Washburn Law alumni continue to make a difference in the lives of our students by volunteering their time and sharing their talents for various events hosted by our Centers for Excellence. In the past year, we welcomed Practitioners in Residence Patrik Neustrom, '77, Salina, Kan.; Efrain Soto, '04, Chicago; and Nelson Spear, '90, Midland, Texas. An additional 16 alumni presented programs to students this fall alone. The forthcoming issue of the Washburn Lawyer highlights many of these alumni presentations.

Shawnee County District Court Judge David E. Bruns,'84, graciously offered to Washburn Law the opportunity to host the final settlement hearing in the Kinder Morgan class action case on Nov. 12. This allowed our students the rare opportunity to witness the end of a lengthy legal process and possibly the largest common fund recovery, upwards of $200 million, in a merger-related class action.

The Washburn Law Clinic celebrated 40 years of service to our students and community on Oct. 23 with a CLE presentation, tours of the law school and a dinner featuring The Honorable Gregory Waller, '73, Wichita, as guest speaker.

The Dean's Circle event on Oct. 9 in Kansas City brought together alumni and friends and was a great success.

I invite you to read more Washburn Law news in this issue of the Alumni Newsletter.

As we near the end of 2010, I thank you for your continuing support of Washburn Law, and I wish you a prosperous 2011.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Romig
Dean and Professor of Law
Washburn University School of Law

Caplinger Appointed to Kansas Supreme Court

Washburn Law alumna Nancy Moritz Caplinger, '85, Topeka, was appointed by Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson to be a justice on the Kansas Supreme Court. With Caplinger's selection, Washburn Law graduates comprise five of the seven Kansas Supreme Court justice appointments.

Johnson Named Alumni Fellow

Lynn R. Johnson, '70, was honored as the Washburn University Alumni Fellow from the law school on Oct. 22, 2010. He is principal shareholder and president, Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman Chtd., Kansas City, Mo.

Law Clinic Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Washburn Law Clinic hosted its 40th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 23. Events began with a CLE presentation by Professors John J. Francis and Aliza Organick. Attendees toured the Law Clinic and law school buildings before heading across campus for a tailgate party and football game. The featured speaker at the evening dinner was Judge Gregory Waller, '73, who was the presiding judge in the trial of the BTK serial killer.

Mentor/Mentee Reception Kicks Off 2010 program

The 8th annual Mentor/Mentee reception on Sept. 30 kicked off this year's Mentor Program that attracted 97 volunteer lawyers to be paired with first-year law students. The Washburn University School of Law Mentor Program is designed to give first-year students a connection to the community and a resource for discussing issues related to their careers.

Fall 2010 Incoming Class

Washburn Law welcomed a talented and diverse group of 144 new students from 23 different states and one each from China, South Korea, and the Virgin Islands.

Class of '85 Reunion

The Washburn Law Class of 1985 Reunion was celebrated Sept. 10 and 11 and included an open house at the law school, reception and dinner at Memorial Union, golf, and a picnic at Lake Shawnee. Thanks to the generosity of the class, contributions totaled $23,290, of which $15,000 will be used to create a separate endowment.