About John Matthew
John Matthew Leavitt began his academic career at the University of Kansas, where he completed both a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism in 2005. He stayed at KU for law school and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2009. Those years in Lawrence set the foundation for a practice rooted in courtroom work and public-facing law.
He moved quickly into private practice after law school. By 2010 he was a partner at Hulnick, Stang, Gering & Leavitt, P.A., a role he has carried into the present. The rapid advancement to partner shaped his work as much as it reflected the responsibilities he took on early in his career.
Leavitt’s practice centers on criminal defense. He handles a range of matters that include traditional criminal charges and driving-under-the-influence cases. His memberships in the National College of DUI Defense and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers underscore the kinds of matters he routinely handles. He represents clients in Kansas state courts and works on pretrial issues, evidentiary matters and trial preparation.
Professional involvement has been a steady part of Leavitt’s career. He has served in multiple leadership posts within the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, moving from Treasurer to Secretary and, since 2023, serving as Vice President. Those roles have kept him engaged with changes in criminal law and with colleagues across the state. He also belongs to the Kansas Bar Association and has been active in local bar work through the Wichita Bar Association since 2010.
Locally, Leavitt has held a variety of posts in the Wichita legal community. He served in the Wichita Bar Association Young Lawyers Section as Social Chair, President-Elect and then President between 2011 and 2014. He is a member of the Wichita Crime Commission and participates on committees such as the Wichita Bar Association’s Criminal Practice Committee and Bar-o-Meter Committee. He is also an Associate of the Wesley E. Brown Inn of Court.
Colleagues and acquaintances describe him as thorough in courtroom preparation and consistent in professional participation. He balances case work with organizational responsibilities, which gives him a steady presence in both litigation and bar governance. He continues to practice at Hulnick, Stang, Gering & Leavitt, P.A., representing clients in criminal and DUI matters across Kansas.
