James R. Hobbs, Attorney

Following his graduation from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Law School in 1981, James R. Hobbs began a three-year career with the office of the Jackson County Public Defender, both as an investigator and then as an Assistant Public Defender. In that capacity, he gained significant trial experience. Later, in 1984, he joined Linde Thomson Fairchild Langworthy Kohn & Van Dyke, P.C. This large firm in Kansas City was where he spent seven years of his career as an attorney involved in all areas of litigation, trying both civil and criminal cases. While at Linde Thomson, he began representing individuals and corporations in white collar criminal investigations and parallel regulatory proceedings. In 1987, Mr. Hobbs became an adjunct instructor at the University of Missouri at Kansas City Law School for a course entitled "Criminal Trial Techniques" along with his current fellow shareholder, James R. Wyrsch. He continues to serve in this position. He has also taught litigation courses for and was a member of the Advisory Board for paralegals studying at Avila College. In 1989, Mr. Hobbs was a recipient of the Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award of the Missouri Bar Association, an award selected with direct input by the federal and state judges of the greater Kansas City area. (Three awards are given each year for the Kansas City, St. Louis, and "out-state" areas of  Missouri.) In 1991, Mr. Hobbs joined the firm now known as Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, P.C.

Mr. Hobbs has extensive experience in both civil and criminal cases with particular emphasis in white collar criminal defense work. He has been involved in numerous negotiations in white collar issues of many different complexions. He has tried cases in areas such as criminal enforcement of environmental laws, defense of health care prosecutions, representation of individuals and corporations charged with business crimes, and defense of political corruption prosecutions. Moreover, he has experience in criminal anti-trust cases and representing individuals in parallel proceedings including appearances before professional licensing boards. His practice also involves grand jury representation and pretrial representation of individuals and corporations under investigation for criminal conduct. Mr. Hobbs has also represented individuals charged with violent offenses and narcotics violations. He has tried many high profile cases in courts throughout the country, particularly in the State of Missouri and the Midwest.

He has served as president of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is listed in the "National Directory of Criminal Lawyers" as well as in the "Best Lawyer in America" in criminal law. Mr. Hobbs was the KCMBA Criminal Law Committee chairman in 1991 and 1992. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Hobbs was one of the first recipients of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association's Congenial Counselor Award. In 2003, Mr. Hobbs received the Ross T. Roberts Inn of Court, H. Michael Coburn Professional Excellence Award, and he was named Practitioner of the Year by the UMKC Law Alumni Association in 2006. For 2008, Mr. Hobbs is the chapter president for ABOTA's Western Missouri, Eastern Kansas Chapter. Super Lawyer Magazine recognized Mr. Hobbs in 2005, 2006, and 2007 as one of the best lawyers in Missouri and Kansas.

Mr. Hobbs is a frequent lecturer at programs presented by the Missouri Bar Association, the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, and has also appeared on several occasions in programs sponsored by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Mr. Hobbs has been married for over 20 years and has six children. He is actively involved in his children's lives and activities.