Mara Cohara

Career

As Leader of the Environmental and Tort Practice Group and a member of the firm's Executive Committee, Mara Cohara focuses her practice on litigation matters involving toxic tort, nuisance, product liability, premises liability, breach of warranty and the defense of religious institutions. She has significant experience coordinating large-scale "bet the company" matters and defending high-profile lawsuits that involve media and community attention.

Mara defends companies and religious institutions in jury trials, mediations and arbitrations. Her track record spans state and federal courts in more than 20 states and includes multiple outcomes favorable to her defendant clients in notoriously "plaintiff-friendly" venues. She advises clients in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, religious organizations, agribusiness and hospitality. Mara is well-versed in managing litigation teams under alternative fee arrangements, including phased fees and flat fees, and has spoken on the issue to the Association of Corporate Counsel and other organizations.

Mara has an established track record of bringing adversarial parties to agreement. She is an effective and efficient advocate throughout the litigation process, often securing summary judgment dismissals, discovery victories and favorable settlements for her clients. Her "bulldog with a bow-tie" reputation is built on resolving issues and her take-charge attitude.

She is active in many civic and legal organizations, serving as a board member with groups including Camp Fire, Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge Foundation, Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation.