Since graduating from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1990, Cheryl Pilate has dedicated her law practice to the protection of individual rights, including the representation of criminal defendants and others who have suffered a violation of their constitutional rights. She believes that when a citizen faces criminal charges, there is nothing more important than having a strong, dedicated and effective advocate at his or her side.
Cheryl is perhaps best known for her work on innocence cases, including obtaining the exoneration and release of persons convicted of crimes they did not commit. Cheryl currently serves as vice president of the Midwest Innocence Project, an organization that advocates for and seeks the release of the wrongfully convicted.
Cheryl’s diverse practice includes not only the zealous representation of criminal defendants, but also the representation of individuals who have suffered illegal discrimination or other violations of their constitutionally protected rights. She has also successfully sued on behalf of the wrongfully convicted, obtaining rightful compensation for years of lost liberty.
Cheryl has represented criminal defendants in the most serious and complex of criminal cases, running the gamut from first-degree and capital murder to drug and “white collar” cases including alleged fraud, tax evasion and internet “solicitation” or pornography crimes. She primarily practices in federal court, but also accepts some state court cases.
Cheryl is a 1976 graduate of the University of Michigan, where she served as co-editor-in-chief of the Michigan Daily. For several years after graduation, she worked as a newspaper reporter, including five years at the Wichita Eagle & Beacon. She obtained a Master’s in social work from the University of Kansas in 1983 and her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1990. Cheryl graduated with honors, then spent two years serving as a law clerk for the Honorable John R. Gibson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Cheryl worked for 15 years at the firm of Wyrsch, Hobbs & Mirakian. She became a shareholder at Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian in 1992 and remained there until opening her own practice with Melanie Morgan in June 2007.
Cheryl has successfully represented numerous defendants facing capital charges as well as clients on death row. Her work on behalf of the wrongfully convicted included the successful representation of Ellen Reasonover, who served more than 16 years in prison for a murder she did not commit, and her representation of Darryl Burton, who served 24 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.
After working, along with others, to obtain Ms. Reasonover’s release, Cheryl led a team of lawyers in obtaining civil damages for Ms. Reasonover to compensate her for the years of lost liberty.
Cheryl also represented in a civil lawsuit two other men who were wrongfully convicted, Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson. Their stories are recounted in John Grisham’s book, the Innocent Man, and in Mr. Fritz’s book, Journey Toward Justice.
Cheryl is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Missourians Against the Death Penalty, and the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty. She also has been recognized as among the “Top 50 Women Lawyers” in Kansas and Missouri. Cheryl has also received from Martindale Hubbell the highest rating, an “AV” rating. .
Education: 1976, B.A., University of Michigan
1983, M.S.W., University of Kansas School of Social Welfare
1990, J.D., University of Kansas School of Law
Bars: 1990, State of Kansas
1990, United States District Court for the District of Kansas
1991, State of Missouri
1992, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
1992, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
1993, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
1998, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
2000, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri