Jennifer M. Baird
Jennifer Baird practices in the areas of general municipal law, land use planning and zoning, public facility/infrastructure, construction and financing, economic development law, public works contracts, annexation, and dangerous building and nuisance abatement law. Jennifer joined Lauber Municipal Law in 2015, was named a partner in 2019, and became a member in 2024. Prior to joining the firm, Jennifer worked for a boutique law firm in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, that specialized in representing municipalities and served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Lee’s Summit, with a focus on development and redevelopment of property. In her role with the City of Lee’s Summit, Jennifer provided legal advice to the Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation, Human Resources, Administration, Purchasing, Water Utilities, and Information Technology departments. Prior to attending law school, Jennifer was motivated to pursue a legal career by her experience as a paralegal at the White Goss law firm in which she specialized in bringing development to communities.
Education
- University of Missouri-Kansas City, J.D., 2004
- University of Missouri-Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1995
Bar Admissions
Missouri, 2004
Relevant Legal Experience
- City Attorney for multiple Missouri cities
- Special Counsel for human resources and employment matters to MIRMA
- General Counsel to: Downtown Excelsior Springs Community Improvement District, Westside Community Improvement District, Vintage Plaza Community Improvement District, Harrisonville Town Center Transportation Development District, and the Mount Pleasant Township Special Road District
- Assisted with special projects in: Branson (Administrative Hearing Process, Formation of 76 Entertainment Community Improvement District); Sugar Creek (Red Flag Rule training, preparation of TIF Annual Reports, FLSA requirements); Odessa (Board of Zoning Adjustment); Pleasant Valley (financing for Fire Station building, Planning and Zoning matters); and Liberty (formation of the Historic Downtown Liberty Commercial Community Improvement District)
- Assisted with economic development projects in: Grandview, Branson, Sedalia, and Pleasant Valley
- Served as in-house legal counsel for a home rule charter city providing legal advice to the administration, finance, purchasing, human resources, information technology, planning and development, parks and recreation, and water utilities departments and provided opinions and advice to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Park Board, City Council and City Council subcommittees
- Managed several phases of a road project, drafted key real estate documents, negotiated and drafted construction contracts and settlement agreements while keeping the project team and key stakeholders informed of the progress of the project
- Conducted dangerous building and nuisance abatement hearings
- Instrumental in forming Community Improvement Districts, Transportation Development Districts, and Neighborhood Improvement Districts in the Kansas City area
- Assisted several communities with forming Enhanced Enterprise Zones
- Developed and directed approximately $500,000,000 of commercial, office, upscale retail and mixed-use development and improvements within the Kansas City metropolitan area through the use of economic development tools, such as, Tax Increment Financing, Transportation Development District, Community Improvement District, and Neighborhood Improvement District incentives
- Complex contract negotiations for real estate development including leasing, transportation, utilities and infrastructure, and cooperative agreements
Professional Affiliations
- The Missouri Bar
- Missouri Municipal League
- Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association
- Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association, Board of Directors, 2024 – present
- International Municipal Lawyer’s Association
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