Lantz’s Profile
The Winston Churchill quote hanging above the desk in Lantz Welch’s law office reads, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty; never give in.” This phrase characterizes every aspect of the life of Lantz Welch. Whether representing a personal injury victim, fulfilling the presidency of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, or pursuing philanthropic interests, Lantz Welch exemplifies preparation and perfectionism in everything he does.
Lantz Welch was recognized by the Missouri House of Representatives and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association as one of the top trial lawyers in the world. Lantz is also responsible for one of the largest single person injury verdicts ever obtained, $45 million. “When I started practicing law, I operated in a city where large verdicts were unheard of,” said Welch as he described the beginning of his law career.
His professional colleagues regard him with great esteem, “The stunning results you routinely acquire for your clients have skewed the conceptions of the bar so that all clients benefit from you even though they may not have the fortune to be represented by you.” Today, the majority of Lantz’s cases are settled out of court.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Lantz became president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association in 1977. Feeling it important to give something back to the profession, during his tenure as president, he instigated and promoted passage of a new constitution and bylaws that achieved, among other things, an open election process for future bar officers.
Extending beyond the recognition of the dollar figures alone, Lantz has received The Trial Lawyers for Public Justice award given to the private practice attorney who most exemplified the organization’s ideals by winning a landmark case; one that had and will have significant impact for the public good. This 10-year lawsuit on behalf of 31 residents of Sedalia, Mo., against the Alcolac chemical company ended with a four and one half-month trial and jury verdicts totaling more than $49 million. Welch has displayed his cutting edge preparation and perfectionism in many other cases as well. He represented the plaintiff in the case in which the Missouri Supreme Court first permitted an award of punitive damages against a health care provider, and he represented the plaintiff in the case in which the state’s high court abolished the practice of remittitur.
Lantz has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since the book’s inception in 1983.
His noteworthy success allowed Lantz to create the Lantz Welch Charitable Foundation in 1985. The foundation is led by Lantz’s wife, Laura Welch, and has funds totaling over $3 million. The Lantz Welch Charitable Foundation donates over $250,000 per year to a variety of programs, including those that help the homeless and troubled youths.
Meara, King & Co.’s association with Lantz Welch began when their firms were both located City Center Square over twenty years ago, when a personal relationship developed between Lantz and partner John Meara. Although Meara, King & Co. has since relocated to the Plaza, we have had the privilege of providing a variety of tax and audit work for Lantz, his law firm and the charitable foundation for many years.
The Winston Churchill quote hanging above the desk in Lantz Welch’s law office reads, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty; never give in.” This phrase characterizes every aspect of the life of Lantz Welch. Whether representing a personal injury victim, fulfilling the presidency of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, or pursuing philanthropic interests, Lantz Welch exemplifies preparation and perfectionism in everything he does.
Lantz Welch was recognized by the Missouri House of Representatives and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association as one of the top trial lawyers in the world. Lantz is also responsible for one of the largest single person injury verdicts ever obtained, $45 million. “When I started practicing law, I operated in a city where large verdicts were unheard of,” said Welch as he described the beginning of his law career.
His professional colleagues regard him with great esteem, “The stunning results you routinely acquire for your clients have skewed the conceptions of the bar so that all clients benefit from you even though they may not have the fortune to be represented by you.” Today, the majority of Lantz’s cases are settled out of court.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Lantz became president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association in 1977. Feeling it important to give something back to the profession, during his tenure as president, he instigated and promoted passage of a new constitution and bylaws that achieved, among other things, an open election process for future bar officers.
Extending beyond the recognition of the dollar figures alone, Lantz has received The Trial Lawyers for Public Justice award given to the private practice attorney who most exemplified the organization’s ideals by winning a landmark case; one that had and will have significant impact for the public good. This 10-year lawsuit on behalf of 31 residents of Sedalia, Mo., against the Alcolac chemical company ended with a four and one half-month trial and jury verdicts totaling more than $49 million. Welch has displayed his cutting edge preparation and perfectionism in many other cases as well. He represented the plaintiff in the case in which the Missouri Supreme Court first permitted an award of punitive damages against a health care provider, and he represented the plaintiff in the case in which the state’s high court abolished the practice of remittitur.
Lantz has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since the book’s inception in 1983.
His noteworthy success allowed Lantz to create the Lantz Welch Charitable Foundation in 1985. The foundation is led by Lantz’s wife, Laura Welch, and has funds totaling over $3 million. The Lantz Welch Charitable Foundation donates over $250,000 per year to a variety of programs, including those that help the homeless and troubled youths.
Meara, King & Co.’s association with Lantz Welch began when their firms were both located City Center Square over twenty years ago, when a personal relationship developed between Lantz and partner John Meara. Although Meara, King & Co. has since relocated to the Plaza, we have had the privilege of providing a variety of tax and audit work for Lantz, his law firm and the charitable foundation for many years.