Overland Park, KAN. –Tony Rupp, a Kansas City partner with Foulston Siefkin LLP, was highlighted for his municipal litigation practice, and 17 additional Kansas City attorneys were recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. This year, 69 Foulston lawyers were recognized, with Lee Smithyman in Kansas City added to the Best Lawyers® rankings. Thirteen Foulston lawyers were honored as “Lawyer of the Year” within a practice area and city. Published for decades, Best Lawyers® is a well-known organization that uses peer and reference feedback to develop lawyer rankings.
Attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers® are reviewed by their peers and references based on professional experience and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. Only one lawyer in each practice area and location is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” This designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same community and the same practice area(s) for their abilities, their professionalism, and their integrity. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their professional excellence.
The following Foulston attorneys in Kansas City were recognized in the 2026 Best Lawyers in America®:
2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Kansas City, KS
- Tony Rupp – Litigation – Municipal
2026 Best Lawyers® Awards
- Brian G. Boos – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Daniel J. Buller – Commercial Litigation
- Vaughn Burkholder – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Tara Eberline – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation -Municipal
- Jack M. Epps – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Leisure and Hospitality Law, Real Estate Law
- Joshua T. Hill – Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law
- Scott C. Nehrbass – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – ERISA, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Real Estate, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- James D. Oliver – Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Litigation – Securities, Mining Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Scott C. Palecki – Health Care Law
- John C. Peck – Natural Resources Law, Water Law
- Tony F. Rupp – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Municipal Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Lee M. Smithyman – Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
- Matthew D. Stromberg – Commercial Litigation
- James P. Zakoura – Energy Law
2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
- Cameron S. Bernard – Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Paul A. Breer – Litigation – Construction, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Briana C. Cowell – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability – Defendants
- Sarah C. Otto – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Privacy and Data Security Law
About Foulston Siefkin LLP
As the largest law firm based in Kansas, with offices in Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita, Foulston Siefkin LLP provides legal services to a broad range of clients — from large national and international corporations to small businesses to individuals. Foulston’s lawyers are consistently recognized as among the leading lawyers in the United States. For more than 100 years, Foulston’s lawyers have provided counsel in a wide range of practice areas, including civil and complex litigation, tax, business matters, employment and labor, and healthcare. For more information, contact Tammy Allen, chief marketing officer, at (316) 291-9572, tallen@foulston.com; or visit www.foulston.com.