Derek Johannsen

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Derek Johannsen is a seasoned trial lawyer specializing in civil litigation, with a sharp focus on serious physical injury, wrongful death, and severe emotional distress claims.

With an impressive 20-year track record spanning the country, Derek’s extensive experience is an invaluable asset to his clients.

Over the past two decades, Derek has skillfully navigated both sides of the courtroom, representing both injured plaintiffs and defending companies in multi-million dollar cases.

This dual perspective allows him to bring a unique and strategic approach to every case, whether he's advocating for you in court or serving as your mediator to facilitate a resolution.

Derek graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors from Saint Louis University before moving to Kansas City, where he worked for the Kansas City Royals and attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. While in law school, he received the Thomas E. Deacy, Sr. award for excellence in trial advocacy and was selected to serve as the law school Honor Court Prosecutor.

He has tried numerous jury and bench trials in Missouri and Kansas specializing in complex cases involving sexual assault, wrongful death, product liability, serious personal injury, negligence, and employment discrimination.

Derek literally wrote the chapter on Emotional Distress Claims for the Missouri Tort Lawyers Desk Reference to assist and guide other lawyers in cases involving claims related to mental health injuries and severe emotional distress.

After managing the Kansas office of a prestigious regional firm for nine years, Derek founded the Johannsen Law Firm.

Derek's exceptional legal expertise and unwavering dedication have earned him recognition as a Rising Star or Super Lawyer by his peers in the "SuperLawyers" edition of Law and Politics Magazine ten times.

Derek is licensed to practice before the state courts of Missouri and Kansas as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri, and the District of Kansas. He is a member of the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

As a mediator, Derek is Certified and Approved by the following: State of Missouri pursuant to Rule 17; United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri; and, United States District Court for the District of Kansas.

Derek is a recognized neutral and member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and the American Arbitration Association.

• University of Missouri at Kansas City / Juris Doctor - 2006, Kansas City, MO
• Saint Louis University / Honors BA Criminal Justice - 2003, St. Louis, MO

• Kansas # 22569
• Missouri # 59195
• United States District Court for the District of Kansas
• United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
• 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
• 9th Circuit court of Appeals
• 10th Circuit Court of Appeals

$395/hr.