John Kurtz - Class of 1965 ![]() The first two years after law school were spent doing
central city work with children and the elderly through St. Augustine’s
Episcopal Church in Kansas City. Then came work as a law clerk
for Judge Paul Vardeman of the Jackson County Circuit Court followed by
service as an Assistant Public Defender for Jackson County from 1979 to
1981. The clients were indigent defendants in both juvenile
court and adult court. During the years from 1981 through 1997,
he was an associate and later a partner 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 66 jury cases and argued 26 appellate cases. The Missouri Bar gave him the Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award and the Pro Bono Lawyer Award. Community service includes the boards of directors for both Genesis School and The Community Movement for Urban Progress (MOVE-UP). In 1999, Jackson County, Missouri lawyers elected him to serve from 2000 through 2005 as a member of the 16th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission, a group that interviews judicial candidates and submits three nominees to the Governor of Missouri. John and Patricia Kurtz were married in 1987. She teaches at Liberty High School and William Jewell College. She is also an elected member of the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Education. They have 20 godchildren. Their home also serves as a residence for Whitey the Spaniel and Lucky the Mutt---two stray dogs who wandered up to their door and have been there ever since Back to "Kewpie
of the Month" Page----------------John
- 2002
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