Justin R. Watkins
Associate
Justin R. Watkins is a skilled trial attorney and senior associate at SAKG who focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice defense, construction law, and commercial disputes. Justin is trusted for his methodical approach to every case, and his close collaboration with clients and case teams to fully understand goals, to implement efficient and effective litigation strategies, and to safeguard and protect client interests and reputations both inside and outside the courtroom.
About
Justin R. Watkins is a senior associate at SAKG that bringssignificant courtroom and trial experience to the representation of hisclients. Dedicated to the art of trial advocacy, Justin has spent hiscareer honing skills as a litigator and advocate to achieve favorable results forhis clients both inside and outside the courtroom in high-stakes litigation. Deliberatein preparation, and decisive in the courtroom, Justin approaches each case asif it will be tried – and is ready when trial is needed.
From the courtroom to arbitration, Justin is athome in any dispute resolution venue and has successfully lead trial andarbitration teams through multi-week jury trials and hearings. With extensivelitigation experience spanning a wide range of matters, Justin has successfullynavigated complex, multi-party disputes involving claims of serious injury andwrongful death, product liability, and construction and design defect. To eachcase, Justin brings a disciplined focus on positioning the case for thestrongest possible outcome, all while maintaining a commitment to clientservice through communication, collaboration, and counsel. In addition, Justinhas leveraged his construction litigation experience to assist clients in thedrafting and negotiation of multi-million dollar construction and designcontracts, positioning clients to best manage and avoid risk, and toeffectively and fairly resolve disputes when they do arise.
Areas of Practice
Education

- J.D., John Marshall Law School, 2007
Honors and Activities:
- Valedictorian
- The JohnMarshall Law Review,Editor-in-Chief, 2006-2007
- Dean's Scholarship
- Herzog Scholarship
- CALI Excellencefor the Future Award in various practice areas, including Contracts, Torts, andEmployment Law
- B.A., Valparaiso University, 2004
Honors and Activities:
- The National Dean's List, 2004
- Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society, Social Sciences
- Phi Alpha Theta International Honor Society, History
Bar Admissions

- Missouri
- Western District of Missouri
- Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District - District of Kansas
- Southern District of Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals- 7th Circuit
Results

- Defended international medical device manufacturer in 58 separate lawsuits spanning over 5 years against complex allegations of product liability and negligence.
- Obtained substantial arbitration award as lead counsel for healthcare client following multi-week arbitration hearing involving claims of costly defects in construction work performed by general contractor and structural materials supplier.
- Co-lead on trial team that obtained jury verdict for client injured in a motor vehicle collision who suffered a mild-traumatic brain injury and associated complications when rear-ended by a commercial vehicle.
- Member of trial team that obtained jury verdict against automobile manufacturer on claims of defects in the design of airbag and restraint systems in client’s vehicle that resulted in enhanced injuries suffered by client in motor vehicle collision.
- Served as primary counsel in numerous product liability and trucking cases involving a wide variety of issues, including: failure to equip advanced driver assistance systems; defective design of various vehicle components and systems; violation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR); negligent hiring, training,and supervision; and, negligent selection of brokers and motor carriers.
- Positioned a multinational structural engineering firm to achieve favorable resolution through mediation of a multi-party construction lawsuit following years of contentious litigation over numerous claims, counterclaims, and cross claims,including a multimillion-dollar design-defect claim affecting multiple disciplines.
- Obtained summary judgment on multiple claims asserted against client in multimillion dollar commercial dispute, substantially limiting amounts in controversy and positioning the case for favorable resolution on eve of trial.
- Successfully litigated mechanic’s lien enforcement action for construction manager’s claims against bankrupt property owner in state and then federal bankruptcy court to a pre-trial resolution allowing the client to obtain recovery from bank holding junior lien on the subject property.
- Successfully litigated mechanic’s lien enforcement action against a general contractor and property owner on behalf of a construction project materials supplier to a pre-trial resolution allowing client to obtain recovery from bank holding junior lien on the subject property.
- After intensive discovery, document review and analysis, and extensive legal research and motion practice, positioned case involving a commercial dispute in excess of $1 million for favorable resolution at mediation for a fraction of the complaining party’s original claim.
Awards & Recognition

- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Bar Leadership Academy 2016
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Ross T. Roberts Trial Academy 2017
- SuperLawyers, Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars, 2015-2021
Publications

- Lead Author, Collision Avoidance Technology and its Role as the Next Frontier in Motor Vehicle Products Liability, Trial Journal, Winter 2023
- Presenter, Construction Defect Litigation: From A to Z, Litigation: Allegations, Defenses, and Proving Your Case, National Business Institute (National Teleconference), 2018
- Presenter, Construction Law: What Do You Do When Seminar, National Business Institute, 2016
- Presenter, Fundamentals of Construction Contracts in Missouri, Seminar, 2014









