Perry joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2023 and is a member of the Business Litigation practice group. Since 1977, Perry has acted as lead trial counsel in all types of complex business and commercial litigation in state and federal courts across the nation, as well as before various governmental agencies and arbitration panels. Perry has handled dozens of trials during that time. Perry’s experience spans a number of industries and types of proceedings, and he has achieved many summary judgments and other favorable resolutions prior to trial. During his career Perry has counseled many boards of directors, management teams and legal departments regarding litigation, business and regulatory matters, and risk avoidance.
Perry has particular experience in class, shareholder derivative and multi-plaintiff litigation, including Multi District Litigation. He has substantial experience in the area of securities litigation, having represented issuers, underwriters, investment bankers, accountants and broker-dealers in connection with alleged securities law and related claims. Perry also has represented clients in connection with government investigations, disciplinary actions and enforcement proceedings commenced by self-regulatory agencies and state securities commissioners, as well as before the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Perry has represented many boards of directors and special committees in derivative actions and other matters. Perry has also represented clients in connection with white collar criminal proceedings and internal investigations, and has led a number of corporate internal investigations. In addition, Perry has defended other class action litigation, including numerous antitrust lawsuits. He further has handled a substantial amount of employment litigation, defending against claims of race, sex and age discrimination as well as claims involving the ADA, FMLA and claims of sexual harassment. Perry also has represented banks and other financial institutions in lender liability litigation.
Perry is listed on the Roster of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association and on the Western District of Missouri list of outside mediators. He also has acted as an independent mediator and special master on numerous occasions.
Perry is extremely involved in a number of bar, civic, educational and charitable organizations; among these activities, he has served as General Counsel to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors. He also recently served as President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, and currently serves on the Board of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation. He also has served as a member of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, and as President of the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association. He currently serves on the Vanderbilt Law School Board of Advisors, and has received Vanderbilt's prestigious Alumni Volunteer Award. He also has served as Board Chair of Wayside Waifs and as President of DeLaSalle Charter High School. He has been honored as one of Kansas City's Most Powerful Business Leaders, and as Dean of the Trial Bar by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association.
Represented the former President of the United States in a civil jury trial.
Represented numerous public companies in shareholder, antitrust, consumer and other class actions.
Represented boards of directors in numerous shareholder derivative actions.
Represented special committees in numerous derivative actions.
Represented broker-dealer in multi-plaintiff federal court lawsuit alleging fraud in the sale of municipal bonds.
Represented major national bank in major fiduciary trust litigation.
Represented broker-dealer in multi-forum antitrust litigation relating to municipal derivatives.
Represented trucking company in major multi-forum antitrust litigation.
Represented managed care organization in major antitrust litigation.
Represented broker-dealer in multi-forum litigation relating to silver futures.
Represented major municipality in litigation relating to collateralized mortgage obligations.
Represented major bank in litigation involving custody of public pension funds.
Represented state university in lawsuit brought by former head football coach.
Acted as Special Master in consolidated cases involving restaurant explosion.
Represented investment banker in multi-forum litigation relating to private placements.
Represented mutual fund company in ERISA class action.
Conducted extensive corporate internal investigation on behalf of major agricultural association.
Represented major plumbing distributor in business valuation litigation.
Represented major banks in lender liability litigation.
Represented CEO of NYSE-traded company in multi-forum litigation, criminal and enforcement proceedings.
Represented mutual fund firm in multiple major lawsuit involving sales of variable annuities.
Represented numerous broker-dealers in NASD arbitrations alleging unsuitability and overconcentration.
Represented numerous firms in SEC, FINRA and state securities commission enforcement proceedings.
Represented investment advisory firm in multiple regulatory proceedings.
Represented individual registered representative in major NASD enforcement proceeding.
Represented broker-dealers in various NASD arbitrations relating to employment issues.
Represented manufacturer in trade secrets litigation.
Represented a leading tax preparation service company in several product-related actions commenced by state Attorneys General and in other class action litigation.
Represented plastics manufacturer in trade secret litigation.
Represented retailers in multiple class actions alleging violations of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.
Represented automobile manufacturer on regional basis in employment and dealer lawsuits.
Acted as expert witness in legal malpractice action.
Rosters of Arbitrators, American Arbitrators Association
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, President, 2014; President-Elect, 2013; Vice President, 2012; Treasurer, 2011; Board of Directors, 2006 - 2017; Chair, Strategic Vision Committee, 2009 - 2010; Chair, Securities Law Committee, 2000; Publications Committee, 2008 - present; Finance Committee, 2010 - 2011; Audit Committee, 2011; President, Past Presidents Club, 2016 - 2017, 2022-2023
The Missouri Bar, Board of Governors, 2015 - 2019
Board Member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation (KCMBF), 2023- Present
Federal Courts Advocates, President, 2012; President-Elect, 2011; Secretary, 2010; Board of Directors, 2009 - 2013
Appointed in 1990 and 1991 to separate Merit Selection Commissions recommending candidates for United States District Judge
Appointed in 2017 to Merit Commission for Reappointment of US Magistrate Judge
Appointed in 2018 to Chair Merit Commission for Appointment of US Magistrate Judge
Lawyers Association of Kansas City, President, 1999-2000; Board Member, 1997 - 2000
American Bar Association
J.D., Vanderbilt University 1977
• Vanderbilt Law Review, Executive Editor
• Recipient, The Morgan Prize
• Recipient, The Myron Penn Laughlin Award
B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1974
Missouri
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Kansas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Rosters of Arbitrators, American Arbitrators Association
General Counsel, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 2016 - 2019
Business Leadership Counsel, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 2002- Present
Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, 2018 - 2020
Vanderbilt Law School Board of Advisors, 2020 - Present
Vanderbilt University Alumni Association - President, 2016 - 2018; President-Elect, 2014 - 2016; Board of Directors, 2012 - 2019
Vanderbilt Alumni Association, Kansas City Chapter, President, 2011 - 2015, 2023- Present
Vanderbilt Law School Lecturer, 2006 - Present
Missouri Bar Wellness Committee, 2022 - Present
Missouri Bar Task Force on Complex Litigation, 2016 - 2018
U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, Missouri Chair, 1997 - 1998; 2015 - 2016
Wayside Waifs, Board Chair, 2017 - 2019; Vice Chair, 2015 - 2016; Board of Directors, 2014 - 2019
DeLaSalle Charter High School, President, 2011 - 2013; President-Elect, 2010 - 2011; Secretary, 2009 - 2010; Board of Directors, 2008 - 2014
Missouri Bar Task Force on Lawyers Helping Lawyers, 2014 - 2016
The Turning Point Center for Hope and Healing, Board of Directors, 2010 - 2014
Adjunct Professor, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 2010 - 2014
The Children's Place, Board of Directors, 2006 - 2008
Vanderbilt Law School Alumni Board, 1998 - 2001
Coro Foundation, President, 1989 - 1990; Board of Directors, 1987 - 1990
Civic Council's Kansas City Tomorrow Program, 1989
The Carriage Club, President, 1997 - 1998; Board of Directors, 1994 - 1998, 2017 - Present
FBI Citizens Academy, Kansas City Police Department Citizens Academy
"India Adventure" KC Counselor (May 2024)
"Celebrating KCMBA's 140 Years of Excellence" KC Counselor (March 2024)
"Southeast Asia Adventure," KC Counselor (May 2023)
“Profiles in Leadership – Mayor Quinton Lucas,” KC Counselor (April 2022)
"The Heartland Diversity Job Fair - Making a Difference," KC Counselor (November 2021)
"Well Being - A Law Firm Priority," KC Counselor (October 2021)
"Magical San Miguel," KC Counselor (September 2021)
"Viva El Peru!" KC Counselor (September 2019)
"Viva Cuba!" KC Counselor (April 2017)
"Israel Adventure," KC Counselor (March 2017)
"Viva Italia!," KC Counselor (March 2016)
"Je Suis Charlie," KC Counselor (March 2015)
"Istanbul Adventure," KC Counselor (October 2014)
"Climbing the Ladder: The Path to a Great Legal Career," KC Counselor (May 2014)
"Amazon Adventure," KC Counselor (February 2014)
"Climbing the Ladder - The Path to a Great Legal Career," 1 UMKC Law Review De Jure 9 (2013)
"Walk Like an Egyptian," KC Counselor (July 2012)
"European Adventure: Three Cities, Three Cultures," KC Counselor (March 2012)
"Bad Medicine: The Courtney Case," KC Counselor (June 2011)
"A Dangerous Breed," KC Counselor (January 2011)
"Hiking the Inca Trail," Vanderbilt Lawyer (Spring 2010)
"Adventures in Peru," KC Counselor (October 2009)
Chapter Author, “Securities Litigation and the Economic Crisis,” Aspatore Publishing (2009)
"Tying Arrangements and the Individual Coercion Doctrine," 30 Vand.L.Rev. 755 (1977)
"Recent Developments in Attorneys’ Fees," 29 Vand.L.Rev. 685 (1976)
Chapter Co-author, “Settlement Agreements in Commercial Disputes,” Aspen Publishing
Chapter Author, "The Law of Lawyers' Liability," ABA First Chair Press
Chapter Author, “50 State Survey of Accounting and Auditing Liability Issues," ABA Litigation Section