T. Chris Williams
General Overview
Chris Williams is a founding shareholder of the firm. He was formerly a shareholder in the Public Law Group of Stinson, Mag & Fizzell, P.S. and a partner in the Public Law/Finance Division of Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP from 1997-2005. Prior to entering private practice, he served as a full-time in-house Assistant City Attorney with the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri from 1992-1997. Prior to attending law school, he served in various supervisory and management positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City from 1981-1989.
Chris serves as the City Counselor for the city of Gladstone, Missouri, as the City Attorney for the cities of Oak Grove and Richmond, Missouri, and as the Village Attorney for Unity Village, Missouri. He also serves as general counsel to the Lee’s Summit Industrial Development Authority and the Neosho Transportation Development District.
Education
University of Missouri – Kansas City, J.D., 1992
- Member of UMKC Law Review staff
- Research Editor, The Urban Lawyer
University of Central Missouri, B.S. in Business Administration, 1981
Bar Admissions
Missouri, 1992
Kansas, 1993
Professional Affiliations/Honors
Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association
- Lou Czech Award recipient (2015)
- President (2009-2010); Vice President (2008-2009); Treasurer (2007-2008)
Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyer, Government/Cities/Municipalities (2006-2010)
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Civic & Community Involvement
Centurions Leadership Program of Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Class of 2003
Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, Member of Advisory Board (2002-2005)
Boy Scout Troop 264
- Troop Committee Chairman (2004-2009)
- Silver Acorn Award recipient
- Sam Hibbard “Scouter of the Year” Award recipient
Lectures & Speeches
Chris is a frequent speaker on local government law, development and public financing issues. He has spoken at conferences and continuing legal education programs sponsored by the Missouri Economic Development Financing Association, Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association, West Gate Division of the Missouri Municipal League, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, The Missouri Bar Local Government Law Committee, City Clerks and Finance Officers Association of Missouri, Missouri City Management Association, Missouri Valley Institute of Transportation Engineers, Mid America Regional Council, League of Women Voters, East-West Gateway Coordinating Council of St. Louis, and the American Planning Association Kansas City Metropolitan Section.
Articles & Publications
Chris has authored articles and papers appearing in publications such as the Missouri Bar Real Estate Practice desk book (chapter on Missouri annexation law), Missouri Municipal Review magazine, Courts and CLE Bulletin, and The Urban Lawyer.