W. Joseph Hatley

Missouri

Spencer Fane LLP
1000 Walnut Street
Suite 1400
Kansas City, MO 64106

Tel: 816.292.8392

Email: jhatley@spencerfane.com
Web: www.spencerfane.com

Professional Biography

Joe Hatley is a civil and commercial litigator who helps educational institutions navigate a myriad of federal and state laws so they can meet the increasing demands of lawmakers, parents, and students.

His extensive work for educators – often among the largest employers in their communities – provides a natural segue to his work for other private and public employers. For instance, he defends discrimination and retaliation suits brought under Missouri laws, which are among the friendliest to employees in the nation. He also defends wage and hour claims, and provides wise counsel to clients with other employment law questions.

In addition to supporting educational institutions, Joe defends employers in disputes with both employees and regulators, while also maintaining an active practice across a variety of business disputes.

Joe’s broad experience includes drafting policies and contracts, advising on how to comply with employment laws, and trying cases when claims are asserted against his clients, including claims alleging high-stakes constitutional violations. He also has years of trial experience handling business disputes across a wide range of industries, including trials involving construction, eminent domain, banking, aviation, and property valuation.

Professional Memberships
  • American Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association
  • Kansas Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys

  • Conducted a high-profile internal investigation into allegations that public school officials retaliated against a co-worker for “whistleblowing” about the misuse of public funds.
  • Consistently prevailed at special education due process hearings, and in the process, helped to develop favorable legal precedents in federal courts that have resulted in a substantial decrease in the number of such claims being filed.
  • Successfully defended against statutory and constitutional challenges the right of local school districts to receive over $36 million in sales tax revenues that had been approved by voters.
  • Successfully defended school districts throughout the region in administrative due process hearings in which the adequacy of educational programs for disabled children have been challenged.
  • Successfully defended school administrators against a claim that they violated a student’s rights in the course of taking disciplinary action against the student for making threats of physical violence, obtaining a jury verdict in favor of those administrators.
  • Successfully argued for the dismissal of a suit alleging that a local school district breached a contract involving the purchase of real estate intended for use as a school, where the school district later sold the property at a profit when it determined the property was no longer suitable for a school due to surrounding development.

Having represented educational institutions and educators for decades, we know how to resolve the wide variety of issues that confront them – helping teachers and administrators understand and navigate laws and regulations governing schools and, importantly, avoiding litigation.

Spencer Fane attorneys advise on the full range of issues facing K-12 educators, including teacher tenure and termination, student discipline, students’ rights, special education, athletics eligibility, contract negotiation, policy development, administrative compliance, complaint investigations, and personnel matters. We also provide training and in-service assistance to staff members at all levels.

Higher Education

Spencer Fane Higher Education attorneys help public and private universities and colleges address the complex legal issues unique to higher education. Working closely with boards of trustees, CEOs, athletic directors, and general counsel, we tailor solutions that help clients further their organizational objectives and interests.

As a full-service firm, we also help universities protect their investments by assisting with transactional issues, such as vendor and employment contracts, intercollegiate sports contracts, and intellectual property protection.

Spencer Fane LLP is a full-service U.S. law firm providing comprehensive legal counsel to businesses, financial institutions, governmental entities, and individuals across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1879, the firm has developed a strong reputation for delivering practical, solutions-oriented advice supported by deep regional roots and a growing national presence. Spencer Fane emphasizes client collaboration and efficiency, combining legal experience with a business-minded approach designed to help clients manage risk, resolve disputes, and achieve strategic objectives.

The firm maintains offices across key markets throughout the United States, including Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Chicago, Tampa, and Los Angeles, among others. This broad geographic footprint enables Spencer Fane to serve clients at both regional and national levels, supporting middle-market companies, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers, construction and real estate developers, and public sector organizations with locally informed yet nationally coordinated legal services.

Spencer Fane offers a wide array of practice capabilities, including commercial litigation, corporate and business transactions, labor and employment, real estate, construction law, financial services, healthcare, intellectual property, environmental law, and government affairs. The firm is particularly recognized for its strengths in litigation, business and tax planning, and industry-focused advisory work, assisting clients through complex regulatory environments, high-value transactions, and sophisticated dispute resolution matters.

“Joe is widely recommended for education and employment litigation across Missouri. Clients praise his steady defense of wage and hour and retaliation suits, and peers highlight his depth in navigating regulatory scrutiny and sensitive workplace disputes.”
The Education Lawyers, 2025