Owner/President: R. Denise Henning
Company: The Henning Law Firm, P.C.
Address: 1044 Main, Ste. 500
Kansas City, MO 64105
Phone: (816) 221-8442
E-mail:
Web Site: www.henninglawpc.com
Type of Business: Law Firm
Year Founded: 2002

The Henning Law Firm, P.C. is a trial law firm with a strong commitment to client focus. We represent plaintiffs who have been victims of personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice and transportation-related injuries.

I founded the law firm after nine years with a firm that did both defense and plaintiffs work because I wanted to represent plaintiffs exclusively and to have more control over the types of cases I handled. I believe people who have been injured have a right to a great lawyer, one who has the academic and practice credentials to represent Fortune 500 companies, but also a lawyer who has the compassion to represent those in need.
The philosophy of Henning Law is that ordinary citizens should be on a level playing field with the insurance companies. Our clients have experienced a tragic injury or death, which has turned their lives upside down. Most of them have never hired a lawyer before. Our job is to zealously pursue the legal remedies that will help them pay medical bills, replace lost wages and plan for their future.

Personal Wealth
Owning my own law firm has allowed me flexibility in many areas that I didn't have before. I now have complete control of my finances. I am no longer dependent on the financial success or failure of someone else's business. I have the flexibility to invest in my business while taking care of my employees and planning for retirement.

Community Wealth
In addition to myself, The Henning Law Firm has three full-time employees and one part-time employee. We have excellent employee benefits, including health insurance, life insurance and a retirement plan. We are dedicated to taking care of our employees, helping them save for retirement and planning for the long-term financial security of their families.

Social Wealth
I believe community involvement and commitment are essential to our society. I am involved in local, state and national politics in an effort to make sure that the politicians we elect represent the best interests of all Americans, not just big business and insurance companies. I believe in human rights and am dedicated to making sure our elected officials protect the rights of every citizen.

Giving back to the community and to my profession are responsibilities I take very seriously. I am a past president of the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City. I serve on the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Board of Governors. I am the chair of the Tort Law Committee of the Missouri Bar. I serve on the Federal Practice Committee for the United States Federal Court-Western District of Missouri. And, I am a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the American Association for Justice.

I served on the board of directors of Sheffield Place for six years and was the president of the board for two years. Sheffield Place is a local long-term transitional living facility and educational program for homeless women and their children. I also have served on the board of directors of the Women's Intersport Network of Kansas City.

Financing
I financed the law firm initially with personal funds and a bank loan. In a plaintiffs' law practice, all the cases are taken on a contingent fee basis, meaning that we don't get paid until the case settles or we go to trial and obtain a verdict. Our law firm advances the expenses to pursue the case prior to settlement or verdict. Our line of credit is very important in cases where it takes two or three years to achieve a settlement or verdict.

Support System
I find support from my lawyer colleagues in the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. The relationships I have built with other members of the bar are invaluable.

Accomplishments
I am most proud of our continuing devotion to families and injured individuals. We fight for the underdog and represent people who often have no one to be an advocate for them. Although we have proven our legal skill repeatedly with numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, the relationships with our clients and the trust we build with them is our most significant accomplishment.

Challenge
My greatest challenge as a woman business owner is balancing work commitments with family commitments. I have two sons, ages 8 and 4. Trial practice is demanding and time intensive, especially when we are preparing to go to trial. Keeping up with the demands of trial practice while at the same time spending the time that I want with my family is a constant challenge.