Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynne Bratcher.
Hi Lynne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I got out of law school in 1983, there was a recession. While I was looking for a job, I wanted to do trial work. My resume included that I was married with a son. Several of the interviewing lawyers (all men) asked me how I thought I could be a trial lawyer and be a mother, too. So, I decided to open a sole practice. I had lawyers I could go to for advice. I started doing independent contracting work for a small trial firm, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Eventually, I became an associate and then a partner with the firm. I tried several cases to a jury, the first one in June 1984 with an experienced female lawyer, Martha Hickman, one of the first female attorneys in Kansas City.I was first chair, but she not only knew the judge well, she authored the instructions. In 1984, petitions required specific prayers for damages. Martha’s petition asked for $85,000 in this slip and fall case. The demand was for $12,000 and the offer was $10,000, so we went to trial. The jury awarded $85,000, the full amount of the prayers. After that, I erroneously thought civil trials were easy.
In 1994, I was accepted to Gerry Spence’s first Trial Lawyers College at the Spence ranch in Dubois, Wyoming. The Trial Lawyer’s College changed my life and career. I had been gravitating towards plaintiffs’ employment discrimination and civil rights work. I am a first generation American. My mother and grandparents barely escaped Nazi Germany in late October 1938. We are Jewish. Many of my relatives were killed at Auschwitz’. The Trial Lawyers College gave me the courage to start my own plaintiffs’ discrimination firm. My law school friend,Marie Gockel, started the firm Bratcher & Gockel with me in January 1995. This area of the law was relatively new and we developed a niche. We tried many cases, I spoke at seminars, so we never had to advertize. We represented compelling plaintiffs and thrived in our small firm. Around 2023, Marie retired. I have a new younger partner, Erin Vernon.
This year, two of our three longstanding, hardworking, staff retired. As I am 72 years old, married 51 years, with two grown children, I decided to cut back, but not retire. I am moving into another law firm to share space along with our remaining staff, Bob Jaben, who is also my brother. Erin Vernon is becoming a partner at another firm. I am excited about the new venture. My career has been so rewarding and I am very proud of the work we are doing. ‘
Along with this recent change, I decided to make a small personal change – dyeing my hair teal and lavender. I had always felt nervous to dye my hair before because of appearing in front of judges and jurors. Now I am more self-confident and decided to do what I want. I am still practicing plaintiffs’ trial law, still married, with two dogs and one cat as my pseudo-grandchildren.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was an early female civil trial lawyer. I had few role models. When I was younger, some male attorneys called me “dear” and “honey.” A federal judge once ordered me not to cry in trial. In a recent trial, a male lawyer called my partner and me “Assholes.” We have a contingent fee practice and it can be feast or famine. Sometimes, I refer to myself as a professional gambler. Twice, I reported male lawyers who had previously represented my clients because the male lawyers had had sex or had sexually harassed their clients. One other time, I sued a judge for sexually harassing a female working in his building. He was disbarred. Dealing with these sexual issues is difficult and does not promote camaraderie.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bratcher Gockel Law, LC. or Lynne Bratcher Law,L.L.C.?
I am a trial lawyer. I represent people who have been discriminated against because of race, gender, age or disability. I also represent courageous whistleblowers. My most proud moments are when my representation has helped a person attain a modicum of justice. My last trial with my partner not only achieved justice for our whistleblower client, but also created major changes in local government. There are few women-owned civil trial firms. If we were not the first in the Kansas City area, we were among the first.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Internet legal research and a local employment lawyers group have aided us the most we must engage in considerable legal research in our field. I just started using Lexi’s/Nexis AI as a research and drafting tool. I love my iPad.
Pricing:
- We practice on a contingent fee basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bgklawyers.com
