Douglas Hill is an experienced litigator, managing a diverse civil defense practice that includes professional negligence, product liability, industrial and job site injuries, and general business litigation. He has extensive experience representing architects, engineers, contractors, product manufacturers, and individuals facing claims for professional malpractice, breach of contract, and general negligence.  He is aggressive in pursuing his clients’ legal defenses, but always with an eye toward finding the quickest and most cost-effective path to a favorable result.

Doug handles and oversees all stages of legal disputes, from the initial fact investigation through to the ultimate conclusion, whether that be through settlement, dispositive motion, trial, or appeal.  He has deposed hundreds of fact and expert witnesses, won numerous jury trials, and briefed and argued cases before appellate courts, including the Missouri Supreme Court.  In addition to traditional civil litigation, Doug has also defended multi-million dollar arbitrations and regularly negotiates settlements through private mediation. 

An accomplished writer and editor, Doug previously served as Senior Articles Editor for the Science and Technology Law Review and has served on the editorial boards of several other academic publications.

Memberships & Activities

• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
  • Member, Construction Community
  • Member, Construction Claims Magazine Committee
  • Member, Construction Claims College Conference Committee
• Johnson County Bar Association
• Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
• Missouri Bar

Presentations

• Defending Workplace Injury Claims in Kansas and Missouri, CLE presentation
• Taking and Defending Depositions of Design and Construction Experts, CLE presentation

Community Involvement

• Debate-KC Lawyers-in-the-Classroom (Volunteer)
• "Lead To Read" Volunteer, Garfield Elementary, Kansas City, Missouri

News & Events

Douglas Hill Joins Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice in Kansas City

10.04.18 | Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice is pleased to welcome Douglas Hill as an attorney with the firm's Kansas City office. Hill is an experienced litigator, managing a diverse civil defense practice that includes professional negligence, product liability, industrial and job site injuries, and general business litigation. He has extensive experience representing ...

Blog Posts

When it Comes to Nonconforming Goods, is the Customer Always Right?

01.23.19 | Applying Missouri Law, the Eighth Circuit confirms that when a company guarantees customer satisfaction, only to leave the customer unsatisfied, it risks not only its business reputation, but also its legal right to collect payment.

Eighth Circuit Refuses to Punish Employer for History of Granting Special Treatment to Disabled Employee with Poor Attendance Record

01.08.19 | The Eighth Circuit affirms summary judgment in an employer's favor in a disability discrimination case, where the employee's excessive absenteeism was attributed to a disability and other family medical issues.

Missouri Supreme Court Opinion Calls Into Question Many Consumer Arbitration Agreements

11.20.18 | In a blow to the enforceability of arbitration clauses found in many existing consumer contracts, the Missouri Supreme Court declines to appoint a substitute arbitration provider after the agreed-upon arbitration forum's "sudden and unforeseen departure" from the scene.

Plead It or Concede It: Court May Not Raise Affirmative Defense Sua Sponte

10.04.18 | Missouri's Western District Court of Appeals confirms that if a party fails to properly plead an affirmative defense, the trial court has no power to apply the defense on its own initiative