• Missouri "Super Lawyer" 2006-2012

  • Rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale Hubbell (Highest ranking available)

  • Nationally recognized speaker on Medical Malpractice issues

  • Largest Jury Verdict in Missouri ever to be affirmed on appeal
  • (Berthelsen v. URS Corporation)

PAUL KAVANAUGH

+ PAUL KAVANAUGH

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John Rollins

Paul Kavanaugh

Paul Kavanaugh was born August 24, 1959 in St. Louis, Missouri.  As one of eight children he was the first person in his family to graduate from high school, college and professional school.  Paul attended Westminster College where he received an academic full scholarship through his participation in the U.S. Army ROTC.  He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1981. 

 

Paul graduated with distinction (Order of the Bench & Robe) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1984. He was Managing Editor of the Law Review and graduated with distinction in oral advocacy from the Judge Advocate General's School in 1985. Paul practiced law for three years in the Judge Advocate General's Corp for the United States Army.

Paul served as a defense lawyer for the Trial Defense Service of the U.S. Army and was Honorably Discharged as an Army Captain in 1987, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service.

Paul received training as a young lawyer from Kansas City legends, Lantz Welch and Max Foust.  Paul was “Of Counsel” to Lantz Welch, P.C., and James Bartimus, P.C.  He was a founding partner of Bartimus, Kavanaugh & Mallory and practiced with the firm until 1998.  Since then, Paul has been a principal in Kenner, James & Kavanaugh, P.C., Kenner & Kavanaugh, P.C., and Paul F. Kavanaugh, P.C.  He became “Of Counsel” to The Rollins Law Firm, P.C., in 2010. 
Paul served on the Board of Governors of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys for nearly fifteen (15) years.  He is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and has been an adjunct faculty member of both the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and the School of Nursing.  Paul has lectured on the prevention of medical negligence at the University of Kansas Medical School, the University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine and the University of Health Sciences.  He also is a national speaker/writer on the subject of medical malpractice.  Paul's writings concerning medical negligence and trial issues have been published in journals, textbooks, and law review publications.
Paul has handled many cases involving birth injuries - birth trauma, including injuries to babies' shoulders as a result of failure to properly deliver them, brain injury secondary to delivery, injury to mothers in laparoscopic surgery, as well as a variety of other birth associated injuries.

His practice has included extensive experience in all areas of medical negligence including:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Orthopaedics
  • Family practice
  • Brain injury
  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Anesthesia
  • Radiology
  • Outpatient Surgery
  • General Surgery
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Brain Surgery
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Obstetrics
  • Brain injury
  • Endocrinology (diabetes)
  • Gynecology
  • Pulmonology (lung cases)
  • Urology
  • Hepatology (liver issues)
  • Internal Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Dermatology
  • Pediatrics
  • Pharmacy Malpractice
  • Nursing negligence
  • Podiatry
  • Pharmaceutical Malpractice
  • Psychiatry
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Infectious Disease
  • Hospitalist negligence
  • Psychiatric negligence
  • Rehabilitative negligence
  • Sports Medicine
 

Paul has been recognized in "Who's Who in America," "Who's Who in American Law," "Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America," "Who's Who in the Midwest" and "Young Community Leaders of America."  He is regularly identified as one of the “Best of the Bar” in Kansas City and was chosen as a “Super Lawyer” in Missouri from 2006 to 2010.
Paul is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of Missouri, the Federal District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the Army Court of Military Review and the Court of Military Appeals. He is currently involved in the preparation and trial of medical negligence, wrongful death, nursing home malpractice, trucking, carbon monoxide exposure, personal injury, and products liability cases. His emphasis is in cases involving medical negligence.

Charitable work:


One of Paul’s passions is helping those who need a hand up – not a hand down.  Paul and his wife Debbie have funded The Kavanaugh Charitable Trust.  The Paul Giving BackTrust has fully endowed need-based scholarships at Westminster College, the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law, and the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Pharmacy.

 

Paul and his wife Debbie built, from the ground up, a fully funded middle school in Cambodia.  The school provides a garden for food and a clean well for the children’s water.  An English teacher is funded, as well as computers with access to the internet, and solar panels for energy.  All this, in a village without electricity, gas or regular clean water.

Paul and his wife are spearheading a Humane Society project in Argentina to spay and neuter unwanted animals.
 

Another major project has been providing wheelchairs to mobility impaired children and adults in Argentina.  Paul Giving Back300 wheelchairs have been paid for to date.  Other areas of support include the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a health clinic in Rwanda, the Susan G. Komen Cure for Cancer Walk, Childreach, and Catholic Charities.

Paul and his wife do charitable work throughout the United States and the world and a portion of all fees each year is dedicated to these projects.