John joined the firm as a law clerk while still in law school.

"As a law student I was impressed by the scope of the firm's litigation practice, even though at the time it was a small firm," says John. "What really struck me was the practical approach of the attorneys and their ability to cut to the heart of a dispute and deal with it in a direct and straightforward way. This same approach holds true for our attorneys today," adds John.

Seminars and Publications

"The Self-Insured Retention." Declarations - a publication of the Excess/Surplus Lines Claims Association

John regularly participates in seminars and presentations involving insurance related issues before professional and industry groups.

Honors and Awards

Selected for inclusion in Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers (2008-2011)

Representative Cases

Holway v. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum - John represented the Museum in a case involving the alleged loss of certain historical items relating to the Negro Leagues which a baseball historian claimed he loaned to the Museum. The case was tried before a jury resulting in a verdict in favor of the Museum; and it was affirmed on appeal by the U.S. Court of Appeals - Eighth Circuit.

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine v. Royal Insurance Company - John represented the defendant insurer in litigation involving questions of coverage for environmental claims under the property damage and personal injury provisions of a commercial general liability policy. The trial court granted the insurer defendant's summary judgment, finding no coverage. The U.S. Court of Appeals - Eighth Circuit reversed the Court's ruling and remanded the case on the issue of duty to defend. Summary judgment was again granted to the firm's client on the issue of indemnity by the trial court after remand, which was affirmed by the Eighth Circuit on a second appeal.

Kansas City Power & Light v. Forney Corporation - John represented one of several defendants in complex litigation arising out of a boiler explosion at the Hawthorne Power Plant owned by Kansas City Power & Light, which involved property damage claims totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. The client's claims were resolved by way of a confidential settlement.

Volunteer and Civic Involvement

John has served on the boards of not-for-profit organizations in civic and educational work in the Kansas City area. He is also very active in his church.