Cheryl Pilate

Cheryl Pilate is a lawyer at Morgan Pilate, LLC, who represents clients in serious criminal and civil rights law involving individual rights and liberties. Her practice includes wrongful convictions, police brutality, death penalty cases, and significant federal and state criminal allegations. She has secured exonerations for people convicted despite evidence of actual innocence. Her civil work includes claims seeking compensation when government misconduct or wrongful prosecution has caused substantial harm.

Cheryl earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan. She later earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas. She received her J.D. from the University of Kansas. Her multidisciplinary education supports her work involving complex factual investigations, client advocacy, criminal defense, and civil rights litigation.

Cheryl began her professional career in journalism before entering legal practice. She later clerked for Judge John R. Gibson of the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Her legal career has included extensive trial and appellate work involving criminal prosecutions, wrongful convictions, constitutional rights, and government misconduct. She uses detailed factual investigation, expert consultation, and evidence analysis to identify weaknesses in government cases and develop litigation strategies.

Cheryl Pilate brings extensive criminal defense and civil litigation experience to matters involving serious allegations and violations of individual rights. She is admitted in Kansas and Missouri, several federal courts, the Eighth and Tenth Circuits, and the US Supreme Court. Her professional recognition includes an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Super Lawyers honors, and recognition from Best Lawyers in America. Her work remains focused on challenging wrongful convictions, government misconduct, and serious criminal allegations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Morgan Pilate, LLC
• Member, Kansas Bar Association
• Member, The Missouri Bar

Licensed State

• Kansas
• Missouri

Education

• University of Kansas
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Kansas
  Master of Social Work
• University of Michigan
  Bachelor of Arts

Awards & Badges