Harvey R. Sorensen

Harvey R. Sorensen

Senior Partner

Wichita

1551 N. Waterfront Parkway, Suite 100
Wichita, KS 67206-4466

T: 316.291.9774
F: 316.267.6345

hsorensen@foulston.com

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Profile

Harvey Sorensen, a Foulston Siefkin senior partner, is one of the most well-respected corporate and business law attorneys in Kansas and an influential force in Wichita’s ongoing transformation as one of the country’s premier centers for innovation, technology, and education.

With more than four decades of experience in mergers, acquisitions, taxation, and general corporate matters, Harvey offers not only the knowledge of a seasoned professional, but also a relentless enthusiasm for advancing his clients’ interests and obtaining bottom-line results. His clients include established global manufacturers, national hospitality companies, franchisees and franchisors, investors, emerging technology companies, entrepreneurs, and closely held and family-owned businesses.

Serving as counsel to both buyers and sellers in numerous M&A transactions, Harvey has closed complex deals for public and private financial services companies, hotels, agribusinesses, health care entities, and others. He also brings extensive experience in all types of financings, including capital formations, private equity investments, and venture capital transactions. A significant aspect of Harvey’s practice also encompasses representing businesses of all sizes on tax matters. He provides strategic tax counsel, advises on intergenerational tax planning matters, identifies tax advantages, and helps clients take advantage of economic development incentives including opportunity zones and new market tax credits.

One of Harvey’s most visible accomplishments can be seen today as Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus evolves. He played an instrumental role in helping the university take the steps necessary to move the project forward by crafting the complex legal and business structure needed to accommodate the various interests of state and local governments, businesses, higher education, community leaders, and residents. The extensive undertaking, which involved forming public-private partnerships (PPPs), building new infrastructure, and bringing diverse groups of stakeholders to the table, is testament to Harvey’s commitment to both his clients and his community.

Harvey has relentlessly championed Wichita as a vibrant destination for companies seeking a business-friendly climate with an experienced, talented workforce. His efforts also helped retain major employers that contemplated moves to other states. Harvey has served in leadership roles for some of the state’s most influential business and civic groups, including Visioneering Wichita’s Steering Committee, the Kansas Governor’s DMV Modernization Task Force, the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, and the Wichita Technology Corporation. Active in many cultural, charitable, and educational organizations, he served as chair of the historic Orpheum Theatre’s Board of Directors from 2012-2019 and was heavily involved in its preservation efforts.

Harvey’s vision also extends to the global market. He helped elevate Foulston Siefkin’s reputation for excellence when it was invited to be a founding member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms. Harvey is also a member of Geneva Group International, one of the largest multidisciplinary professional associations in the world; an American College of Tax Counsel fellow; and is regularly cited for excellence by Chambers USA and other publications.   

A resident of Eastborough, Harvey and his wife have four adult children and six grandchildren. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoys playing golf, cheering on the Cubs, and traveling to places that include stops at vineyards, where he often discovers new wines to add to his collection.

Education

  • Northwestern University (J.D., 1974)
    cum laude
  • Boston University (Master of Science, Business Administration, 1973)
  • Beloit College (B.A. in Political Science & History, 1969)

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • Kansas (1976)
  • Wisconsin (1974)
Community Involvement
  • Wichita Police Foundation - Chairman
  • Equity Bancshares, Inc. - Director (2006-2021)
  • Equity Bank – Director (2006-2021)
  • Governor’s DMV Modernization Task Force (2012)
  • Orpheum Theatre, Board of Directors and past chair (2009-2019)
  • Kansas Workers Compensation and Employment Security Board Nominating Committee (2014-present)
  • Board member and counsel to the Wichita Technology Corporation as the representative of the Kansas Department of Commerce (since 2009)
  • Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce– Board of Directors (2001-2010); Vice Chairman (2002-2007); Chairman (2008)
  • Visioneering Wichita Steering Committee– Co-Chairman (2004-2009)
  • Wichita Rotary Charitable Foundation Board (2003-2006)
  • Wichita Collegiate School– Board of Trustees (1994-2004)
  • Wichita Downtown Development Corporation– Director (1996-2005); Chairman (1996-2003)
  • Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition– Board Member and elected Private Sector Representative (2004-2008)
  • Goodwill Industries Easter Seal Society of Kansas, Inc.– Board of Directors (2000-2007)
  • Episcopal Services Endowment Fund– Board Member (2003-Present)
  • Rotary International, Inc.– Member, Downtown Wichita Rotary Club (1990-Present)
  • City of Wichita, Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement District, Chair (2000-2003)
  • Wichita Grand Opera– Board of Directors (2001)
  • Kansas Public Telecommunications Services (KPTS, Channel 8)– Chairman (1996-2000); Board of Trustees (1978-2000)
  • Wichita Symphony Society– Board of Directors (1986 -1996)
  • WSU Center for Entrepreneurship– Advisory Board (1991-1995)
  • City of Eastborough, Kansas– City Commissioner (elected) (1991-1993)
  • Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Society– Board of Trustees (1986-1989)
  • Wichita Arts Council– Board of Trustees (1980-1987)
  • KMUW Radio, WSU- Board of Advisors (1980-1982)
Relevant Experience

Mergers and Acquisitions Transactions

  • Served as seller’s counsel for sale of a bank holding company of related business.
  • Served as purchaser’s counsel in connection with the purchase of a group of hotel properties.
  • Served as seller’s counsel on the sale of a web-based financial services company.
  • Served as purchaser’s counsel in the acquisition of feed lots for an agricultural business.
  • Served as seller’s counsel for sale of outsourcing business.
  • Served as purchaser’s counsel in consolidation of heavy equipment franchisees.
  • Served as seller’s counsel in sale of large multi-specialty physician practice group to hospital chain.
  • Served as merger and acquisitions counsel for restructuring and consolidation of independent office supply company industry.
  • Served as shareholder's counsel in a divisive reorganization of a software developer.

Capital Formation Transactions

  • Served as counsel to a Kansas-based oil and gas exploration and development company in the formation and capitalization of 3 limited partnerships.
  • Served as lead counsel to large hotel developer.
  • Served as counsel in formation of community bank.
  • Served as borrower’s counsel in securitized loan transactions.
  • Served as counsel to sellers in a significant issuance and transfer of equity to private equity firm in national franchise company.

Private Equity and Venture Capital Transactions

  • Served as lead counsel for a Canadian-based private equity firm in the purchase of manufacturing companies in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Served as counsel to venture capital firm investing in high tech companies.
  • Served as counsel to management in a management buy-out of a high tech manufacturing company.
  • Served as counsel to local angel investor network.
  • Served as counsel to management buy-out firm.
  • Served as counsel to senior management in the purchase by a private equity firm of a large manufacturer.
  • Served as counsel to software based internet medical product information company.

Public Private Partnerships

  • Served as counsel to hotel developer in cooperation with the City of Wichita in the development of downtown hotel project.
  • Served as counsel to real estate developer in a public private partnership for the development of a downtown Wichita mixed-use office, retail and residential project.
  • Served as counsel to real estate developer in a public private partnership for the development of mixed-use high rise and brownstone office, retail and residential project.
  • Served as counsel to state university in connection with the development of a multi-building, multi-use office, retail structure, and residential complex.
Professional Memberships, Affiliations, and Honors
  • American College of Tax Counsel Fellow
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2011 and 2014 Wichita Mergers & Acquisitions “Lawyer of the Year”
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Tax Law, and Venture Capital Law, 1993-2024
  • Selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® List, 2005-2011 (a Thomson Reuters business)
  • Identified by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in the United States for Corporate/M&A Law, 2005-2023
  • Wichita Business Journal, Executives of the Year Honoree, 2021
  • American Bar Association Member, Business Law Section and Tax Section (1976-present); Committee on Business Cooperatives and Agriculture, Chair (2001-2003)
  • Kansas Bar Association Tax Section - Member; Past President, Vice-President, Secretary, Member, Executive Committee
  • Wichita Bar Association Member
  • Integrated Advisory Group Firm Representative (2009-2012)
  • Lex Mundi, Inc. Firm Representative (2000-present), State and Local Tax Committee, Chair (2004-2006)
  • World Services Group Firm Representative, Director (2001-2007) and Chair (2005-2006)
  • GGI Global Alliance AG, Firm Representative (2016-present)
  • Selected for inclusion in The Business Journals' Influencers: Law list, 2018
Presentations

2019

  • Opportunity Zones (2019 MOKAN Trust and Financial Services Conference for the Missouri and Kansas Bankers Association)
  • Opportunity Zones (Cowley First-Cowley County Economic Development Partnership)

2018

  • Opportunity Zone Resource Panel (Kansas Department of Commerce Opportunity Zone Forum)

2010

  • Discussion of CFO Business Concerns (Foulston Siefkin CFO Forum)
Publications

2009

  • Chapter on Like Kind Exchanges
    -KBA Handbook, Kansas Real Estate Practice and Procedures

2006