Donald T. Taylor
Attorney at Law
A lifelong resident of Kansas City and a second-generation attorney, Don marveled at his father’s role in the legal profession. Further intrigued by the historic Hyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse in 1981 he studied the catastrophe, as well as the attorneys who represented those injured in the collapse, and the surviving family members of those that were killed. In law school, Don clerked for a premier personal injury firm and knew he would also follow the same path of helping others in their greatest time of need. In 1987 he joined a small firm dedicated to representing people in such need. By 1991 he became a partner.
Don brings a broad range of knowledge within the legal field representing clients in both personal injury and wrongful death claims in Kansas and Missouri. He also represents clients in Workers Compensation claims who have been injured or killed within the scope and course of their employment in Kansas and Missouri.
With over 33 years of experience representing thousands of clients before state and federal courts, Don brings a unique blend of experience to help you through your time of need.
Bar Admissions
Kansas State Bar, 1987
Missouri State Bar, 1987
U.S. District Court, 1987
District of Kansas, 1987
Western District of Missouri, 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1989
Education
Juris Doctor: Washburn University in Topeka - 1986
Phi Delta Phi, Law Fraternity
Bachelor's: University of Kansas in Lawrence - 1984
Associate's: Kansas City, KS Community College - 1982
Licensed To Practice:
State of Kansas - April 15, 1987
State of Missouri - October 9, 1987
United States District Court, District of Kansas - April 15, 1987
United States District Court, Western District of Missouri - November 4, 1987
United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri - January 15, 2013
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit - June 29, 1989
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit - May 7, 2003
United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals - June 23, 1995
In addition to Taylor’s civil education and training he served for over 21 years in the United States Army Reserve, retiring in 2011 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Military Schools Attended:
The Judge Advocate General School, JAOBC - 1991
Judge Advocate Triennial Training-International Law - 1991
The Judge Advocate General School, JAOAC - 1994
Operational Law Course - 1997
Combined Arms Staff Service School, Phase I - 1997
Command and General Staff College, Phase I-IV (100%) - 2003
Military Assignments, Including:
Assistant Judge Advocate, 326th ASG - March 1990 - February 1997
Assistant Command Judge Advocate, 326th A - February 1997 - May 1999
8th LSO, Team 1-Trial Counsel - May 1999 - February 2000
8th LSO, Team 1-Mobilization Officer - February 2000 - February 2001
8th LSO, Team 1-Senior Legal Officer - February 2001 - February 2002
8th LSO, Team 8-Senior Client Service Officer - February 2002 - October 2005
8th LSO, Team 8-Team Director (Ft. Leavenworth KS) - October 2005 - November 2008
8th LSO, Team 4-Team Director (Omaha NE) - November 2008 - October 2011
Sample of Taylor's Noteable Legal Achievements:
Hamilton vs. State Farm, 263 Kan. 875 (1998).
Taylor represented plaintiff Hamilton before the Wyandotte County District Court, the Kansas Court of Appeals and the Kansas Supreme Court. After successful jury trial, the defense appealed. Upon appeal we successfully achieved an award of attorney fees under KSA 40-908. The importance of the case confirmed that consumers can recover attorney fees under the statute so they can be made whole when they suffer a smaller loss and cannot otherwise afford to pursue their damages.
Hembree vs. Wal-Mart of Kansas, 29 Kan.App. 2d 900 (2001).
In Hembree, we confirmed through the appellate process that the “Mode of Operation Rule” applied in Kansas. Following our appeal, the rule became part of the Pattern Instructions Kansas 4th, Jury Instruction 126.05. This allows for a jury instruction that when a business adopts a mode of operation in which a dangerous condition could regularly occur and the owner fails to use reasonable measures to discover and remove it, an injured person can recover their damages.
Adams vs. Continental Cas. Co. 364 F. 3d 952 (8th Cir. 2004).
Taylor represented plaintiff Adams before the Honorable H. Dean Whipple of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case was significant in addressing the distinctions between the application of interpretations of the law for traditional insurance carriers compared to ERISA types of benefits.
Richardson vs. QuikTrip Corp., 81 S.W.3d (Mo. App. 2002).
Taylor represented plaintiff Richardson before the Circuit Court of Jackson County Missouri. After defense Summary Judgment, Taylor helped plaintiffs reverse the circuit court decision establishing that a business owed a duty of reasonable care to keep its premises in a reasonably safe condition when it knew or had reason to know that patrons may suffer harm from criminal activity and failing to take reasonable steps in keeping their customers safe.
Angus vs. Second Injury Fund, 328 S.W.3d 294 (Mo. App. 2011).
Taylor represented claimant Angus before the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation and the Western District Court of Appeals. After judgment for the Second Injury Fund, the appellate court reversed administrative law judge finding the court had simply failed to articulate any reasonable basis to disregard the uncontradicted expert medical opinion before it and, instead, to create its own medical causation opinions without the aid or assistance from a qualified medical professional. Angus is repeated cited favorably in subsequent rulings assisting workers’ compensation claimants in their claims.
Bar Associations and Memberships:
Taylor is a member and past president of the Wyandotte County Bar Association (as well as past Board of Governors), a member of the Johnson County Bar Association, the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Kansas Bar Association and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. He has also served on many committee chair/co-chair positions.
Extracurricular Acivities:
Taylor has served his church in countless ways and activities. He has served as President of the St. John the Baptist Croatian Catholic Church Council since 2011 as well as a council member in the 1990’s. He has been a member of the church choir since 1988. He has served as an officer in the St. John’s Catholic Club on Historic Strawberry Hill since 1987, including President and Sergeant at Arms. He is a member of the Croatian musical group Hrvatski Obicaj since 2011, performing all over the region including numerous ethnic festivals. He is also a member of the Good Shepherd Church in Shawnee, Kansas and is a member of their Knights of Columbus. Taylor and his wife of over thirty-three (33) years served as co-chairs of various committees, as well and volunteers for Harvesters and the local food kitchen.
As the father of four daughters Taylor coached youth soccer for over twenty years. He also assisted in coaching his daughter’s youth basketball teams. As a consequence of his military career he became an avid runner, competing in 13 marathons including the Boston, New York and Chicago marathons. Taylor still runs over 22 miles per week. He is an avid handball player and enjoys various other sports and physical activity.
Taylor is a member and/or participates in various civil and/or social activities including local Historical Societies being awarded a past Historian of the Year by the Wyandotte County Historical Society.