Kirk Goza has been trying lawsuits and managing significant pieces of litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants throughout the country for over thirty years. Prior to starting Goza & Honnold, LLC, Kirk was a partner at a nationally recognized products liability defense firm where he was head of the firm’s tort section and specialized in medical malpractice, products liability and pharmaceutical litigation.
In 2005, Kirk along with his long-time friend and law partner Brad Honnold started Goza & Honnold, LLC. Kirk wanted to use the trial skills and the knowledge that he had honed as a defense lawyer to provide unique representation to those who had been seriously injured and were often most in need of help. Kirk’s primary focus for the last ten years has been plaintiffs’ personal injury, medical malpractice, medical device and pharmaceutical drug, products liability and complex litigation. In that regard, Kirk and Brad have represented thousands of clients in several national litigations including Vioxx, Bextra/Celebrex, Fleets Phospho Soda, Trans Vaginal Mesh, DePuy ASR, Zimmer Durom, Pradaxa, Fosamax, Actos and Power Morcdellator.
Kirk has been recognized by his peers and judges for his trial skills. In 1993, based on the recommendation of State Court Judges, Kirk received the Lon O. Hocker award as one of the three outstanding young trial lawyers in Missouri. Ten years later, in 2003, Kirk became a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation only fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers. In 2009, Kirk was inducted into the International Society of Barristers and in 2013 the International Academy of Trial Lawyers admission to both organizations is based on recognized trial skills. Kirk now dedicates his trial skills to helping and protecting those who have been harmed by the negligent acts of others.
Kirk is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, served on the Board of Directors and is a past president of the organization’s Western Missouri/Eastern Kansas chapter. Kirk is “Board Certified” as a trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy1. Kirk has been listed on numerous occasions in the “Best Lawyers” in America, “Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers”, including being named one of Missouri’s top ten lawyers in 2013 and 2015.
Kirk willingly shares his experience with other lawyers and is a frequent writer and lecturer on the topics of trial practice and technique. Kirk understands that not every case should be taken to trial and there are times when alternative dispute resolution serves an important purpose. In that regard, Kirk is frequently called upon to act as a mediator in high profile cases.
Kirk is actively involved in the community and in the past has served on numerous charitable Boards and organizations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Foundation Workshop and Youth Service Alliance of Greater Kansas City. Kirk and his wife, Shirley, also a lawyer, met while both were at KU law school. Kirk and Shirley have three children.
