Kenisha Sanderson joined Gates Shields as an Associate Attorney in May 2026.
Kenisha brings more than 10 years of litigation experience, with a primary focus on family law matters to the firm. She is also a certified Guardian ad Litem and has extensive experience advocating for children and families involved in complex legal proceedings.
Kenisha takes a holistic and client-centered approach to family law representation. She understands the emotional and financial stress that often accompanies matters involving child custody, child support, parenting time, and property division, and she works closely with clients to help them navigate each stage of the legal process with empathy and clarity.
Kenisha began her legal career as a Staff Attorney with Legal Aid of Western Missouri, where she spent five years representing low-income clients in dissolution of marriage, custody, guardianship, and protection order matters.
She later served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Major Crimes Unit at the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and as a Staff Attorney with the Jackson County Public Administrator’s Office. As an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, she prosecuted Major Crimes, Traffic and Probation Violation cases. At the Jackson County Public Administrator’s Office, she managed estates involving guardianships and conservatorships.
From 2022 through April 2026, Kenisha served as a Guardian ad Litem for children in foster care in Jackson County. In that role, she zealously advocated for the best interests of children by conducting interviews, making recommendations regarding placement, parenting time, and services, and collaborating with Family Support Teams to address each child’s individual needs.
Kenisha grew up in Connecticut and relocated to the Kansas City area in 2011. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law in 2015 with an emphasis in Child and Family Law.
Outside of her practice, Kenisha enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys attending church, traveling, live music, spending time outdoors, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- General Civil Litigation
Education
- J.D., University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law, Kansas City, Missouri, 2015
- Emphasis in Child and Family Law
- B.A., Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut, 2009
Bar Admissions
- Missouri, 2015
- Kansas, pending admission
- Connecticut, 2017
Professional Associations
- Missouri Bar Association
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- Clay County Bar Association
