We are proud to be featured in the Spring 2026 issue of The Missouri Trial Attorney, which features a profile of our own Kansas City trial lawyer Cooper Mach, highlighting the values and family legacy behind his work at The Popham Law Firm.
The article, written by Stephanie Klein, explores how a second-generation attorney is building on a foundation laid over more than four decades of legal practice in the Kansas City community.
A Kansas City Legal Legacy Rooted in Family
Cooper Mach's path to the courtroom started long before law school. His father, Scott Mach, practiced law in the Kansas City area for more than four decades, and the lessons Cooper picked up growing up were less about legal strategy and more about character: how you treat people, how you show up every day, and how you handle the work when no one is watching.
Scott Mach's reputation still carries weight in the Kansas City legal community. Colleagues and community members recall interactions with him years later. That kind of lasting impression comes from decades of consistency and doing right by people.
Choosing Law on His Own Terms
Cooper Mach was not pushed into the legal profession, despite growing up in a household with two attorney parents. He initially considered a career in sports broadcasting before choosing law because it offered a meaningful way to help people and provide for a family.
Watching his father practice as a child only told part of the story. The full weight of the work, and what it means to represent someone facing a serious situation, only became real once Cooper started handling cases himself.
Carrying Values Into the Courtroom
That understanding was put to the test early. Mach's first trial as lead counsel involved a longtime Kansas City employee who, despite being medically cleared to return from disability, was left in limbo for months and ultimately lost her job.
Mach and his team took the case to trial and secured a verdict that exceeded expectations, giving the client a sense of justice after years of feeling overlooked.
The experience reinforced something his father had modeled for years: doing the work the right way matters, regardless of how things appear to be trending. That willingness to trust the process and advocate for the client is central to how Mach approaches his practice today.
A Commitment to Leveling the Playing Field
Mach now handles a number of employment-related cases and speaks openly about recognizing the opportunities he has had. He sees a responsibility in using his position to help people who may not have the same access to representation.
That perspective fits naturally within The Popham Law Firm's broader mission. Founded in 1918, the firm has spent more than a century representing individuals and families across the Kansas City metro area in cases involving serious injury, civil rights violations, and corporate accountability.
The firm has recovered more than $500 million on behalf of its clients over the course of its history. That track record reflects a consistent focus on standing with individuals against powerful institutions, whether in personal injury cases, employment disputes, or matters involving government entities.
For Mach, the principle is straightforward: use the legal system as a tool to hold the right people accountable and make someone's life better in the process.
A Good Person Who Happened to Be a Good Lawyer
When asked what he hopes his own children take away from watching him work, Mach keeps it simple. He hopes they see a good person who also happens to be a great lawyer.
It is a perspective shaped by years of watching his father, both in the courtroom and outside of it. And it reflects the kind of firm The Popham Law Firm has always aimed to be: grounded, purpose-driven, and focused on the people behind every case.
Talk to Our Kansas City Team
We’re honored to be featured in The Missouri Trial Attorney magazine, but even more proud to represent those in our community who are facing serious injuries, employment disputes, or situations involving civil rights.
All of us at the Popham Law Firm are here to listen. Our team offers free consultations and has been serving the Kansas City community for 100 years.
Call us at (816) 221-2288 to talk through your situation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.