Reunion Weekend 2026

Young Alumni Award

The Young Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have graduated in the past 25 years and accomplished exceptional achievements in career, public service, or volunteer activities. Award started in 2020 ~ see history of recipients here

Jeffrey “Jeff” Q. McCarther ’01
Assistant United States Attorney at United States Attorney’s Office

Jeff McCarther attended Pembroke Hill from 5th grade until his graduation in 2001. Jeff then matriculated at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Economics. After going into consulting for a year, Jeff attended the University of Missouri School of Law, graduating in 2009, where he was inducted into the Order of Barristers and served as senior editor of the Missouri Law Review.

After his graduation from law school, Jeff returned to Kansas City and worked with a prominent civil defense firm for four years. It was at this juncture, in 2013, that Jeff chose to dedicate his career to public service. Jeff left private practice and became the White-Collar Prosecutor at the Jackson County, Missouri Prosecutor’s Office, prosecuting various crimes related to financial fraud. Soon after, in 2014, Jeff joined the Department of Justice to serve his community as a federal prosecutor.

Jeff now serves as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Violent Crime & Drug Trafficking Unit with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri. Jeff primarily focuses his practice on violent crimes, firearms violations, and violations of the Controlled Substances Act. Since becoming an AUSA, Jeff has prosecuted over 500 criminal cases, and litigated over 20 felony jury trials to verdict. For his work at the Department of Justice, Jeff has won several awards, including the following:

• 2025 Honorable Matt J. Whitworth Trial Excellence Award - This annual award is presented by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA) and is reserved for an outstanding litigator who regularly practices in the United States District Court, and who demonstrates noteworthy professional competence and performance as a trial lawyer, coupled with the qualities of professional competence, industry, integrity, civility, and courtesy.

• 2023 H. Michael Coburn Professional Excellence Award - This annual award is bestowed upon an attorney who, in the judgment of the KCMBA Ross T. Robert’s Trial Academy and the attorney’s colleagues, has distinguished himself as a trial lawyer of uncompromising professionalism.

• 2021 Lon O. Hocker Award - This annual award is presented by the Missouri Bar Foundation and recognizes one attorney under the age of 40 in the Kansas City, Missouri, area who exemplifies the highest qualities of a trial lawyer, including professionalism and high ethical conduct.

• 2019 Thomas J. Conway Award - This annual award is presented by KCMBA and honors a trial lawyer who exemplifies outstanding trial skills and the ability to be a fierce advocate, while simultaneously a good friend to opposing counsel.

Apart from his prosecution duties, Jeff also enjoys teaching. Jeff currently serves as an adjunct professor at UMKC School of Law, in the topics of Trial Advocacy and Criminal Practice. Over the years, Jeff has also been affiliated with numerous charities across the Kansas City metro area, but is most proud of his 10 years of service as a “Big Brother” with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City, earning multiple honors for his dedication to the Charity.

Jeff has been married to his remarkable, supportive, inspiring wife, Meghan, since 2016. Together, Jeff and Meghan have three children: Eve (8), Gabriel (6), and Franklin (4). Jeff enjoys spending his minimal free time with his children – playing sports, traveling, and exploring all that Kansas City has to offer. Jeff remains lifelong friends with many of his classmates from Pembroke Hill, and is incredibly humbled to be recognized among such a talented group of individuals.

_______\_

“Thank you for this incredible honor! I’m very humbled and grateful. Attending Pembroke Hill starting in 5th grade was a true life-changer for me.” - Jeffrey McCarther ’01

_______\_

Awards:

2025 - Hon. Matt J. Whitworth Trial Excellence Award, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. (2025)
2023 - H. Michael Coburn Professional Excellence Award, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (2023)
2021 - Lon O. Hocker Award in recognition of his outstanding trial work in federal court (2021)
2019 - Thomas J. Conway Award, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (2019)

2017 - Special Commendation from ATF, Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives (2017)

Education:

• University of Missouri - Columbia, School of Law (2009)
• Northwestern University (2005)
• Pembroke Hill School (2001)