Kevin J. Arnel

Partner

Wichita

1551 N. Waterfront Parkway, Suite 100
Wichita, KS 67206-4466

T: 316.291.9761
F: 316.267.6345

karnel@foulston.com

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Profile

Kevin Arnel has an extensive legal practice in the areas of tax exempt organizations, real estate, general business, and estate planning. Kevin is often requested to assist clients in a capacity similar to that of an in-house general counsel. In that strategic role, he advises clients on the difficult issues and challenging opportunities confronting them on a daily basis. Kevin advises a diverse group of public charities, private foundations, and other tax exempt organizations regarding formation, operation, real estate, general business, and compliance issues. Kevin also assists for-profit business clients with a wide range of real estate transactions including commercial and residential property leasing, acquisitions, and development. He has broad experience working with small business owners, family-owned businesses, and professionals on general business issues and the development of simple and complex estate/succession plans. Kevin enjoys Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory’s highest “AV” rating for lawyers and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America^® as a leading tax and non-profit attorney in the United States. He was recognized by Best Lawyers^® as the 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 Wichita Non-Profit/Charities Law “Lawyer of the Year.”

Get to know Kevin J. Arnel

Education

Washburn University (J.D., 1987)
magna cum laude, Washburn Law Journal
Southern Methodist University (B.A., 1984)
with distinction, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

Kansas (1987)
Missouri (2020)
U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas (1987)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (1989)

Practice Areas

Industries

Community Involvement

Leadership Wichita, Wichita Chamber of Commerce
Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition Leadership Council, Member
Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care, Board of Directors
Sedgwick County Zoological Society, Inc., Past President; Board Member
United Methodist Open Door, Inc., Former Board Member
United Way 2011 Campaign Steering Council
Board of Pension and Health Benefits, Kansas West Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Former Board Member and Chairperson
Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas, Inc., Former Board Member
Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, Inc., Former Board Member
Starkey Foundation, Inc., Former Board Member

Relevant Experience

Tax Exempt Organizations

Formed and obtained exempt status for numerous tax-exempt organizations (public charities, private foundations, supporting organizations, social welfare organizations, employee organizations, associations, recreational organizations, etc.)

Assisted numerous tax-exempt organizations in structuring joint ventures and developing for-profit and tax-exempt subsidiaries.

Successfully defended IRS challenges including church inquiries, involving revocation of tax-exempt status, unrelated business income tax, inurement/private benefit, political activities, and attempts to collapse for-profit and tax-exempt entities.

Obtained private letter rulings regarding unrelated business income, for-profit subsidiaries, rural healthcare, hospital fitness center, and other issues.

Assisted numerous charitable organizations with contracting, acquisition, disposition, and licensing issues involving both for-profit and tax-exempt activities.

Assisted buyers in acquisition and subsequent disposition of 11,000 acre multifaceted project.

Ongoing representation of hotel chain in acquiring and developing sites throughout the United States.

Assisted buyers and sellers in numerous transactions involving the acquisition/disposition of residential and commercial real estate.

Assisted numerous landlords and tenants in leasing commercial real estate.

Assisted clients with condominium, survey/title review, and options.

Business & Estate Planning

Assisted numerous clients in selection and formation of business entities, the acquisition and disposition of business assets, and real estate acquisition, disposition, and leasing issues.

Assisted numerous clients with business succession planning, estate planning, premarital agreement planning and probate issues.

Professional Memberships, Affiliations, and Honors

Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025 Wichita Non-Profit / Charities “Lawyer of the Year”
Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Non-Profit / Charities Law and Tax Law, 2010-2025, and Corporate Law, 2025
Identified by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in the United States in the area of Tax, 2014-2024
Wichita Business Journal, Executives of the Year, 2020
Wichita Business Journal, 40 Under 40 Business Leader, 2000
American Bar Association
Kansas Bar Association
Wichita Bar Association
Kansas Bar Foundation Fellow
Wichita Bar Foundation Board of Directors