Cara Rose is a Partner in Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP’s Springfield office and a member of the firm’s Tort & Catastrophic Loss and Labor & Employment Law practice groups. An experienced trial attorney, Mrs. Rose represents businesses, employers, and individuals in complex litigation matters throughout Missouri and the Midwest. Her practice is focused on defending high-exposure claims, managing sensitive investigations, and helping clients navigate challenging legal and workplace issues.

Mrs. Rose focuses her litigation practice on multi-party litigation, complex torts, and catastrophic loss matters. She has extensive experience defending high-stakes claims involving serious bodily injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and other complex liability disputes. Her strategic approach and trial experience have made her a trusted advocate for clients facing significant exposure.

Mrs. Rose has significant experience representing employers in labor and employment matters, including employment practices liability claims involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, workplace misconduct, and other employment-related disputes. She counsels employers on risk management, workplace policies, internal investigations, and litigation avoidance strategies, while also defending businesses through all stages of litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Her employment practice is particularly strengthened by her experience handling highly sensitive allegations involving sexual misconduct, abuse, and human trafficking claims. She regularly advises employers, educational institutions, healthcare providers, residential care facilities, and other organizations facing complex workplace and liability issues, helping them respond to claims while minimizing legal and reputational risk.

A substantial component of Mrs. Rose’s practice is the defense of organizations and individuals facing allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse, and human trafficking. She regularly handles sensitive, high-profile matters involving complex factual and legal issues, helping clients navigate investigations, litigation, and risk-management concerns.

Mrs. Rose represents individuals and corporate clients across a variety of industries, including:

• Pharmacies
• Nursing homes and residential care facilities
• Treatment and healthcare facilities
• Educational institutions
• Homeowners’ associations
• Builders and contractors
• Commercial and residential businesses

In addition to defending litigation, she frequently advises clients on risk assessment, claim evaluation, early resolution strategies, and alternative dispute resolution, helping organizations efficiently manage disputes and reduce potential liability.

Mrs. Rose is a recipient of the distinguished Lon O. Hocker Award from the Missouri Bar Foundation. She has also been recognized through numerous professional honors, including:

• Powerlist – Business Defense Lawyers
• Super Lawyers Rising Star
• Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
• The Best Lawyers in America® – Personal Injury Litigation (Defense)
• Lawyer of the Year (2023)

These recognitions reflect her reputation as a leading defense attorney and trial advocate.

Mrs. Rose is a member of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association and the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. She is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a member of both the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute.

She has been elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), one of the most prestigious organizations of defense and corporate counsel in the country. Mrs. Rose is the only FDCC member practicing in southwest Missouri.

She also serves as President of the Board of Directors for Sporting Springfield, reflecting her commitment to leadership and service within her community.