Attorney Profiles

ATTORNEY PROFILES

Judge Gavel — Gregory J. Pappas in Overland Park KS

Gregory J. Pappas- Partner


Greg was admitted to the Kansas Bar and the U.S. District Court, District of Kansas in 1984. In 1987, Greg was admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. In 1989, Greg was admitted to practice in Missouri and U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri. He was admitted to U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit in 1995. B.S. 1981 Kansas State University. J.D. 1984 Washburn University of Topeka. Greg is a member of the Wyandotte County, Johnson County (Kansas), and Kansas Bar Associations as well as the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association and the Missouri Bar. Greg's areas of practice are commercial litigation, commercial landlord and tenant law and business law.

Judge Gavel — Austin B. Hayden in Overland Park KS

Austin B. Hayden- Partner

OVERVIEW 
Austin Hayden joined McNeilePappas PC in 2011. Austin focuses his practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation, banking and related financial institution litigation, and commercial landlord/tenant law. He also has experience defending clients from a variety of consumer protection claims, including claims arising under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and state consumer protection statutes.

EDUCATION 
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, J.D., 2011, cum laude
  • University of Kansas, B.A., Political Science, 2007
BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS
  • Missouri
  • Kansas
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • United States District Court for the District of Kansas
  • United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
PERSONAL 
Outside of work, Austin is an avid sports fan, devoting his time to the University of Kansas basketball and football teams, the Kansas City Royals, and the Denver Broncos. During the summer months, you can find him on the golf course. He lives in Olathe with his wife, Stephanie.
Judge Gavel — Joshua R. Westberg in Overland Park KS

Joshua R. Westberg- Partner
Licensed in KS, MO and CO

OVERVIEW 
Joshua graduated from Loyola University Chicago where he majored in Business-Marketing and played varsity soccer. After his undergraduate studies, Josh attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. During Law School, Josh was a member of the UMKC Law Review and the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Josh joined the firm as a law clerk in August 2013 during his third year of law school. He later took on administrative duties in the collections department and was promoted to Associate Attorney and Administrative Support Supervisor upon passing the Missouri Bar. Currently, Josh is responsible for the Administrative, Docket, and Garnishment teams at McNeilePappasPC In addition, Josh focuses his practice on Debt Collection Litigation.

EDUCATION
  • B.A, Marketing, Loyola University Chicago- 2011
  • J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law- 2014
BAR ADMISSIONS
  • Missouri- 2015
  • Kansas- 2015
  • Colorado- 2018
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation- 2015
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
The Missouri Bar Missouri Creditors Bar, Inc.

AREAS OF PRACTICE
Creditor's Rights 
Collections 
Contract Law

Kathryn E. Jackson- Partner 
Licensed in KS, MO and CO

Judge Gavel — Kathryn E. Jackson in Overland Park KS
OVERVIEW
Kathryn “Katie” Jackson attended Truman State University where she studied psychology and statistics. Upon graduating in 2005 with her bachelor's degree, Katie worked for a major automotive finance company prior to going to law school. Katie attended the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law and graduated in May of 2013. 
While in law school, Katie excelled in the school’s moot court program, worked as a research editor for the Urban Lawyer, and was an active member of and published in the UMKC Law Review. Katie also interned with the Jackson County Counselor’s office, the Missouri Public Defender’s Office and worked as a judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Beth Phillips of the United States District Court of the Western District of Missouri.

Katie joined the firm in December of 2013. In addition to representing the firm’s clients in Kansas and Missouri, Katie is the audit and compliance manager at the firm.
EDUCATION
B.S., Psychology, Truman State University, cum laude – 2005
J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law – 2013 

BAR ADMISSIONS
Missouri – 2013
Kansas – 2014

PUBLICATION
Grand Theft Free Speech? An Analysis of First Amendment Restrictions on Violent Video Game Legislation, 81 UMKC L. Rev. 725 (2013).

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Missouri Creditors Bar, Inc.
The National Creditors Bar Association

AREAS OF PRACTICE
Creditor’s Rights
Collections
Contract Law

Kevin D. Evers - Associate

Licensed in MO

Bio coming soon


Bio coming soon

Melissa A. Watts - Associate Attorney 
Licensed in KS and MO

OVERVIEW
 Bio coming soon
EDUCATION
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