John H. Johntz, Jr.
Topper was the lead draftsman of both the domestic relations laws of the State of Kansas and the Johnson County Guidelines used for child custody and financial dispositions. He has lectured extensively to legal, accounting, medical and lay audiences; has written a chapter in the book, Tax Aspects of Litigation; and has made seminar appearances for the Practicing Law Institute in New York City and San Francisco. As a member of the Kansas Board of Law Examiners, Mr. Johntz has been involved in writing and grading the Kansas Bar Exam since 1978. He has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court and the Federal and State Courts of Kansas.
Mr.
Johntz has counseled literally thousands of clients through his three decades
of practice. He has served as lead trial counsel in a number of complex domestic
relations cases and is recognized by the bar and the judiciary as an expert
in the proper methodology for evaluating and equitably distributing wealth
contained in closely held
corporations, business ventures and investments that are part of marital estates.
Mr. Johntz graduated valedictorian from Harvard University and then returned to the University of Kansas where he attained his Juris Doctorate degree with highest distinction and was Editor-in-Chief of the University of Kansas Law Review. Upon graduation, he was named the International Law School Graduate of the Year. In 1991, he was selected the Shawnee Mission North High School Distinguished Alumnus.
Mr. Johntz has served as a member of the Family Law Advisory Committee to the Kansas Judicial Council, as a member of the Board of Editors for the Kansas Bar Journal, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kansas University Law Society, as the General Chairman of the Annual Convention of the Kansas Bar Association, and as President of the Kansas University Law School Alumni Association of Greater Kansas City. He is also one of several principals of Payne & Jones Chartered who have received an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Topper's numerous community involvements include serving as President of the Kansas Arts Commission, President of the Harvard Club of Greater Kansas City, Treasurer of the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Greater Kansas City, Co-Chairman of the Bacchus Cultural and Educational Foundation of Kansas City, member of the Board of Directors for the Society of Fellows of the Nelson Gallery of Art, and member of the Board of Directors of the Theater League of Kansas City.
Mr. Johntz has been an officer, partner or member of the Board of Directors of various financial and other for-profit organizations. He has been married to his wife Linda for thirty-three years, and they have two adult sons.
