St Joseph, MO

Gary Patterson

Gary Patterson is the managing member of Patterson Legal Group, L.C., representing injured people for over 20 years. He earned his J.D. from Washburn University (1989), an M.A. in Criminal Justice Administration from University of Central Missouri (1981), and a B.S. in Psychology from Missouri Western State University (1976). He previously worked as a probation and parole officer for the State of Missouri and clerked for the Kansas Department of Administration and Shawnee County District Court Judges. He is recognized as a Super Lawyer and one of the Top 100 Kansas Trial Lawyers (2009-2020), having successfully litigated wrongful death, medical malpractice, and automotive product liability cases, recovering millions for clients.

Tyler Patterson

Tyler Patterson is a trial attorney with Patterson Legal Group, L.C., representing accident victims and their families. He graduated from Washburn Law School with awards for trial advocacy and as the top Health Law student. He also holds an MBA from Acton School of Business and a B.S. in Health Administration from Truman State University. His experience includes working with the Texas Medical Association and the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) in Washington, D.C., contributing to "Lemon Laws" and highway safety standards. He is a contributing editor for Westlaw’s Automotive Design Liability. An avid runner, he has completed over twenty marathons, ultra-marathons, and 100-mile races.

Jay Sizemore

Jay Sizemore is a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience in personal injury litigation, specializing in car accident cases. He has a background as a criminal prosecutor and defense attorney. He is the third generation of his family to work at Sizemore, Burns & Gillmore LLC. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kansas State University and graduated from Washburn Law School in Topeka in 2001. He is licensed to practice law in Kansas State and Federal Courts, having tried over 50 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials, and argued several cases before the Kansas Court of Appeals. He is an active member of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Kansas Bar Association, and the Wichita Bar Association.

Christina Smith

Christina Smith is an attorney at Patterson Legal Group with two decades of experience in personal injury law, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, and slip and fall cases. She also has experience in family law, social security and disability, and workers’ compensation. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Missouri Western State University (1997) and her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (2000). She is admitted to practice in Missouri and the US District Court of Western Missouri, and is a member of the Buchanan County Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association.

Kesia Smith

Kesia Smith is an attorney at Patterson Legal Group with over 18 years of experience in personal injury litigation. She was born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, and earned her Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Missouri Western State University. After working as a claims adjuster, she pursued law, graduating from the University of Missouri Kansas City with a J.D. and LLM. She has practiced plaintiff’s injury and worker’s compensation cases in Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Overland Park, Kansas. She serves on the Board of Legal Aid of Western Missouri, advocating for legal assistance for those who cannot afford it. Kesia enjoys traveling, watching baseball, and listening to podcasts.

Creath S. Thorne

Creath S. Thorne is a St. Joseph native attorney with over 30 years of legal experience, having started private practice in 1984. He opened his own law practice almost two decades ago, handling nearly 5,000 cases. He holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, an honor for the top 10% of attorneys. He has handled cases and filed briefs with the US Supreme Court, Mississippi Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, and Eighth Circuit Court.

Monique Centeno

Monique Centeno joined Patterson Legal Group in 2021, bringing extensive experience and knowledge. Previously, she served as a District Court Judge in the 18th Judicial District of Kansas, presiding over trials and known for her compassionate approach. Before her judgeship, Monique was a trial attorney at Wall Huntington Trial Law, representing individuals and families in medical malpractice, wrongful death, discrimination, bus collisions, auto accidents, and homeowner negligence cases. She graduated from Washburn University School of Law in 2005, where she discovered her calling for trial advocacy and mastered persuasion. After graduation, she represented clients in high-level felonies, parental rights termination, and consumer protection cases. Monique is passionate about community volunteering, serving as a Commissioner on the State of Kansas’ Commission on Racial Equity and Justice, mentoring students, and distributing food through Common Ground and Salvation Army.