About Us

Ted Beckett and Jeff Hensley believe the best legal advice begins with a simple question: “How can we help?” The firm’s principals are compassionate listeners, keen researchers, and are relentless in the pursuit of justice.

As honest, innovative and strategic legal counselors, Beckett & Hensley, L.C. has built a legal practice on a foundation of collaboration and integrity. They work closely with their clients to develop winning strategies, and communicate effectively to judge and jury to achieve the desired results.

Expertise as Counselors & Litigators Include:

Theodore C. Beckett, III

Throughout his career, Ted Beckett has represented individuals and entities in complex personal injury, commercial and class action matters in federal and state courts and arbitrations in Kansas City and across the country.

Ted is a lifelong Kansas City resident. After graduating with an Economics degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, Ted attended the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1978. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1978 and is licensed to practice in the State of Missouri and the U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri and the District of Kansas. Ted practiced law with his father in Kansas City prior to founding the firm of Beckett & Hensley, L.C., in 1994.

Ted is a member of the American Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, the American Association of Justice and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. Ted has been selected by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in Missouri and has received an AV (highest) Preeminant Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation
Business Disputes, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Corporate and General Business
Construction Law
Employment Law, Wrongful Termination and Employment Discrimination
Class Actions
Real Estate Law

BAR ADMISSIONS

Missouri, 1978
U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri
U.S. District Court District of Kansas

EDUCATION

University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. J.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia, BA Economics

HONORS AND AWARDS

Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine
Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale – Hubbell

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION AND MEMBERSHIPS

American Bar Association
Missouri Bar Association
Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
American Association of Justice
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

JEFFREY M. HENSLEY

Throughout his career, Jeff has represented numerous individual and business clients in many areas of the law, including personal injury and wrongful death matters, commercial/business transactions, complex commercial/business litigation, and class action litigation.

Jeff is a lifelong Kansas City resident. After graduating with a degree in public administration from Park College, Jeff attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1991. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1991 and the Kansas Bar in 1992. Jeff is licensed to practice in the State of Missouri and the State of Kansas, as well as the U.S. District Courts of Missouri (Western and Eastern Districts) and the U.S. District Court of Kansas. Out of law school, Jeff was a law clerk for the Honorable Forest W. Hannah at the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District of Missouri. Thereafter, Jeff went into private practice with his current law partner, Theodore C. Beckett, III (Ted), and co-founded the firm of Beckett & Hensley, L.C. in 1994.

Over the past 30 years, Jeff’s law practice has generally focused on Plaintiff’s Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation, Business Law and Litigation, Construction Law, Disputes and Litigation and Class Action Litigation. He has won million dollar verdicts and settlements in cases involving catastrophic personal injury, construction litigation, banking disputes and other business litigation. As lead counsel, Jeff has also successfully represented Plaintiff’s in Class Action Litigation matters across the country, including Arkansas, Connecticut, California, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, obtaining recoveries for the class members ranging from $11 million to $25 million.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation
Business Disputes, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Corporate and General Business
Complex Business Transactions
Construction Law
Employment Law, Wrongful Termination and Employment Discrimination
Class Actions
Real Estate Law

BAR ADMISSIONS

Missouri (1991)
Kansas (1992)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
U.S. District Court of Kansas

EDUCATION

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. J.D.
Park College, Public Administration

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION AND MEMBERSHIPS

American Bar Association
Missouri Bar Association
Kansas Bar Association
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Clay County Bar Association

LAURA PERKINS

Laura was born, raised and educated in Kansas City. With a passion for helping others, working at BeckettHensley gives Laura the opportunity to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a positive difference in our community and the lives of our clients.

As a Legal Assistant, Laura plays a key role in helping our attorneys secure life changing results for our clients. Laura regularly communicates with the Courts regarding the firm’s cases and required filings, maintains client files, keeps attorney schedules and other administrative tasks up-to-date. Laura’s natural ability to understand and connect with people makes her very valuable to not only our firm, but to our clients as well.

Laura is skilled in conducting research and investigations into many issues that are critical to the firm and our clients’ cases. She works closely with our attorneys in developing cases to ensure the best possible results for our clients.

TAYLER SMITH

After spending her early years in Southern California, Tayler moved with her family to Kansas City and considers herself a native Kansas Citian. For Tayler its simple, she likes to do her part to help people and make wrongs right.

When she joined BeckettHensley as a Legal Assistant, Tayler brought with her the gift of connecting with people. She uses these people skills to effectively relate to our clients and understand their concerns. Our clients appreciate and value the time she takes to listen, address their needs and ensure they fully understand their case and the litigation process.

Tayler routinely works with our attorneys in developing cases, conducting investigations and research and is often the liason between the attorneys and our clients. Tayler is a tremendous asset to our firm by making it a priority that each client receives proper care and attention to their legal matters throughout the litigation process.