Timothy J. Sear

Timothy J. Sear is a veteran trial attorney with over 35 years of experience in complex business litigation. Based in Polsinelli’s Kansas City office, he focuses on high-stakes disputes involving land use, real estate contracts, bankruptcy, and commercial torts. Known for delivering results in challenging cases, he has led both trial and appellate matters involving multi-million-dollar developments and sensitive business issues.

Timothy earned both his Bachelor of Arts (1980) and Juris Doctor (1985, with distinction) from the University of Iowa. He is admitted to practice in Missouri and Kansas, as well as in multiple U.S. District and Circuit Courts, including the Eighth and Tenth Circuits.

Throughout his career, Timothy has successfully represented clients in real estate litigation, products liability, non-compete disputes, and loan enforcement actions. His deep trial experience spans state and federal venues, and he has served as lead counsel in matters ranging from routine commercial claims to complex multi-party litigation. He also served as a panel bankruptcy trustee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas.

Timothy is recognized in Best Lawyers in America® for multiple practice areas, including commercial litigation, land use and zoning, and securities litigation. He has twice been honored as Kansas City’s “Lawyer of the Year” for land use and zoning litigation. Timothy also holds an AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently listed in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers.

Active in professional and community circles, Timothy J. Sear is a member of the Johnson County and Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Associations and has contributed to ethics and grievance committees. Timothy’s commitment to excellence, combined with decades of trial success, makes him a go-to litigator for complex commercial disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Polsinelli
• Member, Johnson County Bar Association, Ethics & Grievance Committee
• Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Licensed State

• Kansas
• Missouri

Education

• University of Iowa
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Iowa
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges