Automobile and Tractor Trailer Liability
Whether it involves a catastrophic injury or a wrongful death, McDonald Tinker focuses on one thing: winning. And our trial attorneys have the jury trial track record to prove it. McDonald Tinker is retained on a daily basis by insurance companies to represent their insureds and by those injured due to the negligence of others. Representing both plaintiffs and defendants in automobile liability cases provides our trial attorneys with a unique and coveted advantage.

When hired by insurance companies or businesses, we pride ourselves in focusing our defense on the key issues and providing the best defense possible in efficient and economical manner.

On plaintiff cases, we prefer to work on a contingency-fee basis so that our time and efforts pay off only when we win. Our interests are aligned with our clients – we want to achieve the best-possible outcome at the lowest possible cost.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Alvin D. Herrington  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Richard W. James  |  Kevin M. McMaster Scott E. Sanders  |  Donald H. Snook

Aviation Law
Our attorneys possess the expertise to provides advice and assistance to aviation related clients (manufacturers, repair facilities, and pilots) on regulatory requirements, NTSB investigations, contract drafting, and negotiations.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Kevin M. McMaster  |  BACK TO TOP

Bankruptcy
The decision to seek the protection of bankruptcy is often stressful, emotion and difficult to make. McDonald Tinker attorneys make every effort to guide their clients smoothly through the bankruptcy process. Our attorneys offer their superior legal services to individuals, couples, and businesses seeking protection under either Chapter 7 or 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Dallas L. Rakestraw  |  BACK TO TOP

Business Litigation
McDonald Tinker’s Business Litigation Practice Group counsels businesses of all sizes through disputes and Civil Litigation. A significant part of the practice involves complex, multijurisdictional matters. This practice has particular experience in cases involving corporate and partnership litigation, employee benefits and executive compensation litigation, labor and employment, professional liability claims, Trusts and Estates litigation, and real estate litigation, corporate governance, commercial contracts, alternative dispute resolution, franchises and dealerships.

Due to our wide-range of experience, excellent reputation, trial advocacy skills, and record of success, we have a diverse roster of clients who rely on us to aggressively represent them for all of their business litigation needs. We are sensitive to our clients’ needs and understand the impact of litigation on our client’s bottom line. McDonald Tinker attorneys work closely with our clients to implement innovative, cost-effective, and efficient management of each case and, when appropriate, utilize alternative dispute resolution options to the traditional litigation model.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Richard T. Foster  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Kevin M. McMaster  |  Scott E. Sanders
Donald H. Snook  |  BACK TO TOP

Catastrophic Injury/Wrongful Death
Catastrophic Personal Injury cases involve seeking large dollar damages due to the negligence of an individual or business entity and typically involves complex medical evidence and issues of causation. If you or your loved one has suffered from a catastrophic injury, the resolution of your Personal Injury claim will determine the quality of care you will receive for the rest of your life as well as your financial security.

Our catastrophic injury attorneys represent clients suffering from a wide range of serious and debilitating injuries, including those involving:

If you or your loved one suffers from a catastrophic injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may require years or even a lifetime of rehabilitation and medical treatment. Do not gamble with the financial resources you will need by working with inexperienced trial counsel. We work with a team of investigators and medical experts to make sure the responsible party and the jury understands the devastating impact of your injury on your life and the lives of your loved ones. Our catastrophic injury attorneys are very aggressive and have an incredibly successful settlement and jury trial verdict success rate to prove it.

We take these cases on a contingent fee basis. This means we only get paid if you recover.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Richard W. James  |  Scott E. Sanders  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  BACK TO TOP

Civil Rights Law
Lawsuits alleging constitutional violations are especially challenging and require attorneys with unique qualifications and expertise. McDonald Tinker attorneys regularly handle such cases in both federal and state court. Our firm possesses the capabilities and resources to aggressively pursue our clients’ interests.
Edward L. Keeley  |  Donald H. Snook  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  BACK TO TOP

Corporate and Business Law
McDonald Tinker represents many clients in the areas of business, real estate, corporate and health law and in the areas of contract negotiations, buy-sell agreements, incorporations, mergers and acquisitions.
Richard T. Foster  |  Kevin M. McMaster  |  Scott E. Sanders  |  Donald H. Snook
Dallas L. Rakestraw  |  BACK TO TOP

Creditors' Rights
Our attorneys represent business creditors in recovering outstanding debts through collections actions and in bankruptcy. Additionally, McDonald Tinker represents banking institutions in foreclosure proceedings. Our firm also has experience representing creditors in adversary proceedings before the United States Bankruptcy Court.
Jennifer M. Hill  |  Dallas L. Rakestraw  |  Scott E. Sanders  |  BACK TO TOP

Employment Law
Our firm’s attorneys represent defendants involved in all aspects of the growing employment law area. We handle all claims involving civil rights discrimination, including race, sex, age, religion, disability and veterans’ status, claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, ERISA, Family Medical Leave Act and claims related to sexual harassment, non-competition agreements and Social Security disability.
Richard W. James  |  Edward L. Keeley  |  Donald H. Snook  |  BACK TO TOP

Estate, Financial, and Investment Litigation
Sometimes, professionals fail to do the right thing for the right reasons. Property may not be properly transferred to a created trust, or there is a failure to properly take federal or state tax consequences into account. Whether it is in the area of the estate of a deceased loved one, or one’s own financial situation being harmed by inappropriate advice by a financial professional, we can help. Financial professionals under state law owe their clients a fiduciary duty to act in their best interests. When that duty is breached, their clients can suffer horrible financial results. Over the years, we have represented parties involved in estate, financial, and investment related litigation. For detailed information, click here.
Robert G. Martin  |  BACK TO TOP

Estate Planning and Probate
Estate planning requires the preparation of documents individualized for the client, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, non-probate transfers, testamentary trusts, health and financial powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements, and buy/sell agreements, among other things. The firm represents fiduciaries in probate and the administration of trusts, as well as in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. For detailed information, click here.
Richard T. Foster  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Robert G. Martin  |  BACK TO TOP

Fire / Carbon Monoxide Liability
The trial attorneys at McDonald Tinker have litigated fire and carbon monoxide cases all over the United States. Whether we are retained by a manufacturer, the alleged tortfeasor or the injured party, we have the experience, expertise and dedication to bring the case to successful closure.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Scott E. Sanders  |  BACK TO TOP

General Civil Litigation
At McDonald Tinker, we are trial attorneys, not discovery litigators. We approach each case as if it is headed for trial. Everything that we do is designed to prepare our attorneys to persuade a jury. When you are represented by McDonald Tinker, the opposing party will know that you are willing to take the case all the way to a verdict if necessary; this fact alone can make a good settlement possible. We litigate cases all over Kansas in both federal and state courts.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Alvin D. Herrington  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Richard W. James
Edward L. Keeley  |  Robert G. Martin  |  Kevin M. McMaster  |  Scott E. Sanders
Donald H. Snook  |  BACK TO TOP

Health Care Law
McDonald Tinker attorneys possess experience in the comprehensive area of Health Care Law. Our attorneys have expertise in the areas of federal and state regulation of medicine and compliance programs, patients’ rights, health-insurance matters. Bioethical policies and issues, confidentiality procedures, managed care organizations, medical credentialing, physician employment agreements, and medical antitrust issues.
Richard T. Foster  |  BACK TO TOP

Insurance Law
Our attorneys represent insureds and major insurers in complex litigation including cases involving environmental liability issues. We also provide coverage opinions for a variety of coverage related matters including the duty to defend or indemnify. Several of our attorneys have considerable experience with claims for first-party losses from hail, theft and fire.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Alvin D. Herrington  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Richard W. James
Kevin M. McMaster  |  Scott E. Sanders  |  BACK TO TOP

Landlord / Land Owner Tenant Liability
Our attorneys are uniquely experienced in handling all aspects of landlord, land owner and tenant liability matters, including security and safety issues.
Kevin M. McMaster  |  BACK TO TOP

Mediation
The firm has several attorneys with training and experience in alternative dispute resolution. In this area of practice, McDonald Tinker attorneys act as neutral third parties facilitating the resolution and settlement of claims and lawsuits between plaintiffs and defendants in Civil Litigation matters, including Personal Injury litigation, employment law, and business litigation. All civil cases in the federal court system require some type of ADR prior to the commencement of the discovery process; McDonald Tinker can assist parties in the meeting this requirement.
Jennifer M. Hill  |  BACK TO TOP

Medical Malpractice Defense
Health care professionals who find themselves the subject of litigation need representation by attorneys who understand the inherent challenges and difficulties of practicing medicine in service to others. Of course this must be joined with knowledge and experience in litigation within the legal system or representation before peer review or licensing boards. Our firm has a long history of successfully defending physicians, psychologists, dentists, physician assistants, and hospitals and their support staff members who may find themselves in need of legal counsel. Understanding the complexities of defending health care professionals and their particular needs are strengths of all the attorneys who practice in this area.
Edward L. Keeley  |  Robert G. Martin  |  Larry Shoaf  |  Donald H. Snook  |  BACK TO TOP

Municipal Liability Defense
Attorneys in our firm represent various governmental entities, including cities, counties, school districts, townships and their elected officials and employees, in a variety of legal matters and litigation. The areas of representation include civil rights claims for excessive force and false arrest, employment discrimination, wage and hour claims, actions under the Kansas Tort Claims Act, and matters under the Kansas Open Meetings law and Kansas Open Records Act.
Edward L. Keeley  |  Robert G. Martin  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Donald H. Snook  |  BACK TO TOP

Personal Injury
From minor slip and falls to catastrophic vehicular collisions, McDonald Tinker has a long history of vigorously litigating Personal Injury cases. Whether the firm is defending an insured or pursuing a recovery on behalf of an injured party, McDonald Tinker relies upon its seasoned litigators and long history of Civil Litigation excellence in aggressively representing its clients. No matter how minor or serious the injury may be, McDonald Tinker approaches each case the same way; because the suit or claim is always significant to the client, each client deserves the best representation possible.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Richard W. James  |  Edward L. Keeley
Robert G. Martin  |  Scott E. Sanders  |  Donald H. Snook  |  BACK TO TOP

Premises Liability
Injuries often occur due to the surroundings of an individual and not because of the direct actions of another person. However, there are many legal pitfalls for the unsuspecting parties who find themselves as defendants or as an injured party with high medical bills. We can offer advice as to the responsibilities of land owners and the injured party.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Alvin D. Herrington  |  Edward L. Keeley  |  Robert G. Martin
Scott E. Sanders  |  Donald H. Snook  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  BACK TO TOP

Product Liability Defense
Our firm has extensive experience in the defense of vendors and manufacturers and their insurance carriers in the traditional product areas of automobile, machinery, aircraft and consumer product manufacturing. In addition, members of the firm are well versed in the defense of more non-traditional claims such as drug, medical device, asbestos and chemical Product Liability.
Dustin L. DeVaughn  |  Alvin D. Herrington  |  Richard W. James  |  Kevin M. McMaster
Scott E. Sanders  |  Donald H. Snook  |  BACK TO TOP

Professional Liability Defense
Professionals engaged in the practice of medicine, law, accounting, insurance, construction and engineering draw upon our expertise when confronted with issues of professional liability. One of McDonald Tinker’s strongest areas of practice has been – and remains – defense of health care professionals.
Edward L. Keeley  |  Robert G. Martin  |  Kevin M. McMaster  |  Larry Shoaf  |  BACK TO TOP

School District Liability Defense
Our firm has represented school districts across the state of Kansas in all areas of litigation in all Courts including the United States Supreme Court. We have successfully defended public schools in Title IX lawsuits, discrimination matters, injuries to students/staff and cases involving student speech. Our client’s represent the largest school district in the state of Kansas and some of the most rural districts that have unexpectedly been haled into Court. Often counsel representing small school districts will consult our attorneys during litigation and we can provide resources and experience to assist counsel not as experienced in school litigation matters. Our attorneys have also provided seminars to school districts to help them avoid costly and lengthy litigation.
Richard W. James  |  Robert G. Martin  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  BACK TO TOP

Social Security Disability Cases
The process of obtaining Social Security Disability benefits is often drawn out and frustrating. McDonald Tinker attorneys vigorously represent their clients through the application and appeals process.
Alvin D. Herrington  |  BACK TO TOP

Toxic Torts
In today’s society, businesses face growing exposure to allegations of injuries caused by toxic chemicals and bacteria. McDonald Tinker attorneys regularly defend toxic tort cases, including toxic chemicals, gases and substances cases; welding cases; mold cases; and cases involving Pentachlorophenol, salmonella, E-coli and other bacterial and parasitic food-borne illnesses.
Alvin D. Herrington  |  BACK TO TOP

Workers’ Compensation Defense
Our workers’ compensation practice is one of the largest in the State of Kansas. Many of our attorneys have contributed to, or have edited, legal publications in the workers’ compensation practice area and are frequently asked to lecture or present seminars on topics related to this subject. For detailed information, click here.
Vincent A. Burnett  |  P. Kelly Donley  |  Jennifer M. Hill  |  Robert G. Martin
Dallas L. Rakestraw  |  Mattew J. Schaefer  |  Larry Shoaf  |  BACK TO TOP