Kirk J. Goza

Goza & Honnold, L.L.C.
Goza & Honnold, L.L.C.
9500 Nall Ave #400, Overland Park, KS 66207 United States

FOUNDING PARTNER


Kirk’s practice focuses on representing plaintiffs in products liability, medical malpractice and pharmaceutical/medical device litigation. Kirk has over 30 years of experience trying lawsuits and managing significant pieces of litigation including class action claims of consumer fraud, antitrust violations, pharmaceutical and other mass tort product liability, toxic torts, professional negligence claims and general business litigation. During his career, Kirk represented some of the largest corporations in America in jurisdictions around the country and now uses that experience in seeking justice for people who have been injured or lost a loved one due to the negligence of others. Kirk also works as a mediator and has fulfilled the training requirements set out in Missouri Supreme Court Rule 17.


Early in his career, by recommendation of Missouri Judges, Kirk received the Lon O. Hocker award as one of the three outstanding young trial lawyers in the state. Later, Kirk was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is also a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, International Society of Barristers and the American Board of Trial Advocates, all organizations whose members are recognized for their trial and advocacy skills as well as ethics and professional responsibility. Kirk is “Board Certified” and ‘re-certified” as a trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Missouri has no approved certification process). He has been listed on numerous occasions in the “Best Lawyers” in America, “Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers,” including several times being named one of Missouri’s top 10 lawyers and Kansas City’s “Best of the Bar.” He is a frequent writer and lecturer on the topics of trial practice and technique. Mr. Goza is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Missouri Bar Association, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. 


BAR ADMISSIONS:

Kansas Federal Court

Kansas State Court

Missouri Federal Court Western District

Missouri State Court

Ninth Circuit


PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS AND AWARDS:

Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” Medical Malpractice 2021

Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” Products Liability 2020

2019 Missouri Kansas Super Lawyers

2018 Missouri Kansas Top Fifty Super Lawyers

2017 Missouri Kansas Top One Hundred Super Lawyers

2016 Missouri Kansas Top One Hundred Super Lawyers

2015 Missouri Kansas Top Ten Lawyers Super Lawyers

2014 Missouri Kansas Top Ten Lawyers Super Lawyers

International Academy of Trial Lawyers (inducted 2013)

2010 Missouri Kansas Top Ten Lawyers Super Lawyers

International Academy of Trial Lawyers (inducted 2013)

International Society of Barristers (inducted 2009)

American College of Trial Lawyers (inducted 2003)

American College of Trial Lawyers Missouri State Committee 2009-2014

American College of Trial Lawyers Missouri State Committee 2006

2004 “Board Certified Trial Advocate” National Board of Trial Advocacy (Missouri has no mechanism to approve certification programs) re-certified 2009, 2014, 2019.

Member of The Academy of Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

Top 10 Lawyers Missouri and Kansas KC Magazine 2010

Selected The Best Lawyers in America, 2001-2013

Kansas City 2002-2012 Best of the Bar

Admitted 1995 American Board of Trial Advocates

1993 Lon O. Hocker Award for Outstanding Trial Advocacy Skills (awarded by Missouri Bar Association upon recommendation of Missouri judges and trial lawyers)

Martindale Hubbell A.V. Rating

1990 Who’s Who of Emerging American Leaders

1989 Who’s Who in American Law


PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES:

2009-2014 American College of Trial Lawyers State Committee

2008 KCMBA Board of Directors Member At Large

2007 Chairperson KCMBA Finance Committee

2005 Chairperson Leukemia Society Ball

2004 President ABOTA

2004 Auction Chairperson Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

2003 Nominating Committee KCMBA

2003, 2004, 2005 Member–At-Large Board of Directors Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

2003 Board of Directors Kansas City Bar Foundation

2003 President-Elect ABOTA

2002 Treasurer Board of Directors ABOTA

2001 Secretary Board of Directors ABOTA

2001- 2003 Legal Advisor to The Kansas City Bar Foundation

2001-2004 Vice-President of Board of Directors Foundation Workshop (A sheltered workshop providing jobs for adults with special needs.)

2000 – 2004 Board of Directors Youth Service Alliance of Greater Kansas City, Inc. (Supports over 150 schools that encourage young people to engage in community service.)

1998 Chair KCMBA Tort Law Committee

1997-Present Board of Directors Foundation Workshop

1996 Co-Chair KCMBA Tort Law Committee

1994-95 Legal Advisor to the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

1992 Delta Upsilon Alumni Board of Directors

1989 KCMBA/YLS Bench Bar Planning Committee

1985 Co-Chair KCMBA Medico-legal Hospital Committee, (Revised Interdisciplinary Code and Health Care Provider Complaint Committee)

Past Member YLS/KCMBA Continuing Legal Education Committee

Past Member KCMBA Volunteer Attorney Project


ACADEMIC AWARDS AND HONORS:

Associate Editor and Staff Member of University of Kansas Law Review, 1980-82.

Recipient 1981-82 Robert E. Edmonds Award in Corporations and Securities Law, (highest award given to corporate and securities students.)

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (upper 10 percent of the class only).

American Jurisprudence Award (highest grade given) — Business Associations I & II.

National Spanish Honor Society of Sigma Delta Pi

Co-Captain KU Rugby Football Team

Delta Upsilon Social Fraternity


LAW REVIEW ARTICLES AND BOOK CHAPTERS:

Co-Author of:    

Missouri Bar Deskbook, “Health Care Providers (2005)

Missouri Bar Deskbook, “Liability of Health Care Providers” (1997).

“Pleadings” 57 UMKC Law Review 736 (1989).

“Missouri Bar CLE Appellate Practice and Extraordinary Remedies” (chapter supplement on mandamus).

Author of:      

Comment ‘Securities Regulations: Reliance As An Element in a Section 12(2) Action” 30 Kan.L.Rev. 599 (1982)


SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS:

Harris Martin JUUL, E-Cig & Vaping Emerging Science, 10/18/2019 Philadelphia, PA.

Harris Martin MDL Conf., JUUL & Capital One Data Breach 9/25/2019 Beverly Hills, Ca.

Harris Martin JUUL, E-Cigarettes, and Vaping, Emerging Litigation 9/18/2019 St. Louis

Annual Business Litigation Seminar, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 6/11/2019

Plaintiffs Strategies For Maximizing Reasonable Value for Medical Services After the ACA, Lenexa, Ks. NBI sponsor (1/29/2015)

Mass Tort Conference Panel Discussion, MCM Services, Lenexa, Ks. 9/10/2014.

Finding, Choosing and Working With Experts, Missouri Bar, Jefferson City (November 22, 2013).

Winning Strategies in Medical malpractice Cases, Dealing With Experts, Missouri Bar, Independence, Mo. (October 11, 2013).

Moderator, Lessons of 1000 Trials, Westin, KC,MO., ACTL and MOBar (May 2, 2013)

Admitting Technology-Based Exhibits and Other Evidentiary Issues, Kansas Joint Judicial Conference (June 15, 2012)

Voir Dire Civil Jury Trial Demonstration, KCMBA, UMKC (April 8, 2010)

Voir Dire, Civil Jury Trial Demonstration, KCMBA, UMKC (Feb. 9, 2009)

Winning With Experts, Trial Demonstration) Missouri Bar, Marriot Hotel, Kansas City, Mo. (June 26, 2008)

“War Stories From Leaders of the Local Trial Bar” Lawyers Association (April 9, 2008)

Kansas Trial Lawyers, Trial Advocacy Seminar, “Closing Argument” JCCC (June 1, 2007)

Solo and Small Firm Conference, Getting Started and Keeping It Going, KCMBA, (October 13, 2006)

Effective Direct and Cross- Examination Of Lay and Expert Witnesses, MOBAR and American College of Trial Lawyers, Kansas City (June 15, 2006)

“Direct Examination of the Expert Witness” MoBar CLE Kansas City, MO (June 16, 2006)

KCMBA “ Plaintiff’s Opening Statement in a Pharmaceutical Case”, (February 10, 2006).

“Jury Selection” An American College of Trial Lawyers Presentation, Columbia, Missouri (November 29, 2005)

KCMBA, Cross-Examination Do’s & Don’ts (October 28, 2005)

MoBar Annual Meeting, Collateral Source, Changes under Tort Reform Statute (September 2005)

American Trial Lawyers, Opening Statement, Causation In a Birth Trauma Case (Toronto, Canada, July 23, 2005)

MATA Trial Tips Seminar, Persuasion in a Birth Trauma Case, Kansas City, MO (May 6, 2005)

ACTL, Trial Skills for Public Interest Lawyers, Cross-Examination and Demonstrative Evidence, Cape Girardeau, MO (April 29, 2005)

ATLA’s Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases Seminar, Persuasion in Birth Trauma Cases, Atlanta, GA (February 25-26, 2005)

UMKC, “Civil Jury Trial Demonstration”, (June 11, 2004)

KCMBA, “Effective Techniques of Cross-Examination,” (June 28, 2002)

MATA, “Representing Your Client – A Perspective of What the Other Side Looks for in Cases,” (June 21, 2002)

ABOTA, “Masters in Trial, Trial Demonstration,” (September 28, 2001)

Medical Protective, “Risk Awareness,” (October 5, 2000)

ABOTA, “Masters in Trial, Trial Demonstration,” (September 29, 2000)

KCMBA, “Techniques for Effective Cross-Examination,” (June 20, 2000)

Medical Protective, “Malpractice Prevention-Beyond the Basics” (October 12,1999)

KCMBA, Rain Making and Practice Development (February 25, 1999)

KCMBA, Federal Lifesaver, Voir Dire Issues In Federal Court (August 29, 1998)

Medical Protective Company, “Risk Management for Medical Office Professionals” (July 23, 1998)

KCMBA “Techniques for Effective Cross-Examination” (June 24, 1998)

Shook, Hardy & Bacon “Daubert 1998: An Update on the Federal Court’s Standard for Admissibility of Expert Testimony”, Panel Discussion (June 18, 1998)

American Hotel & Motel Association, Instructor, Hospitality Law

UMKC “Mastering The Medical Malpractice Case — Obstetrical Malpractice and Birth Trauma Litigation” (October 3, 1997)

KCMBA, “How To Conduct The Purposeful and Strategic Cross-Examination” (June 25, 1997)

UMKC Practicing Law Institute, “Examining The Expert Witness- Evidence and Technique, The Interactive Courtroom” (May 30, 1997)

Clubhouse Inns Training Workshop “Employment Discrimination & Sexual Harassment In The   Workplace” (May 1, 1997)

ABA National CLE Program Advisory Committee, “The Experts Analyze Bad Baby Cases” (April 18-19, 1997, San Francisco, CA)

KCMBA, “Personal Injury Cases: A Practical Approach – Jury Selection Strategies” (April 17, 1997)

KCMBA, “Effective Motions – Motions in Limine,” (June 27, 1996)

KCMBA, “How to Conduct the Purposeful and Strategic Cross Examination,” (May 24, 1996) Medical Protective Company, “Malpractice Prevention – A Lawyer’s Perspective,” (May 22, 1996) Greater Kansas City Medical Managers Association and HFMA, Medi-Vision 2000 Seminar,   “Medical Malpractice – Exposure Control,” (April 5, 1996)

KCMBA, “Fair and Reasonable Damages,” (April 28, 1995)

Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, P.C., Update on Labor and Employment Law, “Jury Verdicts and What they Mean,” (April 21, 1995)

KCMBA, “Fair and Reasonable Damages,” (June 16, 1994)

KCMBA, “Depositions,” (June 15, 1994)

OMIC, “Risk Management Seminar” (Westin Crown Center, June 4, 1994).

UMKC, “The New But For Test For Causation in Missouri” (May 6, 1994).

KCMBA, “Comparative Fault” (May 21, 1993).

National Osteopathic Health Conference, “Mock Trial” (April 15, 1993).

UMKC Medical Malpractice Seminar; Direct and Cross-Examination of The Expert Neuroradiologist — Trial Demonstration (September 25, 1992).

MATA’s “Trial Advocacy” Seminar (March 6, 1992)

Second Annual Defense Tactics Institute, What Makes an Effective Cross-Examination of Both Non-Experts and Experts (February 27, 1992)

Fourth Annual Valuation & Settlement Negotiations Seminar, Medical Malpractice “Defendant” (November 22, 1991)

Dealing with Experts — UMKC/KCMBA 1991 Medical Malpractice Seminar (September 6, 1991)

Preparation for Trial; Discovery; Motions, UMKC 15 Hour Review of Law (June 28, 1991)

MATA’s “Basic Trial Series” Pleadings: Stating the Cause of Action, the Answer, Affirmative Defenses, Motions to Dismiss (February 22, 1991)

UMKC Medical School, “Depositions” (April 17, 1990)

Workshop, Jury Selection, Opening Statements and Closing Arguments in Medicolegal Cases, 30th Anniversary Conference of the American College of Legal Medicine (March 14-17, 1990, Orlando, Florida)

MATA’s “Medical Malpractice” Seminar, Case Investigation: A Defense Perspective (March 9, 1990)

Direct and Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses UMKC/KCMBA 1989 Litigator’s Tutorial (November 10, 1989)

Trial Aspects of Liability — A Defense Perspective — UMKC/KCMBA 1989 Medical Malpractice Seminar (September 27, 1989)

Co-Chairperson UMKC/KCMBA 1988 Medical Malpractice Seminar (September 7, 1988)

KCMBA Bench Bar Presentation, “Our Day In Court” (May 14, 1988)

UMKC School of Nursing, Mock Trial, Nursing Practice and the Law (1986)

Kansas City Claims Association, Luncheon speaker on Tort Reform (1987)

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