Connor Sears

Connor J. Sears is a litigator who defends companies that face complex and individual product liability cases involving technical and scientific issues. He has defended cases across the country in both state and federal courts, with extensive experience in Missouri, California, Illinois and Florida.

In managing these cases, Connor has developed experience in all aspects of products liability defense, including strategy development, fact investigation, discovery, taking depositions, motion practice and preparing expert witnesses.

Connor has successfully represented tobacco companies in individual and complex smoking-and-health cases. He has served on the following trial teams that have obtained complete defense verdicts in favor of Philip Morris USA: VanDenBurg (Independence, Missouri, 2006), Willis(Bradenton, Florida, 2010), Szymanski (Fort Myers, Florida, 2011), Gollihue (Jacksonville, Florida, 2012), and Denton (Jacksonville, Florida, 2012).

In addition to his primary practice, Connor has taken an active role in pro bono work. As part of his pro bono efforts, he co-chaired a federal civil rights jury trial and argued before the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

Education:

• J.D., University of Kansas School of Law, 2005
• B.S., University of Kansas, 2002

Bar Admissions:

• California
• Florida
• Missouri
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri

Memberships:

• American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Litigation Committee, Vice-Chair (2010-2012)