Melanie Morgan

Melanie began her career as a criminal defense lawyer while in law school at the University of Kansas School of Law where she was first an intern and then a student director at the Defender Project. While serving the Defender Project, Melanie became convinced that effective advocacy demands not only a sharp intellect but also a deep commitment to justice. Following her fervor of representing the criminally accused, Melanie started out as an attorney with the prominent criminal defense firm, the Law Office of Joseph D. Johnson, Chtd., before opening her own firm in 2002. Federal cases comprise the vast majority of Melanie's caseload and she regularly litigates a wide variety of criminal defense cases including drug and drug conspiracy charges, gun and firearm violations, robbery, sex and pornography offenses, immigration violations, and various types of fraud cases including check, wire, mortgage and tax. Melanie has a very active trial practice and is widely known for the passion and persuasiveness of her courtroom presentations. Recent acquittals include United States v. William Carter, United States v. Cortez Williams, United States v. Jacob Unrau and State of Kansas v. William McDonald. Melanie's commitment to criminal defense extends beyond her own practice. She is the Immediate Past President of the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and consults with other lawyers on various legal matters. She has twice been invited to be part of the faculty of the prestigious National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia. Melanie has also lectured on ethics and search and seizure issues. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Melanie Morgan included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Super Lawyers, 2005 to present Courageous Attorney Award, Kansas Bar Association, 2012 Women’s Justice Award – Litigation Practitioner, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2016 Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, 2020 Best Lawyers in America®, 2021 to present Other Sources of Feedback About Melanie Morgan Included on the 2025Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2024 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2023 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2022 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2021 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2020 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2019 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2018 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2017 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2016 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2015 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2014 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2013 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2012 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2011 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2010 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2009 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2008 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2007 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2006 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list 2005 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list

• Managing Partner

• Missouri, 2005
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2005
• U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 2002
• Kansas, 1993
• U.S. Federal Courts, 1993
• U.S. District Court District of Kansas, 1993
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1993
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit