Mark A. Ferguson

Mark A. Ferguson was admitted to the practice of law in the state of Missouri in 1990 and the state of Kansas in 1991. That same year, he was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. In 2007, Mr. Ferguson was admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. In 2008, he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Ferguson is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Missouri, both Eastern and Western Divisions. After nearly twenty years of active experience in the practice of law as a partner with the national law firm of Lathrop & Gage, Mr. Ferguson joined Lawrence Gates and Eldon Shields and formed Gates, Shields & Ferguson in March of 2009. Mr. Ferguson has engaged in numerous civil trials, administrative proceedings, and appellate cases on behalf of individuals, businesses, employers, insurance companies, public agencies and educational institutions in the states of Kansas and Missouri. His case load includes a variety of litigation, ranging from real estate, business transactions, corporate, employment, insurance subrogation and education law. The primary focus of his practice is Education Law, Employment Law and General Litigation. Mark Ferguson has significant expertise and experience in each of the legal areas of practice outlined herein. Collectively, the Firm has substantial experience representing clients, including employers, before municipal, county, state and federal courts in nearly all of the substantive areas of the law. Mr. Ferguson has substantial experience with policy development; review and/or drafting of documents and contracts, analyzing and reporting on potential conflict of interests, writing and arguing briefs and opinions; negotiations, including serving as lead negotiator on collective bargaining agreements; litigation; legal research and writing; advice and counsel, and other related duties as requested by clients. Mr. Ferguson has represented numerous elected boards and public entities, including School Districts, Boards of Education, Boards of Trustees and other elected officials from political subdivisions across the State of Kansas. Mr. Ferguson is very comfortable working with public bodies and is very familiar with the legal requirements and nuances of Kansas Open Meetings laws and Kanas Open Records Acts. He has worked with and advised boards, entities and political bodies on numerous legal issues, including contract negotiation, collective bargaining, litigation, personnel matters and sensitive public controversies and litigation strategy.