Merriam Lawyers

I represent children that have been the victim of physical harm or assault in schools, day care, camps, programs, or on a school bus. I also represent small businesses and individuals in litigation stemming from property disputes, corporate conflicts, or commercial transactions. Through over fifteen years of litigation experience at large firms and at DRZ, I welcome the opportunity to represent your interests in contingent or hourly arrangements.

Military Attorney and Trial Lawyer focusing on Courts-Martial, Administrative Separations, Nonjudicial Punishment, Correcting Military Records, Discharge Upgrades, and other military administrative law matters.

Ashley Franden is a family law attorney based in Overland Park, Kansas. She represents clients in matters of separation, divorce, paternity, child custody and support, spousal maintenance, stepparent adoption, and grandparent rights. She also prepares prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. With a bachelor’s degree in social work and experience as a foster care case manager, Ashley is uniquely poised to handle a broad range of family law issues.

Paeten knew at a young age she wanted to be a lawyer so that she could help others. As a grade-schooler, she would attend law school classes with her Dad and would study with him after school each day in the library at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School. It was this early exposure to law and her desire to enter a profession where she felt like she could have a positive impact on people’s lives, that reinforced her desire to pursue a career in law. Paeten pursued this dream at the University of Kansas School of Law graduating in...

I have primarily handled DUI cases in Johnson, Wyandotte and Douglas Counties, and all of the cities in those counties, for over 25 years.

At my law firm, I focus on the areas of Personal Injury, Worker's Compensation, Social Security Disability, Family Law and Divorce, Bankruptcy and Business Law. I also practice in the areas of Traffic, DUI, Alcohol and Drug related offenses, and Criminal Law. I accept these types of cases in all Kansas City Metro areas, including Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, and the cities of Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Mission, Prairie Village, Fairway, Olathe, Roeland Park, Merriam, Gardner, Bonner Springs, and surrounding areas.Because of my diverse background, I am able to offer my clients a wide variety of legal talent and...

The Mathews Group, LC was founded by attorney Joshua T. Mathews. Mr. Mathews started his career as a Tax and Transactions attorney, but was quickly recruited into business and personal civil litigation. Mr. Mathews practices in areas from bankruptcy to federal criminal defense, (selected by the Department of Justice as a member of the CJA Panel). He opened The Mathews Group, LC because he fundamentally disagreed with many traditional legal practices, especially hourly billing, which in addition to creating a "blank check" for the attorney, dis-incentivized clients from communicating with their attorney about their legal issues. The Mathews...

My commitment is to avidly represent my clients in a compassionate and meaningful manner. I am dedicated to helping employees with their jobs, including helping employees get paid correctly. For the past five years, I have successfully represented employees across the nation on wage issues against many of the largest employers in the country. I am dedicated to helping employees recover wages that are owed by employers. In addition to wage related issues, I also represent employees with other employment claims including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and severance agreements.

John Hicks is an AV-rated trial attorney who practices in both Missouri and Kansas and is a partner at the law firm of Norris & Keplinger, in Overland Park, Kansas. John handles a variety of personal injury litigation and has a special interest in professional negligence. He also defends businesses in the retail, hospitality and sectors. John lives in Kansas but is a native of Missouri. He graduated from Blue Springs High School in 1989, joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Japan. In 1994, John returned to Missouri where he...

Denise a native of Kansas, earned her bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas and her Juris Doctorate from Barry University in Orlando, Florida.

Denise practices in the areas of Civil Litigation in Kansas, and Small Business Law, International Arbitration & Mediation globally.

Denise has an extensive background in international law having studied:

International Criminal Law and International Criminal Justice at The Hague, Netherlands;

Public International Law and International Intellectual Property Law in Geneva, Switzerland;

Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Corporate Law, Chinese Foreign Investment and Banking Law, and Commercial Arbitration at the Fudan University in Shanghai, China;...

Samantha L. Shepherd JD, LLM, CELA
Samantha practices exclusively in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning and Special Needs Law. She received her undergraduate degree in 1990 from Tulane University in New Orleans, cum laude. She earned her law degree from Boston College Law School and received an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Samantha currently serves on the Board of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and as Chair of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Trust and Estates Committee. Formerly the Chair of the Missouri Bar Elder Law Committee and past President of...

Dwight D. Alexander, II Owner and Operator of The Alexander Law Firm, LLC Dwight is a competent and experienced attorney who created the Alexander law Firm, LLC with the client in mind. Dwight started his legal career as an intern in the Wyandotte County Unified Government Legal Department and the Kansas City, Kansas Municipal Court. During his time as an intern he crafted an idea to create a firm designed to foster a partnership with his clients to ensure that his services and his counsel created favorable results. Dwight still is apart of the Public Defenders office of...

Born and raised overseas. Son of a military family; wide exposure to various cultures. Licensed to practice in Kansas and aMissouri. Representing people who need the best representation possible. I have taken on complex criminal cases and tried over 169 jury trials with a high percentage of acquittals. If your looking for the best then you have found the right attorneys.

Attorney Michael J. McVay holds over 20 years of experience representing clients in cases including bankruptcy, personal injury, workers compensation, criminal and civil law. He is devoted to helping people in Kansas and Missouri. He prides himself on providing excellent customer service. The Law Office of Michael J. McVay, P.A. is a boutique practice that allows for each client to receive the attention they deserve. Michael J. McVay has the knowledge and experience to handle your case and let you know what to expect.

I am a former prosecutor with over 14 years of criminal law experience. I have tried over 50 jury trials.