John P. O'Connor

Kansas City Business Journal “Best of the Bar” Kansas City’s Top Attorneys chosen by their peers Best Lawyers in America Criminal Defense: General Practice & White Collar Crime 2005-2026 Best Lawyers in America’s Kansas City, MO Criminal Defense: Non-White Collar Crime “Lawyer of the Year” John O’Connor's practice is focused on criminal law, white collar criminal defense, and complex criminal litigation in both state and federal courts. He began his law career as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County, Missouri. He was promoted to trial director where he supervised 40 attorneys and handled a major felony criminal trial docket. In that role, he prosecuted major crimes and oversaw attorneys handling hundreds of criminal cases each year.

In 1987, John entered private practice. For more than 35 years, he has been recognized by his peers and news publications as one of Kansas City's top criminal defense attorneys. He has tried cases before juries in federal and state courts in Kansas and Missouri, including numerous high profile and complex matters as well as death penalty cases. His cases have received news coverage locally and nationally.

A case he defended that became known as the “FBI Sting Murder Trial was aired nationally on Court TV. After listening to John's closing argument, Nancy Grace gave him an A+. See below for a list of John's other notable representations.