J.J. Burns, General Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri
Over 15 years of legal practice · focused on General and Personal Injury
Kansas City, MO
Practicing general in Kansas City since 2011.
- 15+
- Years practicing
- 2
- Bar admissions
Practices in
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Quick answer
J.J. Burns is an attorney based in Kansas City, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on General and Personal Injury. J.J. has over 15 years of legal experience.
- Based in
- Kansas City, MISSOURI
- Experience
- over 15 years
- Known for
- General · Personal Injury
- Handles General and Personal Injury matters from Kansas City, MISSOURI.
- Over 15 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026).
About J.J. Burns: J.J. Burns is an attorney based in Kansas City, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on General and Personal Injury. J.J. has over 15 years of legal experience.
Areas of practice
J.J.'s practice areas in Kansas City
J.J. concentrates on general and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case J.J. handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
General cases in Kansas City, Missouri
J.J. takes general matters in Kansas City, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before J.J. agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in Kansas City, Missouri
J.J. takes personal injury matters in Kansas City, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before J.J. agrees to represent you.
Biography
J.J. Burns, general attorney serving Kansas City
J.J. Burns is an attorney based in Kansas City, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on General and Personal Injury. J.J. has over 15 years of legal experience. J.J. works from Kansas City, Missouri and takes on general matters across the region.
J.J. Burns has a national reputation as a go-to-expert on truck crash litigation. Through both jury verdicts and negotiated settlements, he helps truck crash victims and their families hold truck drivers, motor carries and freight brokers accountable for their negligence. Additionally, he works continuously to introduce safer practices and more demanding safety rules in numerous states and across the country.
He is currently the Editor of the Journal of Trucking Litigation, and has also served on the Amicus Brief and Education Committee of the American Association for Justice’s Trucking Litigation Group after being appointed to TLG’s Executive Board. JJ regularly teaches other attorneys how to try cases against trucking companies, and has presented at seminars, conferences, and litigation colleges in Arizona, California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. JJ is also an adjunct professor at UMC Law School and teaches a course on injury litigation every year.
JJ is devoted to making our highways safer. He spends substantial time in Washington D.C. advocating for the passage of laws and regulations that will improve safety on public roadways, and help to ensure that fewer families have to suffer losses due to preventable crashes.
How J.J. handles general matters
J.J. Burns has a national reputation as a go-to-expert on truck crash litigation. Through both jury verdicts and negotiated settlements, he helps truck crash victims and their families hold truck drivers, motor carries and freight brokers accountable for their negligence. Additionally, he works continuously to introduce safer practices and more demanding safety rules in numerous states and across…
Who J.J. represents
J.J. reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general and personal injury matters in Kansas City and the surrounding Missouri area.
Credentials
Credentials — where J.J. studied and practices
University of Michigan
— · 2011
DePauw University
— · 2006
Jurisdictions
J.J.'s state bar admissions
Missouri
2012 · ACTIVE
Illinois
2011 · ACTIVE
J.J. studied at — in University of Michigan and — in DePauw University.
Law school and academic background
J.J. completed — in University of Michigan and — in DePauw University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice J.J. runs in Missouri is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
J.J.'s legal honors and published work
J.J. has received 10 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Transportation Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — VerdictSearch – Top 100 Verdicts of 2017 – 2017
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Missouri Lawyers Weekly – Up & Coming – 2018
2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Trial Lawyer Association – Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers – 2018
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Super Lawyers – Rising Star – 2017-2020
2026
Best Lawyers in America — The National Trial Lawyers – Top 10 Trucking – 2018-2019
2026
Best Lawyers in America — The National Trial Lawyers – Top 40 Under 40 – Civil Plaintiff Lawyers – 2018-2019
2026
Legal awards and honors
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Transportation Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — VerdictSearch – Top 100 Verdicts of 2017 – 2017 (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Missouri Lawyers Weekly – Up & Coming – 2018 (2026).
Locations
J.J. Burns's office in Kansas City
J.J.'s primary office is at 1100 Main Street, Suite 2600, Kansas City, Missouri, 64105. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of J.J. Burns
J.J. has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire J.J. Burns — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with J.J. usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
J.J. charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain J.J.'s office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; J.J. will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a general attorney in Kansas City, Missouri
A short list to run through before you commit: How many general matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for J.J.
J.J. discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every general matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. J.J. confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
J.J.'s office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about J.J. Burns
How much does it cost to hire J.J. for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. J.J. walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does J.J. offer a free consultation?
J.J. charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain J.J.'s office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check J.J.'s current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in Missouri typically take?
Simple general matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. J.J. gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can J.J. take my case if I'm outside Kansas City?
J.J. is licensed in Missouri. Matters governed by Missouri law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — J.J. will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with J.J.?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. J.J. will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is J.J. accepting new general clients right now?
J.J.'s intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
General attorneys serving Kansas City, St Louis and Jefferson City in Missouri
J.J. handles general matters throughout Missouri. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.
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