Attorney Profiles
Based in Columbia, Missouri, attorneys at Lear Werts LLP represent workers throughout the Midwest in the areas of injury and employment law. Click the attorney names below to learn more about our experience and expertise.
Bradford B. Lear
Attorney Brad Lear focuses his practice on complex personal injury and employment litigation, including the representation of groups of employees in class and collective actions. Brad has successfully represented workers in cases involving wage and hour disputes, including claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for unpaid overtime, and other employment matters involving gender, racial, religious, and disability discrimination. He also represents clients in serious injury and wrongful death claims as well as claims for vexatious refusal to pay insurance proceeds due under life, accident, and long-term care insurance.
Education
- University of Missouri - Columbia, School of Law, Juris Doctor; Order of the Coif, Order of Barristers, Missouri Law Review
- University of Missouri - Columbia, Bachelor of Arts
Admissions
- Missouri State Courts
- Illinois State Courts
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- United States District Court, Western District of Missouri
- United States District Court, District of Colorado
Admissions to Practice Pro Hac Vice
- United States District Court, Southern District of California
- United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana
- United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois <
- United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section; Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
- Missouri Bar Association, Federal Practice Subcommittee
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Emergency Disaster Response Team
- American Association for Justice
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Missouri Employment Law Institute, Wage & Hour Update (2008)
- University of Missouri School of Law, Law Practice Management (2008)
- MOBAR CLE: CONTRACTS, Contract Interpretation (2007)
- University of Missouri School of Law, Securities Arbitration (2003)
In the Media
- Ex State Farm worker alleges labor violations, Columbia Daily Tribune (Aug. 10, 2010)
- Two ex-tax preparers sue H&R Block, Columbia Daily Tribune (Jan. 26, 2010)
- Boys State adopts Missouri Plan for judges; change draws praise, The Daily Star-Journal (June 30, 2009)
- Hickman Students Ready for National Law Debate Contest, Columbia Daily Tribune (May 7, 2009)
- Judge qualifies suit as possible class action, St. Louis Daily Record (Sept. 5, 2007)
- Cons of Columbia, VOX Magazine (Nov. 29, 2007)
- Making the Case for Dispute Resolution, Columbia Daily Tribune (Nov. 29, 2003)
Community Involvement
- Missouri Boys State, Board of Directors; Dean of Law School
- Hickman High School Mock Trial Team, Coach (2004-2009); National Champion (2008 American Mock Trial Invitational); Missouri State Champion (2009)
- Chipping in for Charity Golf Tournament, Planning Committee (2007-present)
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Todd C. Werts
Attorney Todd Werts focuses his practice on personal injury, employment, and workers' compensation cases. Todd has successfully represented clients in claims involving serious personal injuries arising from automobile collisions, trucking accidents, and falls as a result of dangerous premises. His extensive workers' compensation experience includes handling cases involving spinal injuries, torn rotator cuffs, and carpal tunnel, among other work-related injuries. Todd is an active member of the Missouri Bar and the Boone County Bar Association, and is a frequent speaker on injury and employment law issues.
Education
- University of Missouri - Columbia, School of Law, Juris Doctor; Order of the Barristers, Missouri Environmental Law & Policy Review
- University of Missouri - Columbia, Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Admissions
- Missouri State Courts
- Kansas State Courts
- United States District Court, Western District of Missouri
- United States District Court, District of Kansas
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
Admissions to Practice Pro Hac Vice
- United States District Court, Southern District of California
- United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana
- United States District Court, District of Minnesota
- United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, Law Practice Management Section
- Missouri Bar Association, Lawyer Referral Service Committee; Federal Practice Subcommittee
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Emergency Disaster Response Team
- American Association for Justice
- National Employment Law Association
- Boone County Bar Association, Partners in Education Committee; Secretary (2009-2010)
- National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (NAPIL)
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Annual Workers' Compensation Institute: Healthcare Provider Applications for Direct Payment (2009)
- Compensation Issues Under FLSA/Wage and Hour Laws (2009)
- ADA Update (2009)
- University of Missouri School of Law, Law Practice Management (2007-2008)
- Nuts and Bolts of Missouri Practice, Employment Termination in Missouri (2007)
- MOBAR CLE: CONTRACTS, Contract Interpretation (2007)
In the Media
- Sales Contracts, Missouri Bar SoundByte (June 20, 2008)
- New Online Complaint Form [for the Missouri Human Rights Commission], KOMU TV-8 (Oct. 23, 2007)
- New Clinic Aims to Aid Workers with Injuries, Columbia Daily Tribune (Mar. 3, 2006)
Community Involvement
- Columbia Public Schools: Partners in Education, Boone County Bar Association Scholarship Program, Chair
- Chipping in for Charity Golf Tournament, Planning Committee (2007-present)
- Acacia Lodge No. 602, A.F. & A.M.
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Sander C. Sowers
Attorney Sander Sowers represents individuals in serious personal injury, workers' compensation, and employment cases, including wage and hour class and collective actions. Alongside his legal practice, Sander is an active member of the Boone County Bar Association, of which he serves as the Young Lawyers Committee Chairperson, and also the Columbia Chapter of Rotaract. In addition, Sander was elected by his peers to serve as the Missouri Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Council District Representative for the mid-Missouri area.
Education
- Saint Louis University, Juris Doctor; Saint Louis University Law Journal
- University of Missouri-Columbia, Bachelor of Science
Admissions
Professional Associations
- Missouri Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section Council, District 5 Representative
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
- Boone County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Committee, Chair; Jim Butcher Memorial Picnic Committee
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Daughters of the American Revolution, speaking in support of Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan (2010)
- University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Agricultural Law (2007)
Community Involvement
- Rotaract, Columbia Chapter
- Chipping in for Charity Golf Tournament, Chair (2008-present)