Over 40 years of private sector law practice, 28 years of public service in the Kansas Legislature, and 4 years as CEO of the state's largest business association have given me a unique perspective and insight for my governmental relations business. My public and professional life has been pro-business and limited government focused.

Selected to Outstanding Young Men of America
Who's Who in American Law & Emerging American Leaders
Recognized as Kansas/Missouri Super Lawyers selection
Leadership Kansas graduate and 2009 Leadership Kansas Alumnus of the Year.
KBA Making a Difference Award
Past member of CSG Executive Committee
ALEC Legacy member
Past member of National Speakers' Conference Executive Committee
Kansas Speaker of the House 2009-2012

6-10 years

Past member of State Finance Council (Governor & Legislative leadership)
Past member Legislative Coordinating Council (Legislative leadership)
16 year member of Uniform Law Commission
Former Speaker of the Kansas House
Former President & CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce
Former member of Kansas Travel & Tourism Commission
16 year member of Kansas Judicial Council (lawyers and judges)
Past member of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame Board
Past member of Kansas Sentencing Commission

After serving in the Kansas Legislature for 28 years, practicing insurance defense law and health care law in a law firm setting for 36 years and after serving as CEO of a statewide business association for 4 years, I've opened my own legal and governmental consulting firm to continue serving the needs of clients with matters involving state government, the Legislature and licensing agencies & Boards. I bring over 40 years of legal, legislative and governmental relations experience to existing and prospective clients.

Legal Background

• JD, University of Kansas School of Law - 1976


• Partner, Reynolds, Peirce, Forker, Suter & O'Neal, Hutchinson, KS - 1979-1984


• Hutchinson Community College Instructor (Police Science & Corrections Program and Legal Assistant Program) - 1976-1984


• Shareholder, Gilliland & Hayes, P.A., Hutchinson, KS - 1984-2012


• Of Counsel, Gilliland & Hayes, LLC - 2012-2016


• Extensive trial experience in areas of insurance defense and professional liability; handled 100's of workers compensation cases for employers


• Recently completed successful settlement against the State which restored over $3M in fees swept from fee funds by the Legislature and Adminstration


• Currently provide legal services to clients with issues before the Legislature, licensing agencies, regulatory agencies and Boards


• 40 Hours of certified mediation training


• Served on the Board of Governors of the KU Law Society


• As attorney/legislator, appeared in Fed. Court both in 2002 and 2012 to defend legislative redistricting maps

• Elected to Kansas House of Representatives - 1984 - Hutchinson/Reno County


• Served in Kansas House of Representatives - 1985 - 2012


• Served 2 years as V.C. of House Judiciary Committee


• Served 2 years as Ranking Republican of House Judiciary Committee


• Served 16 years as Chairman of the House of Judiciary Committee


• Served 2 years as Chairman of the House Education Committee


• Served as V.C. of the Select Committee on School Finance


• Served 2 years each as Chairman of the House Redistricting Committee during the 2002 and 2012 Legislative and Congressional redistricting


• Served twice as Chairman of House Committee on Contested Elections


• Served twice as Chairman of House Select Investigative Committees


• Other committee assignments included Public Heath, Commerce & Industry, Education Budget and Legislative Budget


• Elected as Minority Whip when Republicans were in the minority and the Majority Whip


• Elected as Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives - 2009-2012


• Served in alternating years with the Senate President as Chairman of the Legislative Coordinating Council and was a member of the State Finance Council


• Executive Committee member, National Speakers' Conference


• Executive Committee member, Council of State Governments


• Kansas Judicial Council member for 16 years


• Commissioner, Uniform Law Commission for 16 years


• Member, Kansas Commission on Judicial Performance


• Member, Kansas Sentencing Commission


• Board member, KTEC


• Member Commission on School Efficiency

• Hired as President & CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry - 2012-2016


• Development and execution of annual Kansas Chamber Legislative Agenda


• Extensive lobbying of Legislative members and Administration


• Legal, legislative, and political analysis, member engagement research, public appearances and media interviews


• Upon retirement from the Kansas Chamber, formed O'Neal Consulting LLC in Dec. 2016 to represent individual clients with legislative and legal issues related to the Legislature and State government