Shook, Hardy & Bacon has been committed to legal excellence, community involvement and a collegial firm environment for over a century. Founded in 1889 by Frank P. Sebree, SHB quickly became “the” law practice in Kansas City by attracting the region’s top legal talent. Now a litigation powerhouse with nine offices worldwide, SHB enjoys a record of success built on the veteran lawyers, long-standing client relationships and diverse expertise that distinguished the firm from its beginning. Frank Payne Sebree started his career in Marshall, Missouri, as a well-respected attorney and member of the 1888 state legislature. After declining a second term in favor of private practice, Frank relocated to Kansas City to take part in the area’s exponential growth. One of his first partners, Henry C. McDougal, served as a special prosecutor in the murder trial of the notorious outlaw Frank James. In 1911, Samuel B. Sebree entered his father’s practice, where he represented a prominent railway company that is still counted among SHB clients. The Sebrees were later joined by another Marshall lawyer named Edgar Shook, who received the city’s first “Man of the Year” award for cleaning up corrupt local politics; famed trial attorney Charlie L. Bacon; and products liability pioneer David R. Hardy. The latter in particular garnered the firm a reputation for crafting meticulous, creative and cost-effective strategies capable of winning contentious cases.