Chad Garrett Mann

I am a personal injury, estate planning, family law, and traffic ticket attorney, and graduated from the William H. Bowen School of Law, in Little Rock, Arkansas. I received my Bachelor of Arts at a small Christian private school, College of the Ozarks, in Point Lookout, Missouri. I currently practice law in Springfield, Missouri, and I enjoy spending time with family in my free time.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Judiciary

Since 2021

Kansas

Kansas Supreme Court

Since 2019

Missouri

Since 2017

8th Circuit

Since 2018

United States Tax Court

Since 2018

Founder & Principal Attorney

The Law Office of Chad G. Mann

2024 - Current

The Law Office of Chad G. Mann is dedicated to providing exceptional personal injury legal services, combining a wealth of experience from previous injury defense and personal injury practice with modern approaches to a time-honored area of law. Our commitment to excellence ensures that clients receive unparalleled service, rooted in deep legal expertise and innovative strategies. At The Law Office of Chad G. Mann, we are steadfast in our mission: From Injury to Victory, Your Partner in Justice.

Attorney

The Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave, P.C.

2021 - 2024

At the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave, I had the opportunity to uniquely serve the interests of those who were injured by drawing upon my years of experience in the insurance defense industry. My practice primarily concerned representing clients involved in automobile accidents, workplace mishaps, and those subjected to catastrophic injuries. Additionally, my practice included representing the interests of injured minors/children and the families of those who had died as a result of a defendant's negligent or intentional act. Finally, I represented clients whose insurers either refused to pay their legitimate claims or failed to investigate and process the claims within a reasonable period of time.

Associate Attorney

Schreiman, Rackers & Francka, L.L.C

2018 - 2021

At SRF, LLC I defended insurers and insureds in state and federal civil litigation. My practice primarily concerned defending these clients against negligence-based allegations involving auto and premises liability. Additionally, my practice included estate planning, construction law, minor criminal (traffic tickets, etc.), business litigation, medical malpractice defense, municipal defense, and appellate work.

Associate Attorney

Gibbs, Pool & Turner, P.C.

2017 - 2018

At GPT, P.C. I defended physicians and their insurers in state and federal civil litigation. My practice primarily concerned defending these clients against allegations concerning wrongful death, failure to diagnose, rendering improper treatment, and treating patients in such a way that purportedly deviated from the appropriate standard of care.

Senior Law Clerk

Arkansas Municipal League

2016 - 2017

Defended cities and city personnel in federal civil litigation.

Law Clerk

Law Office of Hackworth, Ferguson & THompson, LLC

2015 - 2015

Assisted the partners and associates in all areas of their practice.

Teaching Assistant

William H. Bowen School of Law

2015 - 2015

Taught 1Ls clear and concise legal writing skills and effective legal research techniques.

Law Clerk

Law Office of Eric Eighmy/Stone County Prosecutor's Office

2013 - 2013

University of Arkansas - Little Rock

J.D. (2017) | Law

2014 - 2017

Honors: Cum Laude; Chair of the Moot Court Board; Top Paper - Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis; Quarter-Finalist of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition; Overall Champion - Ben. J. Altheimer Moot Court Competition; Best Petitioner's Brief - Ben. J. Altheimer Moot Court Competition; Scored in top 20% against all UBE examinees; Author of Pioneering Commercial Celestial Mining

College of the Ozarks

B.A. (2014) | Criminal Justice

2010 - 2014

Honors: Magna Cum Laude

Ten Best Attorneys - Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service (Missouri)

American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

2018

The “10 Best” is a prestigious honor for an Attorney as each Attorney must: be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating.

Top Paper

William H. Bowen School of Law

2016

Top paper for Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis II.

The Missouri Bar

Member

Current

Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association

Member

2021 - Current

American Association for Justice

Member

2021 - Current

Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

Member

2021 - Current

Cole County Bar Association

Member

2018 - Current

Pioneering Commercial Celestial Mining

March 17, 2017

Tort Litgation In a Nutshell, Personal Injury Attorneys Training Retreat - 2023, Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center

Guardian Ad Litem

Missouri

Q. Can I hire a lawyer & have one on back with retainer. If I dont use my back up lawyer, do I get my retainer back?

July 20, 2023

A: In Missouri, as in other states, a lawyer's obligation to return unused retainer fees to a client is guided by the state's rules of professional conduct, the specifics of the fee agreement you signed, and any applicable state laws or regulations.

According to Rule 4-1.16(d) of the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct, upon termination of representation, a lawyer shall take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests, such as refunding any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred.

A key factor is the nature of the retainer fee. Retainer fees can be classified into three main types:

1. A "classic" or "true" retainer, which is a fee paid to reserve a lawyer's services for a certain period and isn't tied to any specific work. This type of retainer is typically not refundable.

2. A "security" retainer, which is a deposit against which future costs and fees are billed. The unused portion of a security retainer is usually refundable.

3. An "advance" or "prepaid" retainer, which is a fee paid in advance for work that is yet to be done. The unused portion of such a retainer is usually refundable.

Also, the Missouri Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee's formal opinion No. 128 is instructive. It clarified that a non-refundable retainer agreement, "which fails to account for work not performed as a result of a client’s early termination of the relationship, is unreasonable and therefore unethical under Rule 4-1.5. In such a case, the attorney must return the unearned fee."

Your written fee agreement with your lawyer should outline the nature of the retainer fee and the refund policy. If you're considering terminating your relationship with your current lawyer, you should review this document and consult with a new lawyer about it, and the terms of that agreement may implicate matters of contract law which I lack sufficient information to give an opinion on for purposes of this answer.

Finally, be sure to communicate your decision to terminate representation in writing, and request a refund of any unused portion of your retainer as well as an itemized statement of the work performed and costs incurred to date. ... Read More

Q. What are my rights as a widow?

July 20, 2023

A: First and foremost, I'm so sorry for your loss. Dealing with property and inheritance issues after the death of a spouse can be complex and emotionally taxing. Please note that while I can provide some general guidance on this issue, it's essential to consult with an attorney who can give you advice tailored to your specific circumstances after a full evaluation of the binding documents and law governing your inquiry.

Summarily, the distribution of your husband's assets after his death will depend on several factors, such as whether he left a will, how the property was titled, and whether the property is considered marital or separate property. Under Missouri law, if your husband died without a will (intestate), his property will be divided according to state intestacy laws.

1. House: If the house was set to be inherited by your husband, it's important to determine whether he had actually inherited it before his death. If he did, and if he died without a will, then as his surviving spouse, you would generally have a right to a portion of his estate under Missouri's intestate succession laws. If your husband and you had children together, you would inherit the first $20,000 of your husband's intestate property, plus half of the balance. If there are no children, the surviving spouse inherits everything. If your husband had a will, the house would be distributed according to the terms of the will.

2. Car: As for the car, it's important to clarify how it was titled. If the car was titled in your husband's name, it might be considered part of his estate and subject to probate. If it was titled in both of your names, it might pass to you directly as the surviving owner. However, if the car was a gift to both of you, or if it was marital property, you might have a claim to it.

Please note that these are broad generalizations and the specifics can get quite complex. For example, there are specific rules about what is considered marital and separate property, how to value different kinds of property, and how to handle debts and liabilities.

This is why it's extremely important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A lawyer fully versed in the facts of your circumstances can help you understand your rights, guide you through the probate process if necessary, and represent your interests in any disputes with your in-laws or others.

Furthermore, I think it's worth mentioning that if your in-laws are trying to force you out of your home or take your car, they might be violating your rights. You may have rights to remain in the home and retain possession of the car while your husband's estate is being settled. If you're facing immediate eviction or loss of the car, you should definitely contact a lawyer right away to protect your rights. ... Read More

Q. I have very good reason to believe my wife is having an affair.

July 20, 2023

A: As a general rule, Missouri's wiretapping law is a "one-party consent" law. Missouri law makes it a crime to intercept or record any "wire, oral, or electronic communication" unless one party to the conversation consents. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 542.402.2(2)(3). So, if you are part of the conversation in the car, then it would likely be legal to record it. But if you are not present and no party to the conversation consents, it would likely be illegal.

Further, it's also worth noting that federal wiretap laws generally require one party's consent to legally record a conversation. However, if the recording is being used for the purpose of committing a criminal or tortious act, federal wiretap laws require the consent of all parties.

Also, aside from potential criminal liability, violating these laws could potentially expose you to a civil lawsuit for damages by the person whose conversation was recorded.

Remember, just because the car is in your name does not necessarily give you the right to invade other people's privacy. It's important to respect privacy rights, even in your own property. Again, these are complex issues and this is a simplified explanation, so you should consult with a lawyer for advice tailored to your specific circumstances. ... Read More