Mark S. Bryant Joins Sonnenschein

January 31, 2005

 (KANSAS CITY, MO., January 31, 2005)--Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP announced today that Mark S. Bryant has joined the law firm as a partner in its Kansas City, Missouri, office and a member of the firm’s Real Estate practice.

“Mark is one of the top real estate attorneys in Kansas City, with unparalleled expertise in complex real estate transactions and finance projects,” said James A. Heeter, managing partner of Sonnenschein’s Kansas City office.  “He’s uniquely qualified to help our clients make their real estate developments a success.”

Bryant has extensive experience in the area of real estate law, with emphasis on economic development incentives, redevelopment law, public procurement, public infrastructure financing, condemnation/relocation benefits, planning, zoning and land use.  He has represented clients whose redevelopment efforts include retail office parks, institutional uses, retail/commercial shopping districts, multi-family housing developments and single-family residential subdivisions.

“Sonnenschein’s reputation in the real estate community is unmatched,” explained Bryant.  “I look forward to working with its impressive team of lawyers on the many building projects already slated and those yet to come that are so important to continuing commercial and cultural vibrancy of Kansas City.”

A leader in civic, community and philanthropic organizations, Bryant is president of the Negro League Baseball Museum and Freedom, Inc., a political organization comprised primarily of members of Kansas City’s African-American community.  In 1997, he received the Up and Comers Award.  Active in politics, Bryant is a member of the Democratic National Committee and a former member of the City Council of Kansas City. 

Heeter and Bryant have been friends since 1983, when both were elected to the City Council of Kansas City, Missouri.  At the time, they were among the youngest persons elected to at-large positions.  Heeter stated that he welcomed the reunion with Bryant, noting that "we worked well together on the City Council years ago and I know that Mark will be a great addition to our firm, both in the Kansas City and national practices.  We are delighted to have him as a part of the Sonnenschein team."

Bryant received his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and a B.S. in political science from Central Missouri State University.  He joins Sonnenschein from Polsinelli Shalton Welte & Suelthaus.

Sonnenschein, with more than 700 attorneys and other professionals in nine U.S. cities and a global reach, serves the legal needs of many of the world’s largest and best-known businesses, nonprofits and individuals.  For more information, visit www.sonnenschein.com.

Media Contact:
Linda Butler
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP 
(312) 876-3453
LButler@sonnenschein.com