dharpool@blmhpc.com

Your Full Service FIrm for Business and Life

Areas of Practice:

Insurance Defense

Employment Law
Municipal Law
Professional Liability
Business Litigation
Medical Malpractice
Civil Rights Defense
Truck Accident Litigation

Admissions:

Missouri, 1980
U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri 1980
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri 1980

U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit

Education:

Southwest Missouri State University, B.S.,

cum laude, 1977
University of Missouri – Columbia, J.D., 1980
Member, Missouri Law Review, 1979-1980

Thomas Deacy Prize for Excellence in Trial Advocacy

Roscoe Anderson Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy

Order of the Barristers

Distinctions:

Mr. Harpool has been granted the distinction of an AV™ Preeminent rating by the Martindale Hubbell Association® Peer Review.  The rating 5.0 out of 5 is a reflection his experience as an attorney, as well as high professional and ethical standards.

      Best Lawyers in America® 2010-2013

      Meadowbrook Insurance Group award for Jury Trial  

      Successes, 2011

      A.M. Best's Recommended Insurance Attorney

Professional & Community Activities:

Missouri Bar Association
Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, Board of Directors 2013-2016

Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

Missouri Organization of Defense Attorneys

U.S. Courts for Western District of Missouri Federal Practice Committee

Claims & Litigation Management Alliance

Chairman, Missouri Senate Apportionment Commission (2012)

Background:

Mr. Harpool is a former five-term Missouri State Representative, where he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He has served on the faculty of the Missouri Judicial College and numerous continuing legal education programs. 

For over 25 years Mr. Harpool has represented public entities across Missouri in litigation pertaining to employment, civil rights, storm water flooding, road design, open meetings and records, economic development, dangerous condition property, law enforcement, and other actions under 42 U.S.C § 1983.  Mr. Harpool joined Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Harpool, P.C. in 2006.

Publications & Presentations:

"What You Need to Know About Public Records and Open Meetings in Missouri," Faculty Speaker, April 3, 2013

6th Annual Recent Developments in Employment Law, Faculty Speaker, June 2, 2011

      "The Missouri Professional Corporation Act," Missouri 

      Bar Journal, Nov/Dec 1986

      "Employment Discrimination-Sex Descrimination 

      under Title VII, Includes Differential Treatment of

      Pregnancy Related Disablilities," 45 Missouri Law

      Review 145, 1980 "Limitations on the Use of Expert 

      Testimony in Missouri," 45 Missouri Law Review 145, 

      1980