The POWER List: William J. Sanders

Polsinelli, Kansas City

When the Kansas City Chiefs found themselves on the hook for nearly $1 million in sales and use taxes for items used to renovate Arrowhead Stadium in 2019, the team turned to Bill Sanders for help.

The team chose wisely. With Sanders on its side, the team successfully petitioned the Missouri Supreme Court to review the decision issued by the Administrative Hearing Commission. In 2020, the high court reversed the commission’s ruling, holding that the AHC erred in determining the team was the purchaser of the contested items.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Sanders was an accountant and Certified Public Accountant at the former Ernst & Whinney. He earned his law degree in 1983 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

He has practiced at Polsinelli since 1985. Today he is a shareholder of the firm, and he serves as its treasurer and chair of its tax practice.

Sanders often represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service, including guiding them through audits, appeals and in tax court. He also represents clients in transactional matters.

He has extensive experience working on tax matters in the area of commercial mortgage-backed securities relating to real estate mortgage investment conduits. He also has helped draft legislative and regulatory changes to REMIC rules.