JACK M. EPPS
PARTNER
KANSAS CITY OFFICE
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1400
Overland Park, KS 66210-4041
T: 913.253.2159
PROFILE
Jack Epps devotes his law practice to helping clients succeed in their real estate and business ventures
in Kansas City and across the U.S. With over 25 years of experience in business and real estate
transactions, Mr. Epps is known for bringing valuable and creative yet practical solutions to the table for
his clients, and as a former college and professional athlete, he brings a relentless commitment to
excellence and hard work – which typically translates into success for his clients. Mr. Epps leads the
firm’s Kansas City area Real Estate Investment, Development, and Transactions practice and provides
ongoing counsel to businesses of all sizes.
Mr. Epps draws upon his extensive practical and legal business and real estate experience to represent
(a) retailers, (b) hotels, (c) real estate developers and (d) various real estate investors across the U.S. by
providing numerous real estate & business legal services, including: (1) assistance in identification of
appropriate sites/locations, (2) acquisition of properties, (3) structure of joint ventures on behalf of
developer/promoter and/or money investors, (4) obtaining funding via private equity and debt financing,
(5) obtaining development entitlements, including zoning, plan approvals and incentives, (6) development
and construction of projects, (7) leasing and sales, and (8) ongoing general counsel.
Mr. Epps provides business counsel in the areas of planning, structuring, negotiating, documenting and
closing all types of business deals, relationships and arrangements. He serves as a trusted “outside
business counsel” to a variety of businesses large and small. Mr. Epps is frequently called on to
represent clients in mergers and acquisitions through the acquisition or sale of existing businesses
and/or assets.
Education
University of Kansas (J.D., 1993)
Associate Editor - Kansas Law Review
Kansas State University (M.B.A., 1987)
Kansas State University (B.S., 1985)
Admissions
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Kansas (1994)
Missouri (1993)
PRACTICE AREAS
Real Estate
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Business & Corporate Law
Mergers & Acquisitions
Startup/Entrepreneurship
Family Business Enterprise
Construction
Banking & Financial Services
Tax-Exempt/Not-for-Profit Organizations
INDUSTRIES
Real Estate
Hospitality & Retail
Agribusiness
Banking & Financial Services
Closely Held Business
Construction
Franchise & Distribution
Healthcare
Insurance
Manufacturing
Tax-Exempt/Not-for-Profit Organizations
Long-Term Care
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Kansas State University, College of Business Administration, Dean's Business Advisory Council
Member
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Board Member
Legacy Christian Church, Legacy Endowment Board Member
Johnson County Parks and Recreation, Past Board Member
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Kansas City Chapter, Past Board Member
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Leadership Overland Park, Graduate
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Real Estate Investment, Development and Transactions
Mr. Epps represents developers and investors in every phase of their real estate investments and/or
development projects, including:
Identification, negotiation of contracts, and acquisition of properties or existing development projects;
Structure and formation of appropriate Joint Ventures and entities for each real estate venture;
Coordination of the development team of professionals, including, appraisers, surveyors, land planners,
engineers, architects, appraisers, contractors, brokers, etc.;
Identifying available project entitlements, including zoning and planning approvals as well as any
available incentives (e.g., STAR Bonds, Tax Increment Financing, property tax abatement, sales tax
capture/incentives, including Transportation Development Districts and Community Improvement
Districts);
Securing optimal development entitlements through:
discussions and negotiations with representatives of the various governmental entities, and
presentations to the various governing bodies, including City and County Planning
Commissions, City Councils and County Boards of Commissioners, and Appeal Boards;
Securing financing for the project through capital fundraising and debt financing;
Horizontal and vertical development and construction; and
Leasing and/or sale of the project or parts thereof.
Mr. Epps provides counsel in various types of real estate investments/projects, including:1) developed and
undeveloped properties; 2) retail shopping centers; 3) office buildings and complexes; 4) mixed-use
developments; 5) hotels; 6) single-tenant buildings; 7) multi-family projects; 8) single-family residential
subdivisions; and 9) senior/assisted living facilities.
Mr. Epps provides lead counsel to national developers and/or investors competing and/ or investing in the
single-tenant “build-to-suit” and “sale-leaseback” marketplace across the country representing clients in
each step of the client’s business plan, including: a) designing, structuring and forming the venture/entity;
b) negotiating and documenting the build-to-suit (or sale-leaseback) lease with credit-worthy tenants; c)
selecting and acquiring the optimal site; d) entitling the site through local governmental approvals,
including zoning, planning and available incentives; e) negotiating and documenting the appropriate
construction agreements; f) securing financing for the project through debt and equity funding; and g)
negotiating, documenting and executing of the best exit strategy to maximize the client’s return on their
investment.
Successful ground-up “build-to-suit” projects – where Mr. Epps was the lead outside counsel – include the
development and sale of numerous national single-tenant properties across the U.S., including Freddy’s
Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, WoodSpring Suites, Walgreens, CVS Health, McDonald’s, Burger King,
Hooters, Denny’s, Whataburger, Damon’s International Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company,
Quaker Steak, QuikTrip and Quick Stop, and Fresenius Dialysis Center.
www.foulston.com
General Business, Transactions and Investment Counsel
Mr. Epps provides legal counsel in the areas of planning, designing, structuring, negotiating, documenting,
closing and enforcing all types of business deals, relationships and arrangements, including those that
relate to the following:
Starting a new business beginning with working with the founders/entrepreneurs to design and
establish the best structure for the business venture, including corporations, limited liability companies,
partnerships and limited partnerships;
Funding/financing a new or existing business utilizing various debt and equity strategies;
Growing the business through acquisition transactions, including joint ventures, mergers, and
acquisitions via various stock and asset transactions;
Representing unrelated third party’s investment into an existing business in the various stages of
business life-cycles;
Growing and protecting a successful business through various business strategies and agreements
designed to incent winning and loyal performances by principals, employees, associates and
consultants, including stockholder and operating agreements, stock option plans and agreements,
employment and consulting agreements, and non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality
agreements;
Executing and securing the business plans through various deals and arrangements with third parties,
including manufacturing, distribution and licensing agreements, etc.; and
Selling or disposing of the business and/or the investors’ interest in the business through various sale
and exit strategies.
Partner, Polsinelli Shughart, 2003-2012
Associate and Partner, Bryan Cave, 1993-2003
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, AFFILIATIONS, AND HONORS
Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2019 and 2025 Business Organizations (including LLCs and
Partnerships) “Lawyer of the Year” in Kansas City
Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Business
Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2017-2025, Real Estate Law, 2019-2025, Corporate
Law, 2022-2025, Land Use and Zoning Law and Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2023-2025, and
Commercial Finance Law, 2025
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association – Business Transactional Law Committee, Real Estate Law
Committee
Johnson County Bar Association
National Football League – Former Registered Player Representative / Contract Advisor
National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Former Player / Safety with Kansas City Chiefs,
1986 and 1987
PUBLICATIONS
www.foulston.com
Author, New Strategies for M&A Buyers and Sellers, Inside the Minds: Dealing with M&A Financing and
Risk in a Changing Market
Author, Kansas Corporate Practice and Forms, Data Trace Publishing Co.
Co-Author, Missouri Corporate Practice and Forms, Data Trace Publishing Co.
PRESENTATIONS
Speaker at various seminars, including “Real Estate Deal-Making: Strategies for Acquisition, Structure
& Funding and Sale”
ISSUE ALERTS
2018
Don't Wait for IRS Guidance to Invest in Opportunity Zone Fund
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