2023 Up & Coming Awards: Taylor L. Connolly, 34

Principal, Brown & James, Kansas City

Practice Areas: Business and commercial litigation, construction law, insurance law, premises and retail liability, professional liability, product liability

Law School: William & Mary Law School

“Every day is a collection of accomplishments, both professionally and personally,” says Taylor Connolly. “Professionally, in terms of advancing my clients’ cases that much closer to a favorable resolution, ideally. Personally, each second spent with my young children and my wife, who is my inspiration for everything I do.”

In addition to representing and defending clients through all facets of complex civil litigation, Connolly is often called upon to represent clients against multi-party claims asserted pre-suit. He has successfully resolved many such claims in both Kansas and Missouri without the need for prolonged litigation. When matters must be tried, he is experienced in securing favorable jury verdicts for his clients. His experience ranges from having secured a complete defense verdict following a jury trial in which more than $8 million was sought as damages to obtaining multiple judgments in his clients’ favor through dispositive motion practice.

Connolly was inspired to become a lawyer by the documentary “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.” He recalls, “The disparity between the abundant resources of the State’s prosecution as against three young, impoverished and overwhelmed but wrongfully targeted suspects led me to want to make a difference. That ultimately culminated in my passion for the law.”

What advice do you have for young lawyers?

Seek training and constructive criticism. Earning a law degree and passing the bar only turn a key and open the door to the practice of law. Learning how to practice requires humility and the desire to be trained.

What is the best career advice you have received?

“Make sure your shoes are shined, your fingernails are clean and trimmed, and you’re dressed presentably every day before the jury. Before you open your mouth, the jury is judging your credibility from your appearance.” — Trial lawyer, who will remain anonymous

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am a third-degree black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do.