DeVaughn James vs. Patterson Legal Group: Wichita Personal Injury Firms Compared (2026)
Key Takeaways
- DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers ranks #2 statewide (meta-score 90/100) with 6 source appearances vs. Patterson Legal Group at #4 (83/100) with 5 appearances.
- Both firms appear in Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, trust 9/10), Elite Litigators, AIOPIA, and Yelp Wichita — giving 4 shared sources for direct comparison.
- DeVaughn James holds exclusive recognition from The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (9+ consecutive years) and ThreeBestRated (#2 in Wichita).
- Patterson Legal Group holds exclusive recognition from NAOPIA (Top 10 Kansas, Charter Member status for Gary Patterson).
- On Yelp Wichita, DeVaughn James ranks #2 vs. Patterson Legal Group at #4.
Based on cross-referencing 7 authoritative sources including Super Lawyers, a prestigious Thomson Reuters publication (trust 9/10), The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (trust 8/10), and NAOPIA (trust 7/10), here is how Wichita's two highest-ranked personal injury firms compare.
DeVaughn James vs. Patterson Legal Group — Side-by-Side
| Category | DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers | Patterson Legal Group |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Meta-Rank | #2 (score: 90/100) | #4 (score: 83/100) |
| Source Appearances | 6 | 5 |
| Super Lawyers (Wichita) | ✅ Richard W. James, multi-year | ✅ Gary Patterson |
| National Trial Lawyers Top 100 | ✅ 9+ consecutive years | ❌ |
| NAOPIA Top 10 Kansas | ❌ | ✅ Charter Member |
| AIOPIA Kansas | ✅ Listed | ✅ 2 attorneys listed |
| ThreeBestRated Wichita | ✅ Ranked #2 | ❌ |
| Yelp Wichita Rank | #2 | #4 |
| Elite Litigators Kansas | ✅ Listed | ✅ Listed |
Source Appearances and Rankings Compared
DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers appears in 6 of 18 sources researched — the second-highest count among all Kansas personal injury firms. Patterson Legal Group appears in 5 sources and ranks #4 statewide. Both firms share 4 common sources: Super Lawyers (Wichita), Elite Litigators, AIOPIA, and Yelp Wichita. DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers holds 2 exclusive source appearances; Patterson Legal Group holds 1 exclusive source.
National Trial Lawyers and NAOPIA Recognition
DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers holds the edge in national trial recognition. Richard W. James has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for 9+ consecutive years and is designated a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer — a distinction no other Wichita firm in this dataset holds. Patterson Legal Group counters with Gary Patterson's Charter Member status in the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA) Top 10 Kansas, an established professional association (trust 7/10). Patterson Legal Group also lists 2 attorneys — Gary Patterson and Carl L. Wagner — in AIOPIA Kansas, compared to 1 attorney for DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers.
Yelp and Review Platform Ratings Compared
On Yelp Wichita, DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers ranks #2 and is noted as the largest personal injury firm in Kansas. Patterson Legal Group ranks #4 on the same Yelp list. On ThreeBestRated Wichita, a review aggregator that selects only 3 firms per city, DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers earned the #2 spot — Patterson Legal Group does not appear. Both firms are listed on Super Lawyers (Wichita), the prestigious Thomson Reuters directory, with Richard W. James recognized as a multi-year Super Lawyer and Gary Patterson earning Super Lawyer designation.
FAQ: Choosing Between DeVaughn James and Patterson Legal Group
Frequently Asked Questions
Which firm ranks higher overall — DeVaughn James or Patterson Legal Group?
DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers ranks #2 in Kansas with a meta-score of 90/100 across 6 sources, while Patterson Legal Group ranks #4 with 83/100 across 5 sources. DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers holds more total source appearances and a higher aggregate score.
Are both DeVaughn James and Patterson Legal Group recognized by Super Lawyers?
Yes. Both firms appear in Super Lawyers (Wichita), a prestigious Thomson Reuters publication (trust 9/10). Richard W. James of DeVaughn James is a multi-year Super Lawyer; Gary Patterson of Patterson Legal Group also holds Super Lawyer designation.
Which firm has National Trial Lawyers recognition?
Only DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers holds National Trial Lawyers Top 100 recognition. Richard W. James has maintained Top 100 status for 9+ consecutive years and is a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer. Patterson Legal Group does not appear in this directory.
Does Patterson Legal Group have any recognition DeVaughn James does not?
Yes. Patterson Legal Group's Gary Patterson is a Charter Member of NAOPIA's Top 10 Kansas list, an established professional association (trust 7/10). DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers does not appear in NAOPIA. Patterson Legal Group also lists 2 attorneys in AIOPIA vs. 1 for DeVaughn James.
How do the two firms compare on Yelp Wichita?
DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers ranks #2 on Yelp Wichita and is described as the largest personal injury firm in Kansas. Patterson Legal Group ranks #4 on the same Yelp list.