Geoffrey D. Kearney

Geoffrey D. Kearney

The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC
  • Appeals & Appellate, Employment Law, Criminal Law ...
  • Arkansas, Missouri
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Biography

As a general practice attorney, I assist people and businesses in a host of areas, including personal injury, employment discrimination, criminal defense, divorces, and appeals. I am based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and accept cases throughout Arkansas and in some parts of Missouri (primarily the greater Kansas City and St. Louis areas). I look forward to discussing the possibility of working with you on your legal matter.

Practice Areas
    Appeals & Appellate
    Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
    Employment Law
    Employment Discrimination, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
    Criminal Law
    Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
    Personal Injury
    Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
    Family Law
    Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
    Business Law
    Business Litigation
    Civil Rights
    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Police Misconduct
    Insurance Claims
    Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance
    Probate
    Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
    Products Liability
    Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Arkansas
Arkansas Judiciary
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Missouri
The Missouri Bar
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC
Current
Judicial Law Clerk
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Judicial Law Clerk
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Education
Harvard University
B.A. | Government
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University of Arkansas School of Law
J.D. (2012)
Honors: Cum Laude
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Professional Associations
Arkansas State Bar
Member
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Both Sides of the Coin: Arkansas’ New Child Support Guidelines
The Arkansas Lawyer
Websites & Blogs
Website
Legal Answers
3 Questions Answered
Q. Can a mother deny father visitation if they were never married and there is no court agreement? Assq
A: Possibly. Outside of the parents being married when the child is born or going to court, paternity can also be established by signing an Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity, which is generally made available at the hospital when the child is born. If paternity has not been established by any other manner, the father is likely to be considered a legal stranger who has no rights to the child. Filing a paternity action is a common way for fathers to deal with this sort of problem, as it is a way to establish a legal relationship with their children and have a visitation arrangement put in place. Consider contacting a family law attorney about your options.
Q. Can a termination of parental rights stand if there is insufficiency of process services?
A: As is so often the case in legal matters, it depends. Arkansas law, like that of many states, takes the obligation to serve a responding party quite seriously, and failure to serve can be a basis for reversal on appeal. However, Arkansas’ appellate courts are also strict about the circumstances under which they will consider an argument on appeal. For instance, in several cases over the years, parents who lost their parental rights and argued on appeal that they were not properly served were not allowed to advance those arguments because they had not made them in circuit court. So, if there was no service made but the parent showed up and didn’t object, an appeal based on this issue Is less likely to lead to a reversal than if, say, no service was made and the parent showed up but objected to lack of service or no service was made and the parent did not appear at all due to lack of notice.

Even in the latter circumstances, this might be something to consider addressing by post-trial motion as opposed or in addition to an appeal. Consider contacting an Arkansas appellate lawyer soon.
... Read More
Q. If my brother confess to leaving his firearm in my car and I'm a felon can I beat the charge if I didn't kno
A: The question does not make clear whether you’re referring to a charge of being a felon in possession under federal law or Arkansas state law, but the standards for both are fairly similar. Whether in state or federal court, the prosecution would generally have to prove possession of the weapon and some level of intent. Claiming that a gun was placed in one’s car without one’s knowledge would go to both issues, as the defense would essentially be that a person cannot exercise authority and control over something they don’t know is present, and even if one could be “in possession” of it under these circumstances, they certainly didn’t do so intentionally or knowingly.

The owner’s word and documentation backing up this claim might be helpful. And it could persuade the prosecution that the case should be dropped. But if not, it’s unlikely that a court would decide that the charge would have to be dismissed. Rather, a judge would likely decide that these are “fact questions” that need to be decided by a jury, and the defendant would have to make their case at trial. ... Read More
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Contact & Map
The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC
100 S. Pine
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Telephone: (870) 376-3068
Monday: 9 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5:30 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed