L. Franklin Taylor, Partner

Phone: 913.782.2350
Fax: 913.782.2012

I have practiced law in Johnson County since 1975 with a focus on personal and business planning.  I represent individual and business clients on issues that are important to them.  My practice is motivated by what I can accomplish for my clients rather than by whose file I can bill.  I believe this philosophy ensures quality representation at a fair cost.

I have extensive experience in estate planning, drafting wills and trusts, estate administration, preparing related tax returns, and estate and trust litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels.  I have represented small and large corporations in initial start-up, expansion, merger, acquisition and liquidation of corporate and partnership entities, both general and limited.  I have represented clients in all phases of commercial lending, including structured and secured transactions and loan workouts within and outside bankruptcy.  I have written two chapters of the Kansas Bar Association's Kansas Estate Administration Handbook, and a chapter in the Kansas Corporation Law Handbook.  I have frequently acted as a presenter at estate and trust law, business law and real estate seminars.  I have been a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel since 1995.

Our firm's family law group asks me to prepare Qualified Domestic Relations Orders to divide pension and profit sharing plans in connection with client divorces.  I have prepared several hundred QDROs and related orders for attorneys in the firm, other lawyers and other clients.

From August 1, 1999, to March 31, 2011, I served as president and CEO of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, I supervised a staff of 18 people in providing small business services, economic development support and convention and tourism activities. The Olathe Chamber of Commerce has over 1500 members and was designated "Nation's Best Chamber" for 1999-2000 by the National Association of Membership Development.

I believe I bring a unique background to the practice of law.  I have an undergraduate degree in Physics and Mathematics from Doane College.  Before attending law school, I served as an engineering officer on a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered cruiser.  After naval service during the Vietnam conflict, I earned a law degree at the University of Kansas, where I was editor in chief of the Kansas Law Review and was awarded membership in the Order of the Coif, a national legal honorary society.

My wife, Kathy, is a registered pharmacist and retail pharmacy manager.  My daughters, Laura and Debbie, are both graduates of Olathe North High School.  Laura is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Education.  Debbie has a degree in Spanish and a law degree from the University of Kansas.

Admitted to practice

• Kansas, 1975
• U.S. Tax Court, 1975
• U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, 1975
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1978
• Missouri, 1990
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 1990

 Education

•  University of Kansas School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas, J.D., 1975, summa cum laude
• Order of the Coif
• University of Kansas Law Review, Editor in Chief, 1974–1975
• Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, B.A., 1967, cum laude
• U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School, Vallejo, California, 1969

Honors and awards

• Super Lawyer, Missouri and Kansas - Business/Corporate, Estate Planning and Probate, 2005 - present
• Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, 1992 - present