Bio

Jon Newman is one of our partners and concentrates his practice in the area of employment law, civil litigation and workers compensation. Jon represents our clients in employment matters in federal and state courts as well as administrative agencies and handles all types of employment law issues, including wage and hour violations, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Kansas Wage Payment Act (KWPA).  Jon has been practicing law since 1995 and was named Best Lawyers in America, Employment law--Individuals, 2018-2020 and Best Lawyers in America, Employment law-- Management/Insurance, 2019-2020.  He was named Best Lawyers in America, Workers Compensation Law—Employers, 2012-2020 and Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Wichita Workers Compensation Law—Employers, 2014-2015

Jon consults with clients on the front end to avoid costly litigation in the future by ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.  He also assists clients in preparation of employee handbooks and policies, employment contracts, and severance agreements, knowing that being well-prepared can help an employer avoid legal issues in the workplace. In addition, Jon practices general civil litigation in both state and federal courts such as personal injury and property loss claims and is a frequent lecturer to national, regional and local businesses and legal professionals in Kansas regarding various legal issues. 

Jon and his wife, Linda, are both active volunteers in the community and are the parents of two daughters. He served as Kansas Humane Society Board of Directors as Chairman for 2012-2013 and is also still a devoted pet parent - when’s he not wailing on the drums, a skill that serves him well in all aspects of life.

Education

Undergrad: B.S. University of Kansas, 1990
Law School: Washburn University, 1994 with honors
Year Started Practicing: 1994
Year Started with Hite, Fanning & Honeyman: 1997

Court Admissions

• Kansas, 1995
• U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, 1995

Honors

• Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law--Individuals, 2018-2019, 2021
• Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law—Management, 2019-2021
• Best Lawyers in America, Insurance Law, 2021
• Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Wichita Workers Compensation Law—Employers, 2014-2015
• Best Lawyers in America, Workers Compensation Law—Employers, 2012-2018, 2021
• Wichita Business Journal "40 Under 40" honoree for community and professional accomplishments, 2005

Professional Memberships

• Wichita Bar Association (WBA) Member: 1995-present; President, 2010-2011; President-Elect, 2009-2010; Vice President, 2007- 2008; Secretary/Treasurer, 2006-2007; and Board of Governors, 2004-2006
• Kansas Bar Association (KBA) Member: 1995-present
• American Bar Association (ABA) Member: 1995-present
• Wichita Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2010-2011
• Wichita Young Lawyers Society, President, 2001-2002; Vice President, 1999-2000
• Sedgwick County Law Center LLC, Board of Trustees, Secretary, 2009-2011
• Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, 2012-present
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), 2007-present
• Society of Human Resource Management, 2019-present
• Client Protection Fund Commission 2020-2023

Community Involvement

• Client Protection Fund Commission, appointment by the Kansas Supreme Court (2022-2026)
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Board of Trustees, 2005-2007
• Kansas Humane Society, Board of Directors, 2006-2013; Chairman, 2012-2013; and Treasurer, 2010-2011
• Wichita Downtown Rotary, 2017-present

Presentations

• Current Wage and Hour Landscape, Society of Human Resource Management, 2019
• Navigating the Maze of FLSA Requirements, Kansas Department of Administration, 2019
• Employment Law Settlement Agreements: Covering all the Bases, Kansas Bar Association, 2018
• Settlement Agreements Following Mediation, Kansas Bar Association, 2018
• Human Resources Issues and Local Government Law, National Business Institute (NBI), 2018
• Wage and Benefit Issues, National Business Institute (NBI) 2018
• Avoiding Wage and Hour Violations, National Business Institute (NBI), 2016
• Drafting Must-Have Policies for Today's Handbooks, National Business Institute (NBI), 2016
• Telecommuters or Remote Work Force Injuries, Kansas Self-Insurers Association, 2012
• New Workers Compensation Law Changes in Kansas, Construction Financial Management Association, 2011
• Update of Kansas Appellate Court Decisions, Kansas Self Insured Association, 2010
• Casco and Johnson: A View from the Trenches, Kansas Division of Workers Compensation Seminar, 2008
• Work Disability Compensation in Kansas, Kansas Division of Workers Compensation Seminar, 2004
• Fundamentals of Work Comp, Sterling Education, 2003

Publications

• Kansas Employee Privacy Laws, Thomson Reuters, 2016