John R. Gerdes

John R. Gerdes is a Kansas attorney and member at Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson & Kitch, LLC, focused on taxation, business law, corporations, partnerships, and estate planning. He joined his firm in 1991 and serves on its executive committee. He advises clients on tax disputes, business transactions, entity formation, compensation arrangements, franchising, licensing, real estate, and related commercial matters. His practice combines transactional planning with litigation experience involving complex tax and business issues before courts and administrative authorities for clients.

John earned his B.A. from Benedictine College in 1982 and his J.D., cum laude, from Washburn University in 1990. He later earned an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida in 1991. His advanced tax education supports a practice involving income, estate, gift, sales, use, and property tax issues. He applies that training when advising businesses, individuals, and entities on planning, disputes, transactions, and compliance matters across varied circumstances.

John represents clients in tax controversies at audit, appeal, and litigation stages, including matters involving income, estate, gift, sales, use, and ad valorem taxes. He also handles business sales and purchases, asset and stock transactions, entity formation, employee compensation arrangements, franchising, distributorships, and real estate transactions. His courtroom experience includes matters before the US Tax Court and the Fifth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals in complex federal tax disputes.

John R. Gerdes is licensed to practice in Kansas and Missouri and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America across business organizations, corporate law, tax litigation, tax law, and trusts and estates. He has received multiple Wichita Lawyer of the Year honors from Best Lawyers and recognition from Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers for tax law. His professional work includes presentations on tax and business topics to community groups.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson & Kitch, LLC
• Member, Missouri Bar Association
• Member, Wichita Bar Association

Licensed State

• Kansas
• Missouri

Education

•  University of Florida
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• Washburn University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Benedictine College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)