University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

The urban public law school with a small liberal arts feel

Judith Popper Associate Clinical Professor of Law; B.A. (Agnes Scott College); J.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City) email 816-235-2693 Prof. Popper received her B.A. degree in 1976, majoring in foreign languages and music at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia; upon graduation, she was inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1984, she earned her J.D. degree from UMKC, where she served as Managing Editor of the Law Review and graduated as a member of the Order of the Bench and Robe. After her admission to the Missouri Bar, she began her legal career clerking for the Hon. Elmo B. Hunter at the United States District Court in Kansas City, Missouri, then joined the firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in its business litigation section. In 1993, she began work with the Consumer Protection Division of the Missouri Attorney General's Office and, in 1997, was admitted to the Kansas Bar. In addition to teaching Consumer Protection Law, Introduction to Law, and Advanced Litigation Practices, Prof. Popper also continues to prosecute cases as an Assistant Attorney General with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. She has litigated many consumer rights cases that have resulted in convictions or civil judgments, including the seizure of assets and extraordinary relief, in cases involving: • Elderly scams • Fraud in the funeral industry • Invention service scams • Home building, repair, and renovation practices • Merchandise sales, repair, warranties (including vehicles, home appliances, electronics, and livestock) • Door-to-door soliciting • Pyramid schemes • Telemarketing abuse Most recently, Prof. Popper obtained felony convictions against an individual accused of scamming the elderly in the sale of funeral services and merchandise, in an unusual consolidation of criminal charges filed by the Missouri Attorney General and by the Clay County Prosecutor. The jointly-tried criminal case led to convictions on all 23 felony counts. Prof. Popper has authored chapters on “Parties” and “Pleadings” in the Missouri Practice Series, and also has submitted amicus briefs in private consumer appeals. She teaches consumer education outreach seminars to legal and community groups on behalf of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and also has conducted writing classes for local business groups.