My name is Jarrett Johnson. I have spent my entire career as a trial attorney here in Kansas City, Missouri. For three decades, I have had the privilege of representing everyday people when their lives have been upended by catastrophic injury, death, and psychological trauma — caused by the negligence and carelessness of individuals and corporations. These cases involve serious personal injuries and wrongful death, sex abuse at religious schools, injuries to children in foster care, automobile accidents, railroad crossing injuries and other injuries to railroad workers, injuries on private and public premises, and injuries/deaths caused by dangerously defective products.
I have first-chaired more than three dozen jury trials in my career. In 2000, when I was just 30 years old, the Missouri Bar Foundation presented me with the Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award in recognition of my outstanding trial skills. Since the award was created in the 1950s, less than 200 lawyers in the history of the State of Missouri have received this honor. Federal and state judges in Missouri have regularly asked me to volunteer my time to teach young lawyers how to prepare and present their cases to a jury. I also spent many years as a volunteer professor of trial advocacy at UMKC Law School — where I earned my Juris Doctor in 1993.
I share this information about myself so that you may get a sense of who I am, both the lawyer and the person. I detail some of my past achievements and recognition to let you know more about me, who I have represented, and what you can expect if you entrust me to bring you justice and closure—not to bolster my ego. A lawyer cannot be so consumed with his own ego and perceived greatness that he misses something important in your case. Every case must be approached with a fresh awareness and desire to learn the truth. While past success is one factor to consider, the past means nothing when it comes to your case.
Our legal system can work to help people who have suffered injury and loss. The system is not perfect, but time and again—when a client’s story is properly and completely told by an effective voice of a caring and hard-working lawyer—justice may be done.
People seek out a lawyer when life is at its worst. I always get to know my clients, and see them as people — not files or fees. I welcome the opportunity to listen to you, and use my abilities as a lawyer to help you through whatever you are facing.