Thomas J. Erker
Thomas J. Erker is known as an aggressive, effective, and professional trial attorney who fights for his clients' interests through persistent advocacy in Kansas Courts. Tom has been trying criminal and civil cases since 1982, successfully defending and representing individuals facing criminal charges, driving under the influence, domestic relations cases, custody issues, juvenile charges, and personal injury and wrongful death cases. After starting his career as a Johnson County, Kansas Assistant District Attorney in 1982, Tom has been in private practice since 1985.
Tom's relentless hard work and well developed trial skills have benefited numerous clients facing serious criminal charges such as homicide and felony DUI. His extensive trial practice, especially in felony and DUI defense, is bolstered by the development of new defenses and strategies applied throughout every stage of a case to combat the efforts of State and City prosecutors.
Tom has lectured throughout Kansas on topics such as criminal and DUI defense, training other lawyers to defend those charged with serious criminal offenses. His unyielding pursuit of excellence has been recognized with the highest possible rating, AV*, from Martindale-Hubbell, an exclusive peer review rating system, reflecting the high esteem in which Tom is held throughout the legal community.
Tom's litigation style and willingness to try tough cases has served his many clients well in various practice areas. Tom enjoys working for those people who have placed their case in his hands with the confidence that he will work tirelessly to protect their interests in the midst of difficult times.
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
- Driving Under The Influence
- Domestic Relations
- Personal Injury
Litigation Percentage
- 50% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Kansas, 1982
- U.S. District Court District of Kansas
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas
- J.D. - 1982
- Long Island University, C.W. Post
- B.A. - 1979
- Major: Political Science
Classes/Seminars
- Lecturer, Criminal Law and Driving Under the Influence
Honors and Awards
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Named in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine, 2005
- Named in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine, 2006
- Named in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine, 2007
- Named in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine, 2008
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2007
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2008
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2009
Professional Associations and Memberships
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Life Member
- National College for DUI Defense, Founding Member
- Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Life Member
- Johnson County Bar Association, Past President
- Kansas Bar Association
Past Employment Positions
- City of Overland Park, Assistant District Attorney
- City of Overland Park, Assistant City Prosecutor, 1985








