Todd Werts | Columbia Personal Injury Lawyer

Todd C. Werts

Todd C. Werts

Admitted in Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, and in federal courts around the country.

Language(s): English

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About Todd

Todd Werts’ practice primarily involves representing individuals, and groups of individuals, in claims filed in state and federal courts. He currently focuses on wage & hour, consumer, and employment cases, including class and collective actions. Todd has successfully represented thousands of workers from around the country to recover unpaid wages and overtime pay. Additionally, he represents consumers who have been subjected to unfair or fraudulent practices, or have been injured by unsafe products. Below is a short sampling of some of Todd’s cases:

In re American Medical Collection Agency, Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation (D.N.J.) Todd Werts has been appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Leadership Structure as part of the Bankruptcy Liaison Committee. This cases consolidates data breach lawsuits filed around the country against certain medical laboratories, including Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, based on a data breach impacting millions of patient records at the collection agency commonly used by such labs. This case is pending.

In re DIRECTV Wage & Hour Litigation (various federal courts and arbitration fora) Todd served as one of three co-lead counsel in this litigation involving more than 2,000 satellite installation technicians paid under an allegedly illegal piece rate pay model. This case spanned nine years of intensive litigation across forty different federal district court, five circuit courts of appeals, and a certiorari petition to the United States Supreme Court. Todd’s partner, Brad Lear, supervised the extensive briefing in these various appeals and in the approximately 45 separate summary judgment motions filed. Todd Werts lead the charge coordinating extensive electronic discovery and in taking 120 of the over 650 depositions taken in the case. These cases have resolved with the exception certain California claims that remain pending.

Voorhis, et a. v. Greene County (W.D. Mo.) Todd was lead counsel in this Missouri Minimum Wage Law and Fair Labor Standards Act class action case challenging the timekeeping practices at the Greene County Jail. After review of the relevant timekeeping records, as well as a corporate representative deposition, the parties were able to resolve this case on a classwide basis at mediation.

Blume v. International Services (E.D. Mo.) Todd was lead counsel on an FLSA collective action filed on behalf of small business consultants who were not paid overtime. The case settled on behalf of a nationwide class.

Adams v. Hy-Vee (W.D. Mo.) Todd was co-lead counsel on a nationwide collective action for grocery store assistant managers in a mass action challenging their classification as exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. The case was settled on a class basis.

Stephenson v. Information Providers (D. Minn.) Todd was co-lead counsel on a nationwide collective action on behalf of insurance premium auditors who were denied overtime. The case settled after Todd was able to obtain a favorable ruling on plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment.

McClean v. CenturyTel (E.D. La.). Todd was co-lead counsel on a nationwide FLSA collective action on behalf of approximately 2,800 call center workers. The case was settled on a class basis.

Oddson v. Swift (D. Colo.). Todd was co-lead counsel on a nationwide wage and hour collective action filed on behalf of livestock buyers who were not paid overtime. The case settled on a class basis.

Todd is a frequent speaker on litigation and employment law issues as well as legal technology matters. He is an active member of the Missouri Bar and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys where he serves on the Board of Governors and as an active member of the amicus committee. When not working, Todd Werts and his wife, Michelle Werts, breed and raise Arabian horses.

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Experience

Partner

Lear & Werts LLP

Present

Columbia, MO

Admission

Verified Arizona

2019

Verified Kansas

2002

Verified Missouri

2001

Education

University of Missouri

Bachelors (Mathematics)

N/A

Recognitions & Achievements

Associations
  • Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group Member
    2011 - Present
  • Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Amicus Curiae Committee Member
    2010 - Present
  • American Bar Association, Law Practice Management Section Member
    2009 - Present
  • Missouri Bar Association, Federal Practice Subcommittee Member
    2009 - Present
  • National Employment Law Association Secretary
    2009 - Present
  • Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Emergency Disaster Response Team Member
    2008 - Present
  • Missouri Bar Association, Lawyer Referral Service Committee Member
    2007 - Present
  • American Association for Justice Member
    2005 - Present
  • Boone County Bar Association Partners in Education Committee Member
    2006 - 2010
Honors / Awards
  • Board Member Order of Barristers
    2000

Notable Work

Publications

Annual Workers’ Compensation Institute Healthcare Provider Applications for Direct Payment

2009


Lear Werts LLP Compensation Issues Under FLSA/Wage and Hour Laws

2009


Lear Werts LLP Nuts and Bolts of Missouri Practice, Employment Termination in Missouri

2007


MOBAR CLE: CONTRACTS Contract Interpretation

2007

Questions & Answers

Please describe a case in the last year or two where you made a big difference.

I represented the family of a young woman who, along with her daughter and boyfriend, was killed in an apartment fire. The fire started overnight in the living room and spread to engulf the entire apartment. There were complex questions of fact regarding how the fire started and whether the deaths could have been avoided. Ultimately, we were able to recover a voluntary settlement of the full limits of the landlord\'s available insurance, based in large part on a complex application of the controlling city building codes.

How did you build a successful practice?

By trying to remember that each client\'s case is usually the most important thing happening in their life at the time we are working with them. From there, we focus on trying to do good work for our clients and to let the success follow on that good work.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?

Someone they are comfortable talking with and that they feel they can trust. Litigation is not easy. Clients should feel comfortable to ask any question of their lawyer.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?

It depends. Sometimes it is critical. Other times, it is much less relevant. It really just depends on the specific facts of a given situation. As someone who routinely practices law in federal courts around the country, local knowledge is often something I do not necessarily have. However, if a local perspective is needed, then we do not hesitate to consult with local counsel to fill-in any information gaps.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?

Usually, we can let potential clients know whether they have a situation that we can help with. If we cannot take on their case, then we try to help make sure the person gets connected with someone who can help. If it is a case that we can help with, then we can explain the process, how attorneys fees and costs will work for a given case, and some discussion of what the client can expect from our representation.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?

The basics. It is good for clients to be prepared with general information regarding the \"who, what, when, where, and how\" of the situation. But we do not need to get into every possibly relevant document or split every hair in the initial discussion. There will be time to get into that detail. Ultimately, we just need to get a general idea of what happened, so we can plan out how best to perform a thorough investigation of the facts and work the file up for litigation. It is not usually possible to do all of that in the first telephone call, so it is better not to try.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?

The scope of my practice is different than many lawyers in my community. Our office typically represents scores, hundreds, or even thousands of clients who have been harmed by a common cause. As such, we are often able to keep an eye on the big picture of a situation and help our client not get lost in the forest because of undue focus on the leaves.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Relieving clients of the stress of a particular situation. I have often said that a big part of my job is helping to manage my client\'s stress. It is very rewarding to have clients be able to let go of the stress and tension they have been bottling up as they cope with an issue.

What are your other interests in addition to law?

I am a voracious reader. Beyond that, my wife and I breed and raise Arabian horses.

Are you involved in your community?

I am active in the Arabian Horse Association and with Arabian Horseman\'s Distress Fund. I am also an active member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Amicus Committee. That committee reviews and submits briefs to the Missouri State appellate courts, the Supreme Court of Missouri, and sometimes the United States Supreme Court, on behalf of the association and the individuals our members represent, advocating in favor of the rights of those harmed due to the negligence or malfeasance of others.

Founded 2003

Lear Werts LLP Highlights

Dispute Resolution, Civil Rights, Criminal, Discrimination, Employment, Insurance; Litigation; Car Accident; Personal Injury; Products Liability; Securities; Sexual Harassment; Workers' Compensation; Wrongful Death

Firm Size: 4 attorneys
Firm Locations: 1
Languages: English