Practice areas: Products Liability
Licensed in Missouri since: 1981
Education: University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
For nearly 40 years, J. Kent Emison of Langdon & Emison, in Lexington, Missouri, has dedicated his practice to advocating for individuals and families in personal injury, catastrophic injury, trucking and product liability litigation. Serving as lead trial counsel, he has secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements. Representing clients across Kansas City, Independence, Chicago and Philadelphia, he handles complex cases across the entire nation, fighting tirelessly for victims from Florida to Hawaii.
Earning his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Missouri, Mr. Emison went on to receive his J.D., with distinction, from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1981. While at law school, he served as business editor of the law review. That same year, he was admitted to practice law in Missouri and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
At the heart of Mr. Emison’s practice is a firm commitment to a personalized approach and direct, transparent communication. He understands that behind every severe injury or loss is a family navigating a life-changing event. He ensures every client receives the focused, individual attention they deserve. Prioritizing keeping clients informed at every stage of the legal process, he provides clarity, answering questions promptly and ensuring they never feel left in the dark.
Best Lawyers in America has named Mr. Emison "Lawyer of the Year" multiple times for personal injury plaintiffs' litigation in the Kansas City metro area. In 2017, he earned the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys' (MATA) Thomas G. Strong Trial Attorney Award. A past MATA President and long-time Executive Committee member, he continues to hold key leadership positions with the American Association for Justice and the Attorneys Information Exchange Group.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff- 100% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1981, Missouri
Professional Webpage: https://www.langdonemison.com/attorneys/j-kent-emison/
Bar / Professional Activity
- American Association for Justice
- Missouri Trial Attorney Magazine (Editor, 1997 – 2002)
- Missouri Bar Association
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (Past President)
- Lafayette County Bar Association (Past President)
- Kappa Alpha Order
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- Attorneys Information Exchange Group (Member, Board of Directors)
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri (1981)
- State Courts of Missouri (1981)
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Kumar v. Toyota, $59,000,000 Verdict; Wasilik v. Ford, $26,400,000 Verdict; Martin v. Ford, $16,940,000 Verdict; Mathes v. Ford, $12,500,000 Verdict; Baker v. General Motors, $11,300,000 Verdict; Reagan v. Dunaway Timber, $7,000,000; Mason v. Wal-Mart, $6,000,000 Verdict; Newton v. Trade Winds, $4,000,000 Verdict; Collins v. Missouri Bar Plan, $3,000,000 Verdict; Ludwick v. United Expresslines, $2,150,000 Verdict; McBee v. Featherlight, $2,000,000 Verdict; Travis v. Stone, $2,000,000 Verdict. This is a partial list of our firm's results. Recoveries for our clients total more than half a billion dollars.
Videos
- 2017 marked the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court argument of Baker v. GM, which was recognized by a broadcast news affiliates across the country. This news story shines a light on the significance of this historic product liability trial and its impact on consumer safety and civil justice., 20 Years After the Landmark Supreme Court Argument: Baker v. GM, 2017
Pro bono / Community Service
- Bench & Robe Honor Society
Educational Background
- J.D., With Distinction, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (1981)
- B.S., Cum Laude, University of Missouri, Columbia (1978)
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- “Electronic discovery report on truck accident litigation,” National Law Journal, August 22, 2011.
- “Danger on the Open Road (Defects in Campers, RV’s),” Trial magazine, August 2012.
- “Trial Strategies for Holding Trucking Companies Responsible for their Employees’ Negligent Conduct,” Illinois Trial Journal, Summer 2012.
- “Trial Strategies with Negligent Trucking Companies,” AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group 2012 Newsletter.
- Business Editor, University of Missouri at Kansas City Law Review, 1979-1981. Author: "1980 Missouri Probate Code-Real Estate Title Issues," 49 University of Missouri at Kansas City, Law Review, No. 4.
- “Higher Standards for Semi-Truck Underride Guards Needed to Save Lives, Reduce Manufacturers’ Liability” Thomson Reuters’ Automotive Journal, November 6, 2012.
- “Recent Developments in Conspicuity Issues in Truck Accident Litigation,” Thomson Reuters’ Automotive Journal, April 9, 2013.
- “Asleep at the Wheel; Truck Driver Fatigue,” AIEGVoice, Fall 2013.
- “Defective Guardrails on America’s Roads,” Trial, February 2015.
- “How Lack of Visibility Can Become a Major Theme in a Trucking Accident Case,” AIEGVoice, April 2016.
- “Theories of Recovery in Trucking Accident Cases Involving Insufficient Insurance,” Thomson Reuters’ Automotive Journal, May 3, 2017.
- “Defective guardrails in serious injury and death cases,” Thomson Reuters’ Automotive Journal, April 18, 2018.
- “When Guardrail Manufacturers Pursue Profits Over Safety, Consumers Pay the Price,” AIEG Voice, Winter 2018.
- “Litigation Trends and Tips for Your Distracted Driving Case,” AIEG Voice, Spring 2019.
- “Evaluating and Litigating the Fuel-Fed Fire Cases,” Illinois Trial Journal, Summer 2019.
- “Plug In: Virtual Mediations,” Trial, August 2020.
- “Defense Expert Depos,” Trial, February 2024.
- The article discusses two guardrail end terminal products on U.S. highways that have caused catastrophic injuries and fatalities due to design defects that affect the safety of these devices and how they perform in motor vehicle crashes., Co-Author, Danger on Our Highways: Guardrails that Maim and Kill, AIEGVoice, Attorneys Information Exchange Group, 2017
- This article examines themes that often emerge in traumatic brain injury cases and ways to obtain the optimal recovery for clients., Author, Litigating the "Invisible Injury:" Presenting Clients in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases, Trial Journal, 2017
- The article examines several theories of recovery in trucking accident cases where the truck company or driver has insufficient insurance., Author, Maximizing Victims' Recoveries When the Truck Company or Drive has Insufficient Insurance, AIEGVoice, Attorneys Information Exchange Group, 2017
Honors
- Member, Bench & Robe Honor Society
- The award was conceived to honor the Missouri attorney who best exemplifies the qualities of professionalism, ethics, character and courtroom success., Thomas G. Strong Trial Attorney Award, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, 2017
- The news is published in the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers in America and shared with the U.S. News & World Report "Guide to U.S. Law Firms.", Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation for Plaintiffs, Kansas City region, U.S. News & World Report, Best Lawyers, 2018
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2006 - 2026
Top Lists
Top 50: Kansas City Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2013, 2018 - 2024- Top 50: 2024 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2023 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2022 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2021 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2020 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2019 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2018 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2013 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2012 Kansas City Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2024 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2023 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2022 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2021 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2020 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2019 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2018 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2017 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2014 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2013 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2012 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2011 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers