Kansas City, Mo. – September 24, 2025: R. Todd Ehlert, Litigation Practice Group chair with Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C., secured a major jury trial win for Evergy Metro, Inc. in Carroll County, Missouri, successfully defending the utility company against allegations of trespass and demands for significant compensatory and punitive damages.
Plaintiffs Brian and Michelle Edwards alleged that Evergy trespassed on their property by placing utility poles along their property bordering Carroll County Road 315. Plaintiffs demanded $400,000 or $250,000 plus the removal of the poles before trial. At trial, Plaintiffs requested $149,000 in compensatory damages plus punitive damages.
After a three-day jury trial featuring testimony from numerous fact witnesses, county officials, two surveyors and an appraiser, the jury delivered a verdict in Evergy’s favor. As a compromise, the jury found only two of the poles to be on the Plaintiffs’ private property (by 1.25 inches), and awarded Plaintiffs only $4,000 in total damages, while rejecting completely any claim for punitive damages.
Todd was assisted at trial by firm paralegal Jacqueline Johnson.
About R. Todd Ehlert: In an era where trying cases is uncommon, Todd is an experienced trial attorney who represents businesses and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of disputes. In nearly 30 years of practice, he has tried approximately 350 trials to verdict, both as a former prosecutor and in his current civil practice, where he focuses on business litigation.
About the firm’s Litigation Practice Group: The firm’s Litigation Practice Group attorneys have more than 250 years of combined trial and appellate court experience, including business-to-business cases, individual and business cases, simple two-party disputes, and complex class action cases. The Litigation Practice Group has collective experience in more than 40 states and in eight federal circuits, including more than 500 bench and jury trials.
About the firm:
Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes offers highly skilled lawyers in many practice areas with vast real world experience. Our clients benefit from blue-ribbon talent unencumbered by mega firm business models.
Choice of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based solely upon a website or advertisements. In reviewing achievements by the law firm or its attorneys, remember that past results afford no guarantee of future results; each matter is different and must be judged on its own merits. Although our lawyers may practice in subject areas, neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor The Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialty designations for Missouri licensed attorneys.