MICHAEL R. O'NEAL
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Mr. O’Neal was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1951 and was raised in Western Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas on a National Science Foundation Scholarship, received a B.A. in English in 1973 and his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of law in 1976. During law school, he clerked in the Office of Legislative Counsel for two years and was Co-Chairman of Moot Court Council his third year. He is admitted to practice in Kansas state and federal courts and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. He served two terms on the KU Law Society Board of Governors and is currently a member of the Kansas Judicial Council. Association memberships include Kansas Bar Association, Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, Kansas Association of Defense Counsel and Defense Research Institute.
He has served in the Kansas House of Representatives since 1985. He is currently and has for 10 years been the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He has also served as Chairman of the House Redistricting Committee and the House Education Committee and was twice elected to the position of Republican Whip. He, along with John Hayes of the firm, also serves as a Commissioner with the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. He serves on the National Conference of State Legislatures.
He was selected to Leadership Hutchinson in 1984, Leadership Kansas in 1985 and Outstanding Young Men of America in 1986. He received the “Making a Difference” award from the Kansas Bar Association in 1997 and is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the Midwest and Who’s Who Among Emerging American Leaders. He is a frequent lecturer on legislative changes, legislative procedure and medical malpractice issues. His practice primarily involves representation of health care providers, and he serves as General Counsel for the Kansas Building Industry Association and the Kansas Building Industry Workers Compensation Fund.
He is married and has two children. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Hutchinson YMCA, and his wife, Cindy, works for the Kansas Legislature during session and volunteers for the Kansas State Fair.
