R. Todd Ehlert

Experience

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 his 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 and the defense of personal injury and wrongful death cases.

As an award-winning trial prosecutor, Todd routinely tried bench and jury cases including homicides, drug offenses, weapons offenses, gang-related crimes and domestic violence. Following his career as a prosecutor, Todd transitioned to civil practice and began first-chairing jury trials as a first-year associate. Todd chairs the litigation department at Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C., which he joined in 2019. Previously, he was a partner at an AmLaw 100 firm.

In addition to trying cases to verdict, Todd has substantial experience in complex arbitrations and mediations, and has argued multiple cases before appellate courts. To date, total damages in the cases he has been involved with exceed $675 million.

Areas of Practice

• Business Litigation
• Litigation
• Medical Malpractice Defense

Areas of Emphasis

• Commercial Disputes
• Catastrophic losses and injury
• Insurance coverage disputes
• Corporate/LLC disputes (including officers/shareholders/directors/members)
• Will and trust disputes

Activities and Memberships

• The Missouri Bar
• Kansas Bar Association
• St. Joseph Bar Association (Missouri)
• Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Co-Vice Chair, Business Litigation Section.
• St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors)
• United Way of Greater St. Joseph (Board of Directors; Nominating Committee; Audit Committee; Campaign Cabinet Member/Professional Division)
• Missouri Western State University Foundation (Board of Directors; Chair, Bylaws Committee; Vice-Chair, Committee on Directorship)
• St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Young Executives Network (Chair)
• St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Booster’s Club (President; Board of Directors)
• Kansas Chapter Delta Upsilon Fraternity Alumni Corporation Board (Board of Directors)
• The Cathedral of St. Joseph (School Board; Pastoral Council; Finance Review Committee; Strategic Task Force; Marketing Committee; Finance Committee; Volunteer Teacher, Introduction to Law)
• Twin Spires Museum (Board of Directors)
• City of St. Joseph Charter Review Commission (Commissioner)
• Bishop LeBlond High School (School Advisory Board; Strategic Planning Committee)
• Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center (Instructor)

Honors and Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America® 2025, Business Litigation
• The Best Lawyers in America® 2025, Insurance Law
• Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
• Red Ribbon Award for Victim’s Rights from the DUI Victim’s Center of Kansas for efforts in prosecuting DUI-related homicides and manslaughters
• Up and Coming Lawyer Award, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2008

Publications and Presentations

• Injunctions and Other Non-Monetary Remedies in Business Disputes, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Business Torts Handbook, Chapter 12 (2017)
• 34 Washburn Law Journal 119, 1994 (Don’t Disobey the Parental Preference Doctrine)
• CLE Presenter, KCMBA Annual Business Litigation Seminar, Injunctions and Other Non-Monetary Remedies in Business Disputes, 2018
• CLE Facilitator, KCMBA CLE By the Hour, Maximizing Your Effectiveness in Mediation: Do’s and Don’ts from Three Seasoned Mediators
• CLE Presenter, KCMBA Annual Business Litigation Seminar, Obtaining and Proving an Award of Attorneys’ Fees (2019)