Robert J. Janowitz

Affectionately known as “Jano”, Bob was a proud native of Brooklyn, New York. Bob graduated from the City College of New York in 1964 and was a 1967 graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Bob went to work for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in 1969 after two years of private practice in New York. His work with the NLRB took him to Seattle as a trial attorney where he met and married Linda Best. He was then promoted to a supervisory attorney position with Region 6 of the NLRB in Pittsburgh, PA. In December of 1976, the NLRB’s General Counsel appointed Bob as Regional Attorney of Region 17, in the Kansas City area. At 33 Bob became the youngest regional attorney ever appointed by the NLRB.

In late 1980 Bob returned to private practice, first as a partner with Roan & Grossman and later with the firm of Elliott and Kaiser. In March of 1987, Bob joined Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP and became the Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Law Section. In December of 1999 Bob left to become the Office Head and to open the first Midwest location of the national law firm, Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP.

In addition to his full-time legal practice, Bob also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Labor Law at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, School of Law for over 30 years. Bob took great pride in his time teaching at the law school.

Bob practiced labor and employment law for over 43 years. Jano was a friend and mentor to many young lawyers throughout his career, and left an indelible mark on everyone with whom he practiced law. He was a vigorous and effective advocate who cared greatly for his clients, many of whom became lifelong friends after their legal relationship had ended. Jano was held in the highest regard within the entire legal community. His passion for the law may have only been rivaled by his enjoyment in watching his baseball and hockey games with a drink and a nice cigar. Those same cigars may not have been considered so “nice” by friends who accompanied him on fishing trips to Canada and to the bass and bluegill-rich impoundments closer to home. His insistence on using live bait was in part a reflection of his competitive nature – he always wanted to catch more fish – and in part due to his life-long practice of taking contrarian positions. Jano’s notable Brooklyn accent, unforgettable laugh and unwavering positive outlook on life will be sadly missed. He was truly one of a kind.

Bob’s affiliations were: Past Board of Directors of the Heart of America Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors, Past President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Committee, Member of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section, Member of the Section’s NLRB Practice and Procedures Committee, Past Board President for the Don Bosco Center, Member of the Board of Directors for Kids TLC, Inc., and was Admitted to the United States Supreme Court 1977, Admitted to Missouri 1980.

Bob Janowitz has been recognized in the publication, Best Lawyers In America. He has won the following awards: Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, Chambers USA Guide, and Top 100 Labor Attorneys in the United States by Labor Relations Institute, Inc.

Bob is survived by his wife of 42 years Linda, his daughter Regina Rose Janowitz, his brother Kenneth Jordan, his nieces Kimberly and Lindsay Jordan and nephew Bradford Jordan.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm, Friday, October 25, at McGilley State Line Chapel. Celebration of Life service will be at 4 pm, Saturday, October 26, at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Rd., Kansas City, MO 64145.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a volunteer philanthropic organization (501c3) that gave Bob joy because of its service to the community: JCYM, 7702 Mize Road, Shawnee, Kansas 66227. Please offer condolences at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com