About John
John J. Gates: Experienced Construction and Insurance Litigator in Kansas City, MO
John J. Gates is a seasoned construction and insurance litigation attorney based in Kansas City, Missouri. With over two decades of experience, he handles a wide range of legal issues ranging from disputes between business owners to personal injury lawsuits, non-compete allegations, defective construction claims, and interpreting insurance policies. His comprehensive approach allows him to see all sides of a client's problems and develop effective solutions.
Practice Areas
- Litigation - Construction
- Litigation - Insurance
John has litigated numerous high-exposure wrongful death and personal injury claims stemming from workplace accidents, product defects, trucking accidents, and insufficient security measures. He also handles cases with less severe injuries in the areas of premises liability, automobile accidents, and property damage. Beyond his business and personal injury practice, John focuses on insurance claims, defective construction, and non-compete matters.
With regard to insurance claims, he performs coverage analysis and litigates bad faith claims, declaratory judgment actions, subrogation claims, and equitable garnishments. His experience with defective construction cases encompasses the design, materials, and construction in residential and commercial projects.
Awards
- Lawyer of the Year: Construction Law, Kansas City, MO (2026)
- Recognized: Construction Law, Recognized: Litigation - Construction, Recognized: Litigation - Insurance, Practice Area: Commercial Litigation, Practice Area: Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
In addition to his professional accolades, John has tried several high-exposure jury trials in Missouri and Kansas, including two of the largest defense verdicts in Missouri over the last fifteen years. He has also obtained dismissals in significant personal injury and commercial litigation cases.
Firms
- Gates Westering LLC
Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2021
John J. Gates attended the University of Kansas and Vanderbilt University, where he earned his degrees. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and holds bar admissions from various jurisdictions.
Languages
- English
