Melanie Morgan - Kansas City, MO
Attorney at Morgan Pilate LLC Attorneys at Law
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Kansas City, MO
926 Cherry Street Kansas City, MO 64106
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
33
Years
Experience
Kansas City Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 03/02/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
- White Collar Crime
- Government Investigations
- Appeals
- Civil Rights
Attorney Information
Overview
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
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 2025 Missouri 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
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of Kansas School of Law,
Lawrence,
Kansas, 1993
J.D.
-
University of Kansas School of Law,
Lawrence,
Kansas, 1993
-
Non Legal Education
-
Kansas State University, 1989
B.A.
Major: Journalism and Mass Communications, Spanish - National Criminal Defense College, 1995
-
Kansas State University, 1989
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Managing Partner
Bar Admissions
- 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
Photo
Contact
926 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-396-5496
Email: Send a message
Website: https://morganpilate.com/
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