When Legal Troubles Arise,
30 + Years Experience in Kansas City Criminal Defense & Injury Cases
Delivering the Best Kansas City Legal Help Since 1993
Matt’s vast experience in Kansas City Courtrooms – throughout Missouri and other states, gives him the best insight and well-crafted instinct needed to succeed as your lawyer. There’s a phrase that a good lawyer knows the law, but the best Kansas City Lawyer knows the Judge. That doesn’t mean that the lawyer plays golf with the Judge. It means the best Kansas City Lawyer knows the Judge’s preferences as to procedure, as well as tendencies on certain cases and/or fact patterns. It’s similar to a baseball pitcher knowing that an umpire will call a pitch a strike though the ball may only be on the very smallest edge of the strike zone. Matt has over 30 years of experience sharpening his legal skills in Kansas City so he knows the nuances other attorneys may miss. Those small details may make or break the case.
Criminal Law
Kansas City Criminal Defense
Personal Injury
Kansas City Personal Injury
Family Law
Kansas City Family Law
Success
Matt O’Connor has consistently achieved some of the best results in Kansas City for his clients. He will
often say, “The reputation I’ve earned is only worth the work and results I achieve
today, as well as tomorrow. His formula for success is based on his truly compassionate
and empathetic nature. He cares for his clients as if they are his own brother or sister. He
takes the time to ensure each client is cared for like family. In doing so, he
gets to know the client to “walk a mile in their shoes.”
Mr. O’Connor will tell you that
advocating for someone is only effective if you know who you are advocating for and
why the result is important. And, while Mr. O’Connor is a courteous attorney and
compassionate to his clients. He is also a fierce advocate and when necessary, a
ferocious opponent. This combination makes him one of the best KCMO Lawyers to choose from.
Strategic Fighter
Mr. O’Connor had a trial in a rural county, and the case seemed difficult from the start. Conventional wisdom says defense lawyers should always strike law enforcement officers from the jury. In this trial, a Highway Patrolman was a potential juror. While 99% of lawyers would have dismissed the Trooper, Mr. O’Connor didn’t. During jury selection, he realized the Trooper was an objective, "by-the-book" person.
Mr. O'Connor had also consulted with a local expert who confirmed that the Trooper was fair and principled. When the judge asked if Mr. O’Connor had overlooked the Trooper, he confidently replied, “No, your Honor, that was intentional.”
In the end, his client was acquitted. Mr. O’Connor’s unique combination of experience, instincts, and thorough preparation led to this victory.
Preparedness
To be fully prepared, Mr. O'Connor emphasizes that you need to know what to prepare for, why it’s important, and how to prepare. He often says, “You need to know where you're going if you want to get there. My closing argument is like the final puzzle piece, and I have to gather all the other pieces with each witness and phase of the trial.”
Without the right experience, it’s hard to know how to prepare. Many lawyers, especially those who only worked as assistant prosecutors, haven’t seen cases from the defense’s perspective. They may not understand the potential biases jurors might have against the accused, which can lead to a rush to judgment.
Mr. O’Connor takes a different approach. He builds a strong connection with potential jurors during jury selection, identifying any biases and subtly educating the rest of the jury. He focuses on finding jurors who will be open to the defense, which is a key reason for his consistent success. His attention to detail and rapport with jurors sets him apart.
Dedication
Mr. O’Connor conducts mock trials before EVERY TRIAL, so he is keenly aware of the best potential jurors. (Matt O’Connor takes cases to trial and wins. He is not a “bleed ‘em and plead ‘em attorney.”) He doesn’t ask for a plea (would you go into a car dealership and announce I am going to buy that car today and now let’s negotiate? NO! Matt O’Connor not only kicks the tires but finds the scratches and dents others miss).
So, when the case requires a plea to be negotiated, it is only after he’s hammered it down. Opposing attorneys know that Matt O’Connor will go to trial in cases where no one thinks he can prevail, and then he does. Opposing counsel is well aware that going to trial against Matt is taking a risk. That’s when the plea becomes sweetened to a result that exceeds reasonable expectations. For example, in a case involving several co-defendants - all of the defendants represented by other lawyers agreed to plea terms to a felony. Only Mr. O’Connor’s client remained and through some creative efforts and timely work, Mr. O’Connor entered a “no contest” plea to a low-level misdemeanor with zero jail time.
Why Choose Us
30+ Years of Experience
Kansas City Criminal Lawyer
Top Ranked Nationally
Tireless and fearless defense of your freedom in Kansas City. Matt is always striving to give the best of his best as a Kansas City attorney. The result? A string of “not guilty” verdicts spanning many years
Commited to our Kansas City Personal Injury Clients
Compassionate representation for Kansas City personal injury clients. Matt has recovered millions of dollars for his clients by listening to his clients and understanding what is the best result for them.
Striving to be the best Attorney in Kansas City
Matt’s clients often say he is the best lawyer in Kansas City. Matt shies from such accolades as he says, “My best is today and tomorrow, not what we achieved yesterday.
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Meet Matt O'Connor
It’s not your case,
it’s your life!
Matt is an objective Kansas City lawyer and thoughtful legal commentator. His ability to break down complex legal issues (using common sense and experience) not only for his clients’ cases, but also for the media and has resulted in him being called on numerous times, both for local and national media on high profile cases to explain to the public legal issues at hand. Often considered one of the best attorneys in Kansas City.
Matt became a weekly featured legal commentator for Fox National News speaking on cases such as the Anna Nicole Smith death, OJ Simpson’s 2nd trial (for burglary in Las Vegas), Lindsay Lohan Misdeeds, the Duke Lacrosse Rape case, the Contempt Matter involving the Prosecutor in the Duke Lacrosse case, Michael Devlin Kidnapping case and more. On live TV, here in Kansas City, at Channel 5, he predicted the verdict accurately in the Casey Anthony case weeks before the Jury deliberated.
You may have also seen Matthew on Dr. Phil, TruTV, Court TV, and as a legal commentator on Local Missouri news channels. Matt was recruited by the CW Network in 2015 to host a Television Show. Matt enjoyed the brief break from the practice but was happy to return after the show. Our Kansas City Missouri based law firm offers clients the experience of a nationally recognized attorney, willing to fight for them on State and Federal court levels, for misdemeanor and felony criminal defense cases, personal injury claims, and family law cases in Kansas City.
Matt passed the bar on his first attempt and was admitted to the practice in 1993. Now, over 30 years of experience, advocating and winning for clients. He breaks down often puzzling or confusing terms or procedures so non-lawyers can grasp the concepts and be better informed, less anxious, and able to make reasoned choices in their case and in the future.
RAISING THE BAR, BY LEADING THE PACK
Taking a meticulous, open approach to helping you resolve your legal problems.
Millions in Settlements
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Case Victories
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5* Google Reviews
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We bring Justice to Our Kansas City clients!
We serve clients across Kansas City, fighting incredibly hard to deliver the best results on each case and for each client.
My peers have recognized me as a Super
Lawyer 11 consecutive years in a row.
Matt O'Connor
Kansas City Lawyer