Tony F. Rupp

Tony Rupp represents decision-makers.

His clients gather the key information, weigh the alternatives, determine the best course, and are not afraid to act. Tony is there for them when those decisions are challenged.

Tony is the former partner-in-charge of the Kansas City office and a member of Foulston’s litigation & employment practice group. He represents large and small businesses, colleges, universities, and municipalities. Tony tries cases before juries, judges, and arbitrators. He argues appeals in state and federal courts. His docket includes high-profile matters from congressional redistricting to the constitutionality of state statutes to the defense of large class actions. 

Tony is listed in Chambers USA as a leading general commercial litigation attorney in the United States, named by Benchmark Litigation as a Local Litigation Star, recognized by Best Lawyers_^® since 2007, and enjoys Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory’s highest “AV” rating for lawyers. He was selected by his peers for inclusion in the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers_^® list.

Tony’s advocacy for business extends beyond his clients. He served as the 2022 Chair of the Board Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and has served on the executive committee of the Overland Park Economic Development Council. He is a past chair of the Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

In 2008, the Johnson County Bar Association honored Tony as the third recipient of the Honorable Earl E. O’Connor Civility Award recognizing professionalism, honor, integrity, preparation, and advocacy.

Education

• Creighton University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1983)
  Creighton Law Review, Assistant Editor
• Creighton University (BA, cum laude, 1979)

Admissions

• Kansas (1983)
• Missouri (1989)
• U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas (1983)
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri (1998)
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri (2007)
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (1985)
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (1992)

• Litigation & Disputes
• Healthcare
• Noncompete & Trade Secret Litigation
• Governmental Liability

• Healthcare
• Government

• Represented the State of Kansas in Congressional redistricting litigation.
• Represented the State of Kansas in defense of class action lawsuits and in defense of constitutionality of legislation.
• Prosecuted and defended corporations and executives in trade secrets cases in multiple jurisdictions.
• Defended class action lawsuits, including cases under state and federal antitrust laws.
• Represented corporations and individuals in fiduciary duty and other shareholder lawsuits.
• Defended doctors, attorneys, accountants, and other professionals in litigation in Kansas and Missouri.
• Tried multiple jury and court trials in state and federal courts in Kansas and Missouri. 
• Argued appeals in Kansas and Missouri and in the federal courts. 
• Extensive experience in arbitration and mediation. 
• Law clerk to the Hon. Dale Saffels, U.S. District Court, Kansas, 1983-85 
• Polsinelli, P.C. (previously Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, P.C.) 1985-2013, elected as partner in 1990

• Identified by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in the United States for Litigation: General Commercial, 2007-2024
• Named a "Litigation Star" in the area of Dispute Resolution by Benchmark Litigation, 2021-2025
• Recognized by Best Lawyers^® as the 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024 Kansas City, Kansas Litigation – Municipal "Lawyer of the Year;" 2017 Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants Kansas City, Kansas "Lawyer of the Year;" 2018 Kansas City, Kansas Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year;” 2020 and 2024 Municipal Law Kansas City, Kansas "Lawyer of the Year;" and 2025 Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Kansas City, Kansas "Lawyer of the Year"
• Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Municipal Law (2007-2025); Commercial Litigation (2008-2025); Litigation – Municipal, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2011-2025); Litigation – Banking and Finance (2022-2025); and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning (2023-2025)
• Selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers^® List, 2005-2024 (a Thomson Reuters business)
• American Bar Association
• The Missouri Bar
• Kansas Bar Association
• Kansas Bar Foundation Fellow
• Johnson County Bar Association, Charitable Foundation, Fellow; Charitable Foundation, Former Trustee; The Earl E. O'Connor Civility Award Recipient (2008)
• Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
• Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, Former President; William Kahrs Distinguished Service Award (KADC’s highest award)
• Defense Research Institute, Member; Former Kansas State Representative

• Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Past Chairman; Economic Development Council, Past Executive Committee Member; Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, Past Chair

2020

• How to (Ethically) Improve Your Negotiating Style (Foulston Siefkin LLP, Corporate Counsel Series: Ethics 2020)

2015

• All the Ethics News That’ll Fit in 50 Minutes (Foulston Siefkin LLP, Ethics Seminar for Corporate Counsel)
• Current Issues in Health Care Litigation (Foulston Siefkin LLP, Kansas City Health Law Institute)

2014

• Analyzing a Trade Secret Case in Kansas
  -The Journal of the Kansas Bar Association

2020

• Coronavirus: State of Missouri Issues Stay-at-Home Order