Meet Matt Odom: Serving Families with Integrity, Compassion, and Community at Heart

At Kennedy Berkley Attorneys at Law, we believe great attorneys are shaped not only by their education, but by their experiences, values, and commitment to the communities they serve. That belief is exactly why we’re excited to introduce Matt Odom, the newest attorney to join our team in Hays.

Matt’s story spans several states and is deeply rooted in service. Both he and his father served in the military, and Matt’s parents emphasized the importance of community involvement, responsibility, and respect for others from an early age. Those values stayed with Matt as his family moved throughout the country, eventually bringing him to Kansas, where he attended Hays High School before joining the U.S. Army.

After his military service, Matt continued his education at Fort Hays State University and later earned his law degree from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Despite his experiences beyond Kansas, Matt always knew where he wanted to build his life and career. In 2019, he returned to Hays, drawn by the strength of the community and a desire to serve families in a region where legal resources — particularly in domestic relations — are in short supply.

Matt’s path to Kennedy Berkley began organically. Early in his career, he had professional interactions with Blake Bittel, a respected attorney at Kennedy Berkley in Hays whose practice includes family law, civil litigation, trust and estate litigation, and mediation. Blake also previously served as a Kansas district judge, giving him unique insight into the courtroom and legal process. Matt first met Blake as opposing counsel and later ran into him around town in Hays. Those encounters, along with Blake’s professionalism and approach to the practice of law, ultimately led to Matt’s introduction to the firm and its collaborative, client-centered culture — an approach that immediately resonated with him.

Before joining Kennedy Berkley, Matt worked as a staff attorney with Kansas Legal Services, where he was driven by a belief that legal knowledge should be used to help people navigate difficult seasons of life. That same mindset now shapes his domestic relations practice.

“Family law is emotional,” Matt shares. “There’s rarely a clear winner. People go through court, relive painful experiences, and then still have to go home and continue living their lives.” For Matt, the most important part of this work is building trust, respecting family relationships, and helping clients move forward with dignity and clarity — particularly when dividing financial assets and making decisions that affect their future.

In a community like Hays, where word of mouth matters and the need for domestic relations attorneys continues to grow, Matt is committed to being a steady, reliable presence for clients navigating some of life’s hardest moments.

Outside the courtroom, Matt is a devoted father to his 15-year-old daughter and values intentional parenting and quality time together. He enjoys being outdoors, camping, off-roading, working with his hands, and exploring interests like cars and science — passions that reflect both his curiosity and grounded nature.

We’re proud to welcome Matt Odom to Kennedy Berkley and grateful for the care, integrity, and community focus he brings to our firm. If you see him around Hays, don’t hesitate to say hello — chances are he’ll be just as interested in getting to know you as he is in serving our community.