Rick Davis - Topeka, KS
Attorney at TopCity Defense
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Topeka, KS
1035 SW Gage Blvd Ste 200 Topeka, KS 66604
- Free Consultation
Topeka Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 09/18/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense 40%
- DUI and DWI 20%
- Litigation Defense 20%
- Professional Responsibility Defense 20%
- Drug Crime
- Sex Crime
- Federal and White Collar Crime
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility Defense
Litigation: 100%
Attorney Information
Overview
Rick Davis is an attorney and the founder of TopCity Defense in Topeka, where he represents people facing criminal charges, professional and licensing matters, and serious civil litigation.
Rick believes good legal representation starts with understanding what is actually at stake. A criminal charge, investigation, professional complaint, or lawsuit rarely affects only the case itself. It can threaten a career, a professional license, a business, a reputation, financial security, family stability, or years of work building a future.
His approach is straightforward: listen first, understand the problem, explain the options and risks in plain English, and build a strategy around what matters most to the client. Rick believes clients should know where their case stands and understand the decisions in front of them. He is practical when a practical solution serves the client and prepared to push hard when it does not.
That perspective comes in part from a career that has extended beyond the traditional practice of law. In addition to representing clients in litigation and other legal matters, Rick has founded and operated businesses in the real estate, title, and related industries. He understands firsthand the pressures of running a business, meeting a payroll, protecting a reputation, and making consequential decisions when there is no perfect option. That experience influences the way he practices law: legal strategy should account for the client's real life, not simply what happens in the courtroom.
Rick was the first person in his family to attend college. That background helped shape his belief that the legal system should not feel inaccessible simply because someone does not speak the language of lawyers, courts, or institutions. Clients deserve to understand what is happening, what their options are, and what comes next.
Rick earned his law degree magna cum laude from Washburn University School of Law, where he served as Managing Editor of the Washburn Law Journal. Before entering private practice, he served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Eric F. Melgren of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas and completed an internship with the United States Air Force JAG Corps.
Since entering practice, Rick has represented individuals and businesses in more than 30 trials and arbitrations, including a three-week construction-industry arbitration in which he secured a complete defense award for his client, as well as an award requiring the opposing party to pay his client's attorney fees. He has held leadership positions within the Kansas legal community, including service on the Kansas Bar Association's Board of Governors and Executive Committee and as Chair of the KBA's Young Lawyers Division. He has also been recognized as AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest peer-review rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
Rick's experience as both an attorney and business owner has reinforced a simple belief behind TopCity Defense: people are more than the worst allegation, mistake, or legal problem they may face. Accountability matters, but one event should not unnecessarily erase everything a person has worked to build.
When the stakes are high, Rick's job is not to make promises he cannot keep or manufacture reassurance. It is to give clients a clear assessment of where they stand, identify the available paths forward, prepare thoroughly, and advocate for the outcome that best protects what matters next.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, 2016 - 2026
- Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell, 2018 - 2020
- Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell, 2022 - 2026
- Outstanding Service Award, Kansas Bar Association, 2022
- Top Legal Innovators, Missouri Lawyers Media, 2021
- Associate Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America, 2019
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2018
- Best Real Estate Law Firms in Kansas City, Prestige.com, 2016
- Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law, 2011 - 2012
- Letter of Recognition, United States Air Force Jag, 2011
- Top Grade - Legal Analysis, Research and Writing II, Washburn University School of Law, 2009 - 2010
- Dawson Scholarship, Washburn University School of Law, 2009
- Top Grade - Civil Procedure, Washburn University School of Law, 2009
- Top Grade - Torts, Washburn University School of Law, 2009
Education
Legal Education
-
Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas, 2012
J.D.
Honors: summa cum laude
Law Journal: Washburn Law Journal, Managing Editor, 2010 - 2011
Non Legal Education
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University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 2009
B.S.
Major: Political Science - Colby Community College, 2005
Current Employment Position(s)
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Attorney/Founder
Past Positions
- Rick Davis Legal, P.C./Brickhaven.Legal, Attorney/Founder, 2015 - 2026
- Greenstein & Associates, Partner, 2014 - 2015
- Greenstein and Associates, Associate, 2013 - 2014
- United States Air Force Jag, Intern, 2012
- US District Court, Kansas, Judicial Extern, 2010 - 2011
- Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chtd., Law Clerk, 2009 - 2013
Languages
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English (Primary)
Classes and Seminars
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Youtube, The Secrets to Stopping 500 Foreclosure Sales, 2025
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Mid America Association, Conflicts of Interest for Real Estate Investors, 2025
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Mid America Association of Real Estate Investors, Contract and Title Issues, 2024
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Mid America Association of Real Estate Investors, Wholesale License Laws, 2023
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Kansas Register of Deeds Association, Remote Online Notarization: implementation and practical application, 2023
-
Title Law in Kansas, Ethical Considerations, 2021
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Title Law in Kansas, Transfer of Title, 2021
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Sept MAREI Meeting, Top 3 Myths About Land Trusts, 2021
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Real Estate Law, Real Estate Transactions and Closings, 2021
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MAREI PartnerCast, When a Real Estate Investor Should Consult with an Attorney, 2021
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MAREI, What does the "Unconstitutional" Ruling in Regards to the Eviction Ban Mean, 2021
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Construction Law: Advanced Issues and Answers, Ethics for Construction Lawyers, 2021
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Mid American Association of Real Estate Investors, Attorney Tips for Your Contracts, 2020
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Mid American Association of Real Estate Investors, Mini-Asset Protection Workshop, 2020
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Johnson County Landlords, Covid-19, Evictions, Support Animals, and Other Legal Issues, 2020
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Trial Prep from Start to Finish, Useful Discovery for Trial, 2019
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Trial Prep from Start to Finish, Effective Use of Evidence, 2019
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Leasing: Landlord-Tenant Laws and Evictions, Real Estate Law Bootcamp, 2019
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Construction Law Bootcamp, Negotiating for Damages in Construction, 2019
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Construction Law Bootcamp, Ethics in Construction Law, 2019
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Webinar, Seller Finance and First Lien Investors (Note Buyers), 2018
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Construction Law from Start to Finish, Ethics for Construction Lawyers, 2018
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Boundaries and Easements Seminar, Defining Trespass and Adverse Possession, 2017
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Weekly Meeting, Commercial Leasing, 2016
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Real Estate Lessons for the Real World, The CFPB and practical tips for your practice, 2015
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Palm Beach County Bar Association, Real Estate Lessons for the Real World: The CFPB and Practical Tips for Your Practice”, 2015
- Public Forum on Aging Issues, 2006
Pro Bono Activities
- Volunteer, Children’s Ministry at Heartland Community Church
Representative Cases
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In re Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of
- Citation: 2016 Bankr. LEXIS 2139 (2016).
- Court: U.S. Bankruptcy
- Serial Number: 16-10446
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Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of Kan., LLC v.
- Citation: 2016 Bankr. LEXIS 2288 (2016)
- Court: 10th Circuit
- Serial Number: KS-16-012
-
Doran Law Office v. Stonehouse Rentals, Inc.
- Citation: 2017 U.S.App. LEXIS 2082 (2017)
- Court: 10th Circuit Court
- Serial Number: 15-3303
Published Works
Articles
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Forbes, Real Estate Agents Answer: What Do You Wish You Could Tell Your Buyer Clients During Coronavirus?, 2020
-
Realtor.com, 5 Questions to Ask Before Selling Your Home—and Why Missing Even One Can Cost You Dearly, 2019
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Kansas Bar Association publication, 2017
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The Kansas Bar Association publication, YLS Spotlight: Rick Davis, 2017
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Pizza Today, Commercial Leasing Tips for First Time Restaurateurs, 2016
- MortgageLoan.com, 2016
- Recruiter.com, 2016
- Kabbage.com, 2016
- Owners.com, 5 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Attorney, 2016
- The Realtor.com, https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/seller-disclosure-rules/?is_wp_site=1, 2016
- Realtor.com, Bad Neighbors, and Other Nightmares You Might Need to Disclose to Buyers, 2016
- Washburn Law Journal Managing Editor, 2013
Bar Admissions
- Kansas, 2013
- Missouri, 2016
- U.S. District Court District of Kansas
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri
Other Affiliations
- Kansas Bar Association, 2016 - 2017 (Legislative Liaison)
- Missouri Bar Association, 2016 - Present (Member)
- Kansas Association of Realtors, 2019 - Present (Member)
- Trial Law Institute, 2019 - Present (Member)
- Construction Lawyers Society of America, 2019 - Present (Associate Fellow)
- Diversity Law Institute, 2019 - Present (Member)
- American Bar Foundation, 2017 - Present (Fellow)
Photo
Contact
1035 SW Gage Blvd
Ste 200
Topeka, KS 66604
Phone Number: 785-670-8786
Email: Send a message
Hours: Monday - Thursday (9:00 am - 4:30 pm) Friday (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
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