- Biography
- Bar Admissions & Education
- Honors & Memberships
Meet Jeff:
I went to law school to help people navigate the most difficult situations in which people find themselves. After law school, I clerked for the Honorable Stephen R. Bough in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. There, I had the privilege of working on many different types of cases brought in federal court, from massive class action lawsuits to relatively small criminal cases.
Then, I became a public defender. In that capacity, I represented people experiencing some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. As a public defender, I successfully litigated hundreds of cases in trial courts around Missouri and argued hundreds of appeals before the Missouri Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Missouri. I am still one of the winningest appellate attorneys to ever work for the Missouri Public Defender’s Office.
Being a public defender taught me that no case is impossible, that no case is a “minor” case when it can alter a person’s life, and that being the most prepared person in the room can change an entire case.
I was eventually promoted to run the Children’s Defense Team for the Greater St. Louis area. That position made me realize my true passion: helping families. Representing children in horrible circumstances helped me recognize the importance of having workable family dynamics, with functional homes being absolutely critical.
I also have a soft spot for working through mental health issues with clients. Both personal and professional experiences have helped me gain true compassion for families struggling with mental health diagnoses and symptoms.
When you are looking for an attorney experienced with every possible stage of litigation, and when you need to protect your family and assets, I’m here to be your advocate.
Bar Admissions
- Missouri
Education
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New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico B.A.
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University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri M.P.A. & J.D.
Representative Cases
- J.A.T. v. Jackson County. Juvenile Office, 637 S.W.3d 1 (Missouri Supreme Court 2022) – holding that a child has a right to be physically present in court for his trial
- C.A.R.A. v. Jackson County. Juvenile Office, 637 S.W.3d 50 (Missouri Supreme Court 2022) – holding it unconstitutional for a child to have a trial by video
- Interest of C.A.M., 644 S.W.3d 600 (Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District 2022) – holding that a child cannot be prosecuted as an adult based on evidence taken outside of his presence
- Fox v. State, 640 S.W.3d 744 (Missouri Supreme Court 2022) – holding that public defenders have the right to free speech
- Interest of J.R.K., 643 S.W.3d 141 (Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District 2022) – holding that a child cannot be charged with a crime for failing to appear in court
- P.L.S. v. Juvenile Officer, 651 S.W.3d 885 (Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District 2022) – holding that a child cannot be found guilty of violating a family court order
- A.J.L.G. v. Juvenile Officer, 679 S.W.3d 556, 559 (Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District 2023) – holding that the court cannot let a child’s attorney plead a child guilty without his participation in the hearing
- D.H.C. v. Juvenile Officer, 674 S.W.3d 804 (Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District 2023) – holding that Missouri family court does not have subject-matter jurisdiction to adjudicate federal claims
