John Kurtz

Hubbard & Kurtz, LLP

John Kurtz received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1969, a master’s degree in criminology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970, and a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1976.  He worked as a law clerk for Judge Paul Vardeman of the Jackson County Circuit Court and then as an Assistant Public Defender for Jackson County from 1979 to 1981.   From 1981 through 1997, he worked at The Popham Law Firm where clients included plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation, children and adults in family law matters, and some defendants in criminal cases.  He now works at Hubbard & Kurtz L.L.P. at 1718 Walnut in Kansas City.   He has tried 84 jury cases and argued 36 appellate cases.   The Missouri Bar has given him the Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award, the Pro Bono Lawyer Award, the H. Michael Coburn Community Service Award, the Tom Cochran Community Service Award, the Spurgeon Smithson Award, and the Martin J. Purcell Professionalism Award.   In 1999, Jackson County, Missouri lawyers elected him to serve from 2000 through 2005 as a member of the 16th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission.