Eldon J. Shields
Partner- Profile
Experienced Kansas City Attorney
Eldon J. Shields was admitted to the practice of law in the state of Kansas in 1974. He has more than 40 years of active legal experience in business law, general litigation, corporate, real estate, and condemnation/eminent domain law, primarily in the state of Kansas. Mr. Shields joined the predecessor firm to Gates Shields on August 1, 1985, and is a principal shareholder of the firm.
In addition to the state of Kansas, Mr. Shields is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of the District of Kansas, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the 8th and 10th Circuit Courts of Appeals, the United States Court of Claims, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
Mr. Shields’ practice includes a substantial amount of real estate contract negotiation, real estate contract litigation, title insurance litigation, boundary disputes, easement issues, platting, zoning law, and construction. He has substantial experience in interpreting right-of-way and/or construction plans, real estate litigation, and platting and zoning work.
He has first-chaired in excess of 40 jury trials in state and federal court, tried numerous court trials and other hearings before federal and state courts, and has filed and argued multiple appellate cases before the Appellate Courts in Kansas and the Federal Courts. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America in regard to his work in eminent domain.
Mr. Shields has organized corporations and limited liability companies, negotiated and drafted corporate agreements, employment agreements, and purchase/sale agreements for corporate/LLC assets and real estate, drafted and reviewed complex financial documents and transactional documents. He also provides business and corporate advice to multiple clients.
Also, Mr. Shields is the estate planning partner for the firm and has drafted estate planning documents and trusts; handled the probate of estates and the administration of trusts, and litigated contested probate matters.
Mr. Shields has previously served as general counsel to the Kansas Turnpike Authority and outside counsel to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Mr. Shields has provided legal assistance to educational institutions by drafting, revising and modifying the Architectural Contract and Construction Manager Agreement for the Johnson County Community College Health Services Education Center on the campus of the Olathe Medical Center. He also, for many years, served as president of a local not for profit low income housing entity.
Practice Areas
- Eminent domain
- Real estate
- Business litigation
- Small business and corporate law
- Estate planning and probate
Education
- Law School: University of Kansas, 1974
- Undergraduate: University of Kansas, BS in Business Administration and Accounting, 1971
Bar Admissions
- Kansas, 1974
- United States Supreme Court, 1980
- United States Court of Claims, 1981
- United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, 2004
Associations/Organizations
- Kansas Bar Association
- Johnson County Bar Association
- Wyandotte County Bar Association
- Delta Chi