Thomas R. Buchanan

Thomas R. Buchanan serves as General Counsel and Shareholder at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C. He leads the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Construction & Architect/Engineer Law, and Transportation Law groups. With more than 40 years of experience, Mr. Buchanan handles complex civil litigation in both state and federal courts across the United States. His broad practice includes construction disputes, professional liability, tort claims, employment law, insurance coverage, product liability, trade secrets, and class actions. He is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is often lead counsel in high-stakes cases nationwide.

Mr. Buchanan earned his J.D. from the University of Kansas in 1980 and holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Washburn University in 1977.

Mr. Buchanan’s strong litigation background is supported by practical problem-solving skills developed over decades of handling diverse legal matters. He is recognized for his leadership and service within the legal community, including his role as co-founder and past president of the Earl E. O’Connor Inn of Court. He has also served on the Civil Bench Bar Committee of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

Beyond his active legal practice, Mr. Buchanan has been consistently recognized for excellence in construction law and business litigation. He has been selected to Super Lawyers, named to The Best Lawyers in America, and holds an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for professional ethics and legal ability.

Licensed in Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado, Thomas R. Buchanan is a respected advocate trusted by clients across industries. He continues to advise and represent businesses, professionals, and organizations in disputes involving risk, liability, and high exposure, always with a focus on legal excellence and client outcomes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, PC
• Member, Kansas Bar Association
• Member, Missouri Bar Association
• Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar
• Member, Johnson County Bar Association
• Member, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• Member, American Association for Justice
• Member, The Voice of the Defense Bar

Licensed State

• Missouri
• Kansas
• Colorado

Education

• University of Kansas
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Washburn University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges