Tom PortoInjury & Civil Rights Lawyer

816-221-2288
Tom Porto

Get to know Tom

Tom Porto is a Kansas City trial attorney at the Popham Injury Law, dedicated to fighting for the rights of all Kansas Citians. His current practice focuses on catastrophic injury, car crashes, wrongful death, and civil rights lawsuits. Tom is known for his courtroom skill, ethical advocacy, and commitment to justice.

Tom's background in public defense influenced him to seek out cases where there’s a disproportion of power associated with the client’s injury or with the abuse they’ve faced. He is drawn to help people who’ve dealt with oppressive systems before, or have been enduring them for a long time. Not only does he find he connects best with the people behind these cases—he's come to expect something incredible will happen. 

Tom Porto is a Kansas City trial attorney who dedicates his practice to advocating for victims of civil rights abuse, personal injury and medical malpractice. Tom’s passion is representing individuals wronged by any entity.

Tom began his career as a Missouri State Public Defender where he honed his trial skills. In 2017, Tom was honored with the prestigious Lon O. Hocker Award, presented to one trial attorney in Kansas City under the age of 40 based on their “demonstrated balance between zealousness and honor, strength and courtesy, and confidence and respect.” The selection committee includes federal and state judges and the Trustees of the Missouri Bar Foundation.

In 2018, Tom was elected by fellow members of the Missouri Bar to serve on the Missouri Bar’s Board of Governors. The Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar determines policies and sets the court of action for the state bar to follow.

Tom also is passionate about serving his fellow Kansas Citians: in 2013, Tom was appointed by Mayor Sly James as a commissioner on Kansas City’s Planned Industrial Planned Authority where Tom currently serves as Chairman of the Board.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Tom is a graduate of Rockhurst High School, the University of Missouri’s Journalism School and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School.

Tom loves Kansas City, the Royals, his wife, his daughters, and their black lab, Apollo.

Talk with Tom

Areas of Practice

  • Employment Discrimination
  • Catastrophic Injury
  • Auto Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Wrongful Death

Notable Verdicts

  • $10 million verdict for unarmed mother shot while pregnant by a sheriff's deputy
  • Obtained an undisclosed settlement in high-profile litigation over the drunk-driving crash that catastrophically injured five-year-old Ariel Young when Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid struck a parked vehicle.
  • Secured numerous confidential six- and seven-figure results for parents, families, and surviving children devastated by catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
  • Secured numerous confidential six- and seven-figure results in catastrophic motor vehicle injury and wrongful death cases.

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri, 2007
  • Kansas, 2015

Education

  • Missouri School of Journalism
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School

Honors & Awards

  • Lon O. Hocker Award (2017)
  • Rising Stars, Missouri & Kansas (2015–2017)
  • Super Lawyers, Missouri & Kansas (2019–2025)

Civic + Professional Leadership

  • Elected to the Missouri Bar Board of Governors (2018)
  • Chairman of the Board, Planned Industrial Expansion Authority of Kansas City
  • Elected to the 16th Circuit Judicial Commission (2024)

Memberships

  • Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Elected to the Missouri Bar Board of Governors (2018)
  • Elected to the 16th Circuit Judicial Commission (2024)

Press