John Robb has been actively practicing law since 1978 when he joined his father as a third generation lawyer in Newton. John's practice is concentrated in estate planning, including wills, trusts, estate tax and probate and he also handles many business-related matters in the legal arena for clients. An active school attorney, John has distinguished himself in the area of school finance litigation and negotiations as well as day-to-day advice for school administrators and Boards.
After growing up in Newton, John attended Kansas University and you'll find that he's still a loyal Jayhawk fan. John has a continuing interest in business issues and puts his undergraduate degree in Business Administration to use frequently for clients and in his civic activities. Serving regularly on various local organization Boards and particularly finance committees has been a real pleasure.
Always active, John has served as President or Chairman of the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Harvey County Jobs Development Council, The Greater Newton Foundation, the Newton Jaycees, the Kansas Jaycee Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Northview Developmental Services, Inc., the Harvey County Bar Association and Harvey County Ducks Unlimited. He's also been active on the Boards of Mirror, Inc. a comprehensive alcohol, drug and corrections entity, the Florence Bessmer Foundation, which financially supports the Newton Public Library, Bank IV Newton, and Harvey County United Way. His other affiliations include The Harvey County, Wichita and Kansas Bar Associations, the Kansas School Attorneys Association, the National Council of School Attorneys, the Ninth Judicial District Nominating Commission, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi Business Honorary and Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. He's also been active in a number of local office political campaigns.
Being named an Outstanding Young Kansan, receiving the Newton Jaycee Distinguished Service Award, the Ducks Unlimited Conservation award and being named Newton Kansan Newsmaker of the Year are all honors John has received. In 2003 John was named Newton’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year by The Newton Area Chamber of Commerce. John was named one of Wichita's "10 to Watch" by the Wichita Eagle for 2010 in regards to his school finance litigation efforts.
After graduating from Washburn Law School with honors, the return to Newton was natural for John and his wife Karen who is also a Newton native.
Practice areas
Full line of services in representing public school districts.
44 years, 1,000 cases
Full estate planning services including federal estate and Kansas estate tax planning. Estate asset analyses included.
44 years, 1,000 cases
Full line of corporate and other business entity operation and formation.
44 years, 1,000 cases
Full trust formation and management services.
44 years, 1,000 cases
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
KS | Authorized to practice law | 1978 | 04/28/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best Lawyer- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2022 |
Super Lawyer | Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine | 2021 |
Best Lawyer- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2021 |
Super Lawyer | Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine | 2020 |
Best Lawyers- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
Super Lawyer | Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine | 2019 |
Best Lawyers- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2019 |
Super Lawyer | Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine | 2018 |
Best Lawyer- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2018 |
Best Lawyer- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2017 |
Best Lawyer- Education Law | Best Lawyers in America | 2016 |
Best Lawyer- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2015 |
Best Lawyer- Education | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Demetrio Rodriguez Champion of Educational Justice Award | Education Law Center | 2014 |
Kansas Earthmover 2011 Edition | Hawver's Capitol Report | 2012 |
10 People to Watch | Wichita Eagle | 2010 |
Super Lawyer | Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine | 2006 |
Citizen of Year | Newton Chamber of Commerce | 2003 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2000 |
Newsmaker of the Year | Newton Kansan Newspaper | 1993 |
Overall Outstandng National Convention Chairman | United States Jaycees | 1984 |
Outstanding Young Kansan | Kansas Jaycees | 1983 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Somers, Robb and Robb | 1978 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Wichita Bar Association | Member | 1995 - Present |
9th Judicial District Nominating Commission | Member | 1993 - Present |
Harvey County Bar Association | Member | 1978 - Present |
Kansas Bar Association | Member | 1978 - Present |
National Association of School Attorneys | Member | 1978 - Present |
Kansas School Attorney Association | Member | 1978 - Present |
Kansas Bar Association, Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section | Member | 1978 - Present |
Kansas Association of School Negotiators | Member | 1986 - 2005 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Institute for Educational Equity and Opportunity | A Quality Education for Every Child: Stories from the Lawyers on the Front Lines | 2009 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Washburn University School of Law | Juris Doctor | 1977 |
University of Kansas | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1975 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Litigators Workshop 2017- New York | The Cliff of School Shutdown | 2017 |
USD 265 Community Education Retreat | School Finance History- From Google Earth view to Present | 2017 |
Winning Eductional Opportunity for All | Litigators Workshop III- Los Angeles | 2016 |
School Finance Update | Where We Go From Here Funding Public Education | 2016 |
Litigators Workship | Winning Equal Educational Opportunity For All | 2014 |
Educational Leadership class | Working With Your School Attorney | 2014 |
Winning Quality Educational Opportunity For All | Trial Practice, Appeals, Remedies and Compliance Proceedings | 2013 |
USD 265 Annual Retreat Conference | School Finance Litigation: Gannon vs. State of Kansas | 2012 |
KASBO Annual Convention | SFFF- An Update on the School Finance Court Case | 2012 |
KASBO Annual Meeting | Kansas School Finance- Status 2011 The New Funding Crises | 2011 |
Litigators' Workshop 2011 | Evolving State Strategies in a Sea-Change Environment | 2011 |
Greenbush Service Center Conference- Topeka, KS | Kansas School Finance- Status 2009... The New Funding Crises | 2009 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Gannon vs. State of Kansas | Won |
Petrella vs. Brownback | Won- case dismissed |
Montoy vs. State of Kansas | Won |
USD 229 vs. State of Kansas | Won at trial court |
Mock vs. State of Kansas | Won |
Posted by Jeff
January 26, 2015
Posted by Russell
January 24, 2013
Posted by George V. Tignor
January 22, 2013
Posted by Charolene
March 25, 2011
Alan Rupe, General practice Attorney on Mar 25, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
John Robb is an outstanding attorney. He is one of the smartest lawyers i've ever met. He has been a pleasure to work with. I would most definitely recommend him as an attorney.
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