Polsinelli CEO discusses concerns with incoming KC law firm

A small group of Kansas City law firm leaders met Tuesday morning to discuss concerns related to San Francisco-based Littler Mendelson PC's move into the city, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.

"I applaud the vision of those who originally founded the (Kansas City Area Development Council), but I am concerned that some of its current efforts may not be adding net new jobs to the region and may be harmful to existing KC-area businesses," Polsinelli Chairman and CEO Russ Welsh wrote in an email to other law firm leaders. "As you know, the phrase 'net new jobs' is commonly used in discussing the Border War, and I think it should also be part of the analysis when bringing new companies from outside the region to the metro area."

Welsh said Littler Mendelson coming to town would make it difficult to compete for "limited experienced talent in Kansas City."

"We can move jobs to St. Louis or other cities where we have offices," he wrote. "We likely will have to do that as a result of Littler coming into the market."

He met with a small group of law firm leaders Tuesday, including Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP Chairman John Murphy.

Littler Mendelson announced Jan. 9 it would consolidate its 33 administrative offices in Kansas City's Crown Center.

Read more from the Kansas City Business Journal.