Our Mission
Scarborough Law Office is committed to serving fire service professionals and public safety agencies with practical, experience-driven legal counsel. Grounded in decades of leadership and firsthand service, we help departments navigate complex legal and administrative challenges with clarity, integrity, and a service-first mindset.
Carl’s mission is to continue serving the fire service community long after stepping out of uniform. Drawing on decades of frontline and executive leadership experience, he provides practical legal counsel that protects departments, supports leaders, and strengthens the organizations that protect our communities.
Carl Scarborough
Founder/Attorney
Carl Scarborough didn’t come to the practice of law through a traditional path — he built his legal career on a foundation of service, leadership, and decades inside the fire service.
Carl began as a volunteer firefighter more than thirty years ago before joining the Central Jackson County Fire District as a full-time firefighter. Over the next 23+ years, he rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as Assistant Chief over the Training Division. In 2016, he was selected to lead the Sni Valley Fire District as Fire Chief. He retired from active fire service in 2020 after a distinguished career dedicated to protecting communities and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
While serving full-time as a captain, Carl pursued a lifelong goal of becoming an attorney. He earned his law degree in 2012 — achieving multiple Dean’s List honors — all while continuing to work full time in the fire service. That discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence continue to shape his legal practice today.
Carl’s decades in fire and emergency services give him something few attorneys possess: firsthand understanding of the culture, operational realities, and leadership challenges facing fire districts and public safety agencies. His approach is grounded in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and a service-first mindset honed over a lifetime of leadership.
Since entering private practice in 2013, Carl has focused on serving fire service professionals and public agencies with practical, experience-driven legal counsel.
He is the author of the Firehouse Legal blog and regularly writes on industry-related topics for trade publications. Carl also presents at conferences and Fire/EMS seminars nationwide and provides department-level training and consulting on leadership, governance, and administrative best practices.
Carl Scarborough receiving award from State Fire Marshall
Sni Valley Fire Protection District Annual Awards Ceremony, 2019
John Fisher
Associate Attorney
John Fisher is a fourth-generation firefighter and associate attorney at Scarborough Law Office, bringing both frontline experience and legal training to his work with fire service professionals and public agencies.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, John graduated from Bishop Miege High School in 2013 and earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Film & Media Studies and English from the University of Kansas in 2017. In February 2018, he entered the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department Fire Academy and currently serves on Pumper 18.
While continuing his service in the fire department, John pursued his law degree at the University of Missouri School of Law, graduating in 2024 and passing the Missouri Bar that same year. He joined Scarborough Law Office as a law clerk during law school and transitioned to associate attorney upon admission to the bar.
John works closely with fire protection districts and local government entities, offering counsel shaped by his firsthand understanding of the fire service. He has a particular passion for firefighter-focused estate planning, workers’ compensation matters, and helping firefighters navigate everyday legal needs, including business formation and contract review.
As both a firefighter and attorney, John is committed to protecting those who protect their communities.
Sierra Beal
Paralegal
Sierra rejoined Scarborough Law Office in January 2026, bringing with her valuable legal experience and a strong foundation in client service and case management.
She began her legal career in 2021 as a secretary and receptionist before advancing to legal assistant under Carl Scarborough. After expanding her experience at the firm of Oswald Rew, Sierra returned to Scarborough Law Office as a paralegal and executive assistant.
In her current role, Sierra supports the firm’s work with fire protection districts and estate planning clients, assisting with case preparation, document management, client communication, and administrative coordination. Her attention to detail and organizational skills help ensure matters move efficiently and clients feel supported throughout the process.
Sierra earned her Associate’s Degree from Metropolitan Community College in 2022 and completed specialized paralegal training through the Center for Legal Studies that same year. She is a graduate of Odessa High School.