Michele O’Malley

With more than two decades of experience in commercial and business litigation, Michele O’Malley is a trusted advocate and problem-solver in the field of real estate law. Since joining the firm’s Kansas City office in 2016, she has built a reputation for handling complex real estate litigation matters, including receivership, commercial and residential foreclosures, workouts, title defect resolution, landlord-tenant disputes, utility easement enforcement, condemnation actions, and real estate sales contract conflicts.

Michele is particularly renowned for her expertise in receivership law, helping lending institutions secure court-appointed receivers to effectively manage distressed assets. She also serves as defense counsel in lender liability cases, bringing a strategic, results-driven approach to her advocacy.

As a former licensed real estate agent, Michele offers a unique perspective on real estate transactions, allowing her to anticipate legal challenges before they arise. She works closely with property owners and insurers, providing tailored solutions to resolve title defects and loan documentation issues, ensuring smooth REO closings while minimizing future litigation risks.

Michele’s influence extends beyond the courtroom. She previously served on the Kansas Supreme Court’s Ad Hoc Court Record Committee, where she played a key role in shaping recommendations for improving court record-keeping and guiding necessary amendments to statutes, Court rules, and administrative orders. Within the firm, she serves on the Professional Development Committee, designing and delivering CLE programming to foster both internal growth and client engagement. As co-chair of the Mentoring Committee, Michele actively develops and implements policies that support associate attorneys in their career advancement and overall well-being.

Committed to giving back, Michele is the co-founder of Project Linus – Topeka Chapter, an organization dedicated to providing handmade blankets to children in hospitals and crisis situations across Northeast Kansas. Under her leadership, the initiative has collected more than 8,000 blankets, offering comfort and care to children in need. She also serves as President of the Shawnee Mission Northwest Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and is a member of the Shawnee Mission Northwest PTSA Board of Directors.

Outside of work, Michele is a passionate supporter of the arts. She enjoys attending classical music performances, including those by the Kansas City Symphony, and takes great pride in watching her daughter perform with the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and the Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra.