John Cowden retired as of September 30, 2025. He concluded a distinguished career as a nationally and locally recognized litigator, known for his skill in high-stakes jury trials across multiple states and for achieving successful outcomes while guiding clients efficiently and strategically. He was honored as a “Dean of the Trial Bar” in the Kansas City area.
John served on the firm’s Executive Committee from 1990 to 2013 and as co-chair from 2014 to 2020, helping shape the firm’s growth and culture. Throughout his career, he handled complex litigation in aviation, automotive, healthcare and commercial sectors, including appellate matters and class actions, as well as product liability, antitrust, wrongful death and major commercial disputes.
He was recognized in Chambers USA for General Commercial Litigation and selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Kansas City Metropolitan Area, for Aviation Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants. Best Lawyers also named him Kansas City Lawyer of the Year in Aviation Law in 2022 and 2024, in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants in 2023, and in Product Liability Litigation - Defendants in 2017.
While John thrived on the challenge and drama of the courtroom, he often said the most rewarding part of his career was mentoring colleagues and helping clients achieve favorable outcomes.