Kansas

Fleeson Gooing Coulson & Kitch has represented clients throughout Kansas and beyond for more than 125 years. Litigation is the cornerstone of the firm's practice; It includes construction and media law, corporate and commercial litigation, education and school law, eminent domain, environmental law, family law, healthcare law, natural resources law, personal injury, and white-collar civil and criminal defense. Nearly 30 attorneys work in its Wichita office. Ronald Campbell joined the firm in 1977. His litigation practice concerns personal injury, product liability, business, and construction disputes. Recently, he successfully defended a municipality against a mold claim from alleged water leak, a fireworks operator against a brain injury claim, and an air ambulance in a wrongful death action.

With more than 90 attorneys, Foulston Siefkin remains one of the largest Kansas-based law firms. It saw its start in 1919, when Robert Foulston and George Siefkin opened up shop in Wichita. It has since expanded to two additional offices in Topeka and Overland Park while keeping its headquarters in its founding city. In the past, the firm has mostly worked on the defense side, but its trajectory at this point is veering toward a mix of work on both sides of the "V." The firm's litigation department is, as a whole, reportedly very strong. Sources tout its leadership in innovation, considering Foulston Siefkin early adopters and pioneers, always up-to-date on the latest cutting-edge trends. A nod is also given to the firm's capabilities with construction and the oil and gas industries. Attorneys act on behalf of a diverse client base, from individuals to emerging businesses to Fortune 500 countries across a wide range of industries that mirror the state's economy.

Foulston Siefkin employs a number of litigators with outstanding reputations that earn the firm its spot in the highly recommended category. "I would start with Mikel Stout and Jay Fowler," a peer puts forth of the "established" attorneys. Stout is experienced in employment and complex commercial cases with a penchant for trial. Fowler is one of the firm's primary plaintiff lawyers. A generalist, he is known for his work with commercial and complex litigation as well as issues of fiduciary duty and complex torts. He and Holly Dyer have teamed up in recent years in employment-related cases. Dyer has nearly two decades of experience, over the course of which she has enjoyed a flourishing trial practice that covers a range of disputes. Fowler also teamed up with Amy Lemley, who leads the firm's general litigation practice group and focuses on defending many medical professionals, on a case for LendingTools, a software manufacturer that licensed its product to a bank only to have it allegedly stolen and copied for competition purposes. The court decided in the client's favor. "If you want to talk about complex litigation," a colleague insists, "look at James Armstrong." His practice involves major commercial litigation, including securities fraud and various shareholder and breach-of-fiduciary claims, oil and gas, intellectual property, and employment issues. A competitor concurs, "He is a very effective trial lawyer." Armstrong, along with Todd Tedesco, triumphed on behalf of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems in a case arising out of Boeing's sale of the assets of its commercial facilities in Wichita, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and McAlester, Oklahoma to Spirit in June 2005. Plaintiffs are former Boeing employees who were not hired by Spirit when it purchased Boeing's BCA Wichita Division assets. Plaintiffs originally asserted claims for age discrimination, interference with ERISA rights, and breach of contract, disability discrimination, and retaliation. The defendants were successful in obtaining summary judgment on all claims except individual age discrimination claims. Of the original 100 named plaintiffs, there are only 65 plaintiffs who have remaining claims. The 1,200 consent plaintiffs have been dismissed. Foulston Siefkin can further boast several up-and-comers, including Toby Crouse and Scott Nehrbass as well as Kyle Steadman, who "is clearly a rising star," and Craig West, who "is in court almost every month."

Hite Fanning & Honeyman has more than 20 attorneys in its Wichita office. It has earned its reputation as one of the top insurance and medical malpractice defense firms in the state. Litigation lies at its core. Its professionals handle many subject areas including business torts, intellectual property, creditors' rights, employment, healthcare, toxic torts, aviation, defamation, securities fraud, professional liability, construction litigation, personal injury, product liability, workers' compensation, and insurance-coverage disputes.

The majority of the firm's attorneys are litigators. Founding member and senior partner Richard Hite's practice primarily concerns business, commercial, and oil and gas litigation. He also appears as an arbitrator and mediator in business, contract, environmental, and professional-liability affairs. Closing in on a 50-years career, founding partner Richard "Dick" Honeyman primarily focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on disputes. He frequently serves as an alternative dispute resolution mediator. F. James "Jim" Robinson, Jr. comes with nearly 30 years of experience behind him. He has successfully litigated many high-profile cases, currently concentrating in business, construction, professional liability, and product liability. He has additional experience with contracts and corporate law. The senior partner represents clients who reflect many industries, including banking, aerospace, construction, equipment manufacturers, health care, and oil and gas.

Founded in Omaha, Nebraska, Kutak Rock has grown tremendously since 1965, today boasting a roster of more than 500 attorneys. The firm opened its doors in Wichita just over a decade ago. Its attorneys are experienced in business and corporate law, public finance, litigation, employment, and real estate law, primarily on the side of the defense. Furthermore, they benefit from the vast network of colleagues in 17 offices across the United States and operate on a national level. The firm's notable clients include Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, Gamesa Technology, J.C. Penney, and Deutsche Bank. Richard Olmstead leaves his mark in the federal and state courts across the country as a member of Kutak Rock's energy and environmental litigation, employment, and appellate practice groups. A peer attests, "He is making his way in the area of natural gas, and that is becoming highly active."

Martin Pringle Oliver Wallace & Bauer was formed in 1951 and has traditionally been a powerhouse in product liability and oil and gas law. From that foundation, the more than 40-person firm has expanded into a wide range of litigation and transactional practices. The firm maintains offices in Wichita and Overland Park with an additional outpost in Kansas City, Missouri. Martin Bauer has practiced law for more than three decades. He is internationally known for his work as an adoption attorney and represents both adoptive parents and birth mothers looking to place their children in stable homes. In his bankruptcy practice, he often represents creditors in eminent domain proceedings and under Chapter 11. Bauer further attends to commercial litigation matters. This practice focuses on bond failures, intra-corporate disputes, contract disputes among corporate entities, and eminent domain proceedings.