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Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
4510 Belleview Avenue, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64111
Direct: (816) 502-4716
Email: mwhite@rousepc.com
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Bar & Court Admissions

Missouri, 1966
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Military Appeals
U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri

Education

  • University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 1966 J.D., With Honors
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City, B.A. 1962, With Distinction

Experience

Mike has extensive experience and a comprehensive knowledge of land use law, including real estate development, economic incentives, tax increment financing, entitlements, zoning, and redevelopment. As a former Legislator and Jackson County Executive, Mike provides clients with a very clear perspective about the intricate workings of state and local governments. He is well known in city halls, county offices, state and federal government circles and recognized as one of Kansas City’s civic leaders. Mike is principally responsible for two landmark cases before the Missouri Supreme Court, establishing the constitutionality of the State’s Tax Increment Financing Act and the first case interpreting the tax lid “Hancock Amendment” of the Missouri Constitution. He is the author of Missouri Land Use Law and Missouri Economic Development Law, both published by the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.

See what Economic Development Incentives, Government Relations, Land Use & Zoning, Municipal Law & Governance, and Public Law projects Mike has helped complete on our Project Map.

Areas of Practice

  • Economic Development Incentives
  • Land Use & Zoning
  • Municipal Law & Governance
  • Public Law
  • Government Relations

Areas of Emphasis

  • Land Use
  • Zoning
  • Economic Incentives
  • Redevelopment
  • Local Government Counsel
  • Real Estate Tax
  • Eminent Domain

Activities and Memberships

  • The Missouri Bar
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Instructor of Missouri Bar, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Missouri Tax Increment Financing Association, International Conference on Shopping Centers, and others

Honors and Recognition

  • Received Icon Award from Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly, 2022
  • Selected by Kansas City Bar Association as Baron of the Board Room, 2019
  • Honored as Best of the Bar, Kansas City Business Journal, for Land Use & Zoning, Lawyer of the Year 2010 and subsequent years
  • Selected as Super Lawyer, Missouri and Kansas
  • Chambers USA-America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Selected as among The Best Lawyers in America
  • Selected by The Best Lawyers in America as Lawyer of the Year, Land Use and Zoning Litigation
  • Chosen Ingram’s as among 50 Missourians You Should Know
  • Richard King Award Recipient, 2010 Missouri Economic Development Finance Association
  • Received highest attorney rating from Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent

Civic Involvement

  • Former Jackson County Executive
  • Former Jackson County Legislator
  • Missouri Association of Counties, past President
  • Little Blue Valley Sewer District, past Chairman
  • Policy Committee Member, National Association of Counties
  • Mid-America Regional Council of Governments, past Board Member
  • Urban Land Institute, Member
  • Bank of Kansas City, Board Member
  • Merchant’s Bank, Board Member
  • American Jazz Museum, Board Member
  • Kansas City Jazz Commission, Chairman
  • Camping Connection, Board Member
  • Center for Business Innovation, Board Member
  • Civic Council of Kansas City, Associate Member
  • County Sales Tax Campaign, Chairman
  • DeLaSalle Education Center, Chairman
  • Numerous other civic boards and commissions

Publications

Books

  • “Missouri Economic Development Law,” University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law Press, (2000 to date)
  • “Missouri Land Use Law and Practice,” 2 Volumes, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law Press, (1993 to date)
  • Missouri Bar, Real Estate Practice Desk book, Chapter 26, “Damages to Real Property” (2010)

Articles

  • “Curious County Zoning Law Gets Curiouser,” Journal of The Missouri Bar (November-December 2008)
  • “The Seven Myths About Economic Incentives,” Missouri Municipal Review (July 2003)
  • “County Zoning Statutes and Problematic Land Use Decisions”, Journal of The Missouri Bar (March-April 2003)
  • “City Managers Guide to Tax Increment Financing,” Missouri Municipal League (1998)
  • “Tax Increment Financing,” Journal of The Missouri Bar (September-October 1990)
  • “Unreasonable Refusal to Rezone – The Need for a Practical Injunctive Remedy,” Vol. 58, UMKC Law Rev., p. 65 (Winter 1989)
  • Creating a Climate for Development-Tax Increment Financing, Chapter 353, and Community Attitudes,” Midwest Research Institute Midcontinent Perspectives (November 20, 1985)
  • “The Connecticut Contraceptive Ban v. The Right of Privacy,” Vol. XXXIV, No. 1, UMKC Law Rev., p. 95 (Winter 1966)
  • “Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment,” Vol XXXIII, No. 1, UMKC Law Rev., p. 114 (Winter 1965)

For information on how to purchase either book click on the cover shown to the right.