intentional acts.  He feels a calling to fight for his client’s rights and obtain justice.  Grant chose plaintiffs law because it gave him the opportunity to fight for those who had been harmed by wrong doers.  He found people were often coming to him in their darkest hour, and being able to help his clients gave meaning to his practice of law.

Grant is best known for his track record of winning large jury verdicts.  Over time his record of obtaining significant jury verdicts has caused defendants to propose larger settlement offers for his clients before trial.

Grant met Scott S. Bethune and Tom C. Jones while in law school.  The three formed a solid friendship and worked together for many years before establishing DBJ in 2001.  If Grant isn’t busy in the courtroom, you can find him with his family or giving back in the community.

Grant L. Davis has developed a remarkable track record of success in his legal career.  In spending time with him, however, it’s not difficult to see how he achieves such stellar results. Grant believes in his clients and works very hard.  Whether representing the families of victims of physical injury or death due to defective products, train or plane accidents, tractor-trailer crashes or medical negligence, Grant can be counted on to turn over each stone, track down every lead, interview each witness and identify all evidence that will lead to the best possible result for his client.

Grant has obtained billions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements.  Defendants and insurance companies know that Grant will go to trial and obtain the best possible results.  Grant’s success in injury and death cases may be unparalleled.

In addition to these injury-case results, his ability to win in high-stakes business and farming-related disputes is also noteworthy.  DBJ has represented farmers throughout the country.  Grant has taken on cases against some of the world’s largest agricultural companies, including Bayer Cropsciences and Archer-Daniels-Midland Company.  Grant has helped other clients in business settings, including representing two dedicated medical scientists who had their company stolen from them.  No matter what the circumstances, Grant will fight hard to obtain justice for his clients.

Attorney Scott S. Bethune

As a founding member of Davis, Bethune & Jones, Scott S. Bethune feels the mission of DBJ is to help people at their lowest point. “Clients come to us in their greatest need, and it’s our job to help them find resolution,” says Bethune.

Bethune studied at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he wanted to be an FBI agent until he fell in love with the law. He went on earn his law degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, graduating 1988.

During law school, Bethune clerked at a plaintiffs firm and focused on trial work. He saw how litigation could help families find the closure they need in a desperate situation.

Bethune came together with Davis and Jones in 2001 to form DBJ. To this day, the three men are friends first and partners second. They collaborate across cases, delivering their clients a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Scott S. Bethune is a founding member of DBJ.  Scott and DBJ concentrate their trial practice in the areas of product liability, FELA, railroad crossing litigation, automobile/tractor-trailer litigation, professional negligence, mass tort litigation and representing farmers and other companies who have been financially wronged by other corporations.

Scott’s success can be attributed in large part to his legal acumen, hard work, trial skills and perhaps most importantly, his ability to communicate easily and effectively with clients, other lawyers, judges and juries.

He has won numerous professional awards, including regularly being named to The Best Lawyers of America in the categories of Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, and Medical Malpractice Law, has been recognized in the Kansas City Business Journal as “Best of the Bar” by his peers and is included as a “Super Lawyer” by the Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyer Magazine.  Scott has been inducted as a member of The American Board of Trial Advocates, where he is a Past-President of the Western Missouri/Eastern Kansas Chapter.  He has also served as Commissioner for the 16th Circuit Judicial Commission and is now currently serving on Missouri’s  Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission.  In addition, Scott was President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association in 2015. Scott is a member of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Foundation, currently serving as President of the Board.

However, what excites Scott the most about the success he and DBJ have achieved is not the personal accolades he’s received.  The best part of Scott’s practice is knowing he has made a difference in the lives of those he has represented and those he has been able to help through his and the firm’s giving back to both the legal community and charities throughout Kansas City and the region.  With each legal win Scott knows he has done his part to help a family in need start to put the pieces back together from a personal tragedy.  With each contribution to a charity and hour spent volunteering for a cause, Scott and his DBJ peers know they are doing the right thing to promote living well and supporting those organizations who can further help those in need.

Attorney Thomas C. Jones

Coming from a family of lawyers, Tom Jones came by his love of the law honestly. But it was his desire to help people undergoing their biggest life challenges that focused his direction to plaintiffs law.

Tom graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 1985 before attending law school at the University of Missouri – Kansas City and graduating in 1988.

Tom concentrated his practice on railroad-related ligation and in 1997 he won the largest railroad case settlement in the country for its time. This innovated case approach became a launchpad for this kind of litigation, setting a precedent for cases going forward and focusing Tom’s career more acutely on railroad injury work.

In 2001, Jones founded DBJ with his partners Scott S. Bethune and Grant Davis. The three men share a strong friendship and even stronger work philosophy: to fight tirelessly for each and every client and help people who need them.

Though not exclusive to railroad litigation, Tom has concentrated much of his practice on fighting the rail industry’s titans on issues of public safety. He regularly speaks and teaches other lawyers nationally on trial issues related to rail litigation. He and DBJ receive calls from lawyers across the country wanting to gain knowledge about “train” cases, and are often sought to co-counsel on cases.

Having Kansas City, the nation’s second largest rail hub, as home, Tom has the knowledge and experience, and together with the firm, has resources to regularly take on the largest railroads in the U.S.  Tom regularly litigates cases against all of the major Class 1 railroads (Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and Canadian National) in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia, Missouri, Kansas and other states. Cases against the U.S. rail industry are fraught with complex legal issues, are against highly organized and well-financed adversaries and require a great amount of expertise to even have a chance of success. The rail industry has affirmatively chosen to pay its lawyers to fight in a scorched-earth manner instead of doing the simple things for public safety like:

• Putting flashing lights/automatic gates signal systems at its crossings that need them;
• Sounding a proper horn always and without fail;
• Removing trees, vegetation that block the view of oncoming trains; and
• Maintaining its tracks and operating its trains at safe speeds so as to avoid derailments

Tom gained acclaim for trying a nationally renown case to jury verdict that resulted in the largest grade-crossing collision verdict in American trial history, $160,000,000. This verdict helped change how the railroad industry looks at its most dangerous crossings.

Attorney Wes Shumate

Growing up in Union City, Tennessee, and playing football at Murray State University, Shumate considers himself a Southern boy. It was the opportunity to study law at the University of Missouri at Kansas City and work as a law clerk for DBJ that drew Wes to Kansas City.  After spending his first few years of practice near his hometown in West Tennessee, Shumate came to work with the attorneys at DBJ because he admired their work ethic and passion for the cases they took on for individuals.  Wes also saw a chance to enact change, and he liked the opportunity to help people find resolution during trying times.

Wes has recently tried several cases to juries in rural Missouri, Kansas City, Independence and in Iowa, and the one common thread he has found is that great cases are made by great clients.

When juries are allowed to see the truth, they are able to find justice for injured persons.

Wes Shumate has won a lot of big cases for his clients as a trial lawyer with DBJ.  Wes’ 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 Federal Employee Liability Action (FELA) cases, tractor-trailer accidents, railroad crossing injuries, litigation from automobile crashes and product liability actions.

From early days during his legal education at the University of Missouri – 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.

Wes is active in the legal community as a member of the Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee bar associations, 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; named a Top 40 Trial Lawyer Under 40 and 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.

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 for 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.

Attorney John S. Carroll

John always wanted to be a lawyer who represents members of the community.

John grew up in Sedalia, Missouri. His father and grandfather were both lawyers and graduates of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. In 2013, John graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, with a degree in Political Science. John attended law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, obtaining his law degree in 2016. While in law school, John was on the Dean’s List, a member of the UMKC All Journal Staff, and served as a Research Editor for UMKC Law Review. In his first year of law school, John was awarded Outstanding Client Counselor. During law school, John’s writing was published in the UMKC Law Review and The Missouri Trial Attorney.

John was hired as a law clerk at DBJ following his first year of law school. After clerking at DBJ throughout law school, John had no doubt in his mind that he wanted to represent people in the community. After passing the bar, John was hired by DBJ as an Associate.

Representing people and making a difference in their lives is what John loves most about his job. Working at DBJ has taught John that with hard work, perseverance, and teamwork, a lawyer can make a positive impact on the lives of their clients and the community.

After growing up in Sedalia, Missouri, John majored in Political Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated in 2013. At Mizzou, John was a member of the Zeta Phi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, serving on the Executive Board for two years. During college, John clerked at a law firm that focused on trial work. After graduating from Mizzou in 2013, John attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, earning his law degree in 2016. During law school, John was a Research Editor for UMKC Law Review. John’s work has been published in the UMKC Law Review and The Missouri Trial Attorney.

Following his first year of law school, John was hired by DBJ as a law clerk. After successfully passing the bar, John joined the firm as an Associate.

John focuses his practice on representing people and families who have been harmed by others in personal injury, railroad litigation (crossing accidents and FELA cases), product liability, auto accidents, tractor-trailer litigation, medical malpractice, and class action work.

Attorney Ted Ruzicka

Ted is driven by his passion for using the law to help level the playing field so those that have been marginalized and hurt by large corporations can seek justice. Ted’s practice is dedicated to helping his clients hold wrongdoers accountable. Ted takes personal pride in working up all facets of litigation – legal research, briefing, expert discovery, to trial.

Having grown up in a family of lawyers, Ted developed his presentation of oral argument skills at an early age. This trait carried over into law school, where he was awarded to the Order of Barristers – an award honoring the top graduates demonstrating outstanding ability in the preparation and presentation of oral argument.

Ted’s trial skills have allowed him to achieve great successes for his clients. Ted has tried numerous jury trials and bench trials in both State and Federal Courts. Ted has also successfully argued in front of the Kansas Court of Appeals. Although Ted is always preparing his cases for trial, he also understands the
best result for a client may be a creative resolution outside the courtroom. For that reason, Ted focuses
on listening to the needs and desires of his clients and is always working for their best interest.

Ted graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006. He earned his Juris
Doctor from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2010, attaining the Dean’s List for academic
excellence. He was also selected by the law school to represent it in the National Trial Competition in
which his mock trial team advanced to the regional finals. During law school, Ted also clerked for the
Honorable James M. Smart, Jr., of the Western District of the Missouri Court of Appeals.
After law school, Ted was drawn to plaintiff’s trial work and has focused his practice around areas of
personal injury, commercial litigation, product liability, car accidents, tractor-trailer litigation, premises
liability, and class action work.

Attorney Kevin D. Buchanan

Kevin grew up around lawyers.  His father is an attorney which naturally drew Kevin to the profession at a young age as he spent many summers working at his father’s law firm.  This experience taught Kevin about the work ethic needed to help bring clients resolution.

Kevin is a Kansas City native.  Shortly after receiving his undergraduate degree from New York University, he began law school at the University of Missouri.  While in law school, Kevin was on the Dean’s List and his writing was published in the Missouri Law Review.  Upon graduating, Kevin return to Kansas City, where he was hired by DBJ after passing the bar.  Kevin is driven by a desire to help his clients seek justice and hold wrongdoers accountable.

After growing up in Kansas City, Kevin graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2015.  During college, he clerked at a defense firm and was a member of the Nu Epsilon Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta.  Kevin earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in 2018, attaining the Dean’s List for academic excellence.  Kevin was a Note and Comment Editor for the Missouri Law Review and a member of the Board of Advocates.  He also received multiple C.A.L.I. awards for his work in the classroom.  During law school, he interned for the Honorable Gary D. Witt of the Western District of Missouri Court of Appeals and clerked at DBJ.

Kevin focuses his practice on the areas of personal injury, products liability, premises liability, commercial litigation, auto accidents, tractor-trailer litigation, medical malpractice, and class action work.

Attorney JT Malone

JT believes that our justice system does not work without passionate, dedicated advocates fighting for the rights of everyone, regardless of their resources. JT is honored by the trust families place in him in their most challenging times, and considers it a privilege to help others navigate the complex legal system.

JT found a passion and talent for written and oral advocacy in law school at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he won awards for brief writing and oral arguments at national moot court competitions. Following a summer internship at DBJ, JT was offered a job and moved to Kansas City after passing the bar exam.

JT graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2018. JT earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2018. In law school, JT was a member of the Moot Court Honor Board, earning awards for written briefs and as a finalist at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition. JT also served as the problem writer and coordinator for the Rendigs National Products Liability Moot Court Competition, the only products liability moot court competition in the country

Products liability factors into JT’s practice today, working on Mass Tort products liability cases against some of the largest companies in the world. His other practice areas include personal injury, commercial litigation, auto accidents, tractor-trailer litigation, premises liability, and class action work.