James G. Butler

James G. Butler

In over 40 years of service at Wallace Saunders, James Butler has done it all – from winning awards like the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory’s highest “AV” rating for lawyers, to helping us shape and refine the firm into the office it is today. He was a founding member of the Business Practice Group, and he continues to guide the firm’s direction as a member of the Management Committee.

Jim also belongs to several professional organizations such as the Kansas, Missouri and Johnson County Bar Associations; and served as president for the Overland Park Optimist International Club, Shawnee Mission Medical Center Foundation and the Shadow Buddies Foundation.

Jim’s extensive experience goes back to the early years of the firm. Today his practice includes real estate, corporate, wills, construction, banking, healthcare, domestic and employment law.

Practice Groups

Banking and Financial Services

The Banking and Financial Services group believes the simple edict that “time is money and money is time.” This concept drives our responsive, practical counsel in all matters of financing. We are dedicated to resolving our clients’ disputes in a no-nonsense manner.

Business Litigation

Business litigation requires a unique blend of business-specific knowledge and litigation experience. Wallace Saunders has both the knowledge and the experience to protect and move your business forward. Our Business Litigation attorneys handle litigation matters across a broad spectrum of professions and industries.

Corporate

The Wallace Saunders Corporate Practice group focuses on three primary areas: entity formation, operations guidance and contracts.

Accurate entity formation can have a major impact on your liability exposure as well as substantial tax consequences. It’s important to have appropriate control features in the establishing documents for your entity to ensure your ability to run your company in the manner you see fit.

Mergers & Acquisitions

The Wallace Saunders Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group advises companies and firms in connection with a wide variety of mergers and acquisitions transactions. We serve as counsel on virtually any type of purchase and sale transaction involving our business clients. Our lawyers have facilitated mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of assets and ownership interests, and a variety of asset combinations, across a wide array of industries. We strive to understand our clients’ financial and operational dynamics, focusing on both the legal and business aspects of a transaction to ensure that the deal structure and terms reflect our clients’ business goals. Our lawyers are skilled at drafting effective representations, warranties, and covenants. The Wallace Saunders Corporate Practice Group assists our Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group clients with entity formation, operations guidance and contracts.

Real Estate

Companies, municipalities, real estate developers and individuals have all called on Wallace Saunders for assistance with various types of commercial, residential, multifamily and land development projects.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

Preservation and protection. The premises are simple. Navigating them can be complex. At Wallace Saunders, we focus on details, turning every stone to preserve your hard-earned wealth. We protect you, your family and your business. To us, it’s more than a job – it’s a duty we take to heart.

Personal

His family has held tickets to KU basketball and football since 1969.

Easygoing • Sensible • Benevolent

Education

Washburn University School of Law, Juris Doctor

Law Review, Comments Editor

The University of Kansas, B.S., Accounting

Professional Practice

1969-present: Wallace Saunders

1973-present: Partner
Member, Management Committee
Past chairman, Management Committee

Professional Licensure

Trial and appellate courts of Kansas and Missouri
Federal District Court of Kansas
Western District of Missouri
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Tax Court

Professional Accomplishments

AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®
Edmonds Award, Shawnee Mission Medical Center Foundation

Civic Activities

Past President, Overland Park Optimists International
Past President, Shawnee Mission Medical Center Foundation
Finance Committee Member, Shawnee Mission Medical Center
Board Member, Shadow Buddies Foundation
Past President, Shadow Buddies Foundation

News + Events + Alerts

Schalie Johnson elected to KU Endowment Board of Trustees

https://news.ku.edu/2023/10/30/ku-endowment-board-elects-6-new-trustees

Attorneys Chris Confer and Stephanie Blaylock return to present at AAR “Claims School”

The American Association of Railroads (“AAR”) recently held its annual “Claims School” – a training and education opportunity the AAR provides to claims representatives of various railroads. Last year, Mr. Confer and Ms. Blaylock presented at the Claims School, and because that presentation was so successful, the AAR invited Mr. Confer and Ms. Blaylock to give this presentation again to a new group of attendees.