John Cowden is a locally and nationally recognized litigator and trial lawyer who has obtained successful results in hundreds of cases for his clients. Having defended claims in numerous major jury trials in various states, he has been selected as a “Dean of the Trial Bar” in the Kansas City area. John served on the firm’s Executive Committee from 1990-2013 and was its co-chair from 2014-2020.
John is ranked in Chambers USA for General Commercial Litigation and has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Kansas City Metropolitan Area, for his work in Aviation Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants. Best Lawyers named John the 2022 Kansas City Lawyer of the Year for Aviation Law.
Although he relishes the challenge and drama of the courtroom, his greatest satisfaction comes from achieving a good outcome for the client at an early stage for a reasonable cost.
Examples of cases handled within the last several years include:
- Jointly defended hospital supply manufacturer in federal court antitrust case resulting in summary judgment in favor of client—affirmed on appeal.
- Obtained appellate reversal of a jury verdict against an automobile manufacturer in a class action involving alleged product defects.
- Obtained dismissal of an aircraft parts supplier with no payment in a product liability wrongful death case in Missouri.
- Obtained dismissal of aircraft engine manufacturer with no payment in a product liability wrongful death case in Missouri.
- Defense of aerospace industry manufacturer in wrongful death action in New Jersey.
- Defense of claims against major commercial airlines in federal and state court.
- Defense of aircraft engine manufacturer in series of wrongful death cases arising from crash in central Kansas.
- Representation of international automobile manufacturer and seller in series of consumer fraud actions in Missouri and Kansas.