2006 News Index
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast region affecting the lives of thousands in some of the poorest communities in the nation and created a significant need for legal assistance. Equal Justice Works-Topeka Chapter at Washburn University School of Law is raising funds to send its members to New Orleans January 2-5, 2007, to assist residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. See the full story. (Posted December 8, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted David "Dusty" Moshier, Class of 1977, on Thursday October 5, 2006. Mr. Moshier gave an insightful lunch hour presentation about the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), how it directly relates to business clients and possible legal consequences violations of the Act may have on these clients. Mr. Moshier's discussion focused on the "White Collar Exemptions" and he shared specific real world examples illustrating how FLSA works. Mr. Moshier provided all those in attendance with a workbook describing how to read and apply the FLSA to real world situations. Mr. Moshier is an attorney with Hampton & Royce, L.C., in Salina, Kansas. (Posted November 21, 2006)
The Veterans Legal Association of Washburn (VLAW) hosted Kenneth Carpenter, president of Carpenter Chartered and founding member of the National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, on November 11, 2006. Mr. Carpenter spoke on the appeals process for VA claimants under the Veterans Judicial Review Act. He highlighted the problems faced by VA claimants including the complexity of the process and the length of time to complete an appeal. Mr. Carpenter's practice in Topeka represents veterans nationally and he frequently argues before the Court of Veterans Appeals in Washington, D.C. Mr. Carpenter expressed that representing veterans is a challenging but highly rewarding practice. (Posted November 14, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted a panel discussion, "The Business Client's View of What they Want in a Lawyer," on Friday, October 20, 2006. Panelists were George Hersh, Jr., who has owned and managed businesses in industries ranging from construction to moving (seated left in accompanying photo); Helen Crow, a long-time Topeka, Kansas realtor; and Bob Schuster, manager of the Topeka and Wichita offices of Kennedy and Coe, LLC. See the full story. (Posted October 25, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted Professor Eugene Kontorovich, visiting professor of law at Northwestern University, on Thursday, October 19, 2006. Professor Kontorovich spoke to approximately 30 students and faculty about the "Dangers of Universal Jurisdiction." He explained that universal jurisdiction is the theory that any jurisdiction may prosecute any party at any time, regardless of the jurisdiction's contacts with the incident or parties involved. An example of this type of jurisdiction is the prosecution of Rwandan Nuns by the courts of Belgium for the nuns' role in genocide committed in Rwanda. Professor Kontorovich argued that universal jurisdiction can be dangerous because an outside party's prosecution of individuals may in fact hinder the relationship of the interested parties and make reconciliation more difficult. (Posted October 23, 2006)
The 2006 Shamberg Symposium: Judicial Independence was held Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at the Washburn University Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center. The opening presentation was by Deborah Goldberg, Director, Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law. See the full story. (Posted October 15, 2006)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosts Judge Ron Greenberg from Thursday, October 12, through Monday, October 16, 2006 for presentations and discussions, including the benefits of meditation and how it can play an role in students' success in law school and beyond; the effect of law school on lawyers; how meditation can improve health, professional performance and satisfaction with work; and how the meditative perspective can be transformative in the working lives of lawyers. See the full story.
David E. Pierce, professor of law, has been named director of The Business and Transactional Law Center at Washburn University School of Law. The Center provides students with additional educational opportunities to expand their knowledge in business law while developing the essential skills of the transactional lawyer. See the full story. (Posted October 5, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Jennifer Osborn on Thursday, September 21, 2006. Ms. Osborn spoke about insurance regulation and compliance issues in her presentation, "What Does An Insurance Attorney Do?" See the full story. (Posted October, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted Scott Bloch, from the White House Office of Special Counsel, on Tuesday, September 26, 2006. Mr. Bloch spoke to students and faculty about "Is there A Fourth Branch of Government: Independent Agencies and the US Office of Special Counsel?" He explained that the role of the Office of Special Counsel is to be a watchdog over other administrative agencies and ensure that those agencies obey the law. However, while it is his job to watch these agencies, his agency and some others have no direct oversight. In fact, these agencies are literally running the everyday lives Americans, but are not accountable to the American people. Mr. Bloch explained that most politicians come into office planning to shorten the leash on administrative agencies, but then come to realize the political harm they are facing by reducing administrative agencies. Mr. Bloch stressed that if this system is to change, it must be changed by the American People, not the American Government. (Posted September 26, 2006)
The Washburn Student Bar Association sponsored a welcome event on Monday, Spetember 28, 2006, to introduce new permanent members of the faculty and staff. Visiting Assistant Professor of Law Randall Hodgkinson is teaching Criminal Appeal Advocacy. Associate Professor of Law Tonya Kowalski is teaching Legal, Analysis, Research and Writing. Visiting Professor of Law Larry Putt is teaching Real Estate Transactions and Negotiation. Professor Michael Hunter Schwartz is teaching Torts, Remedies and directs the academic support programs. Visiting Associate Professor of Law Fatina Williams is teaching Federal Courts and Labor Law. In addition, Janessa Akin is the new Associate Director of Admissions and Pamela Arnoldy is on the Family Law Quarterly staff. (Posted September 25, 2006)
Washburn Law and the Children and Family Law Center hosted a reception for Julie Kunce Field, former director of the Washburn Law Clinic and nationally recognized expert on confidentiality and privilege issues as they relate to domestic violence and sexual assault, on Tuesday, September 12, 2006. Ms. Field was in Topeka as the trainer for "Handling the Custody Case: Effective Representation of the Victim of Sexual and Domestic Violence" sponsored by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. She also lectured in Professor Joyce Grover's Domestic Violence class on September 13. Ms. Field is currently a National Domestic Violence Consultant in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Posted September 22, 2006)
The Tax and Estate Planning Association and Professional Development Office sponsored a panel of attorneys who have received an LLM in tax on Tuesday, September 12, 2006. Scott MacBeth from Hinkle Elkouri Law Firm LLC, Hellen Haag from Bever Dye LC and Professor Brad Borden discussed the LLM programs at the schools they attended, the benefits of an LLM and the impact that it has had on their careers. Mr. MacBeth received his LLM from New York University, Ms. Haag received her LLM from the University of Denver and Professor Borden received his LLM from the University of Florida. The panel also answered questions from students. (Posted September 19, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted its first speaker of the 2006-2007 academic year, Professor Robert Turner, on Thursday, September 7, 2006. Professor Turner, Associate Director, Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, addressed more than 70 Washburn Law students and faculty about "The NSA Warrantless Wiretap Controversy and the Constitition: Was Congress the Real Lawbreaker," and "Did FISA Contribute to 9/11?" This is a topic he has discussed in many recent articles. Professor Turner pointed out that the framers of the Constitution understood that Congress could not keep secrets, so the job of gathering intelligence fell to the President through the Executive power granted in the Constitution. Furthermore, had Congress not interfered through the enactment of FISA laws it may have been possible for the CIA and other government intelligence agencies to have known of the identities of the 911 hijackers before the 911 incident. Based on these issues, Professor Turner ultimately argued that the warrantless wiretapping, currently undertaken by the Bush administration, is constitutional. (Posted September 15, 2006)
Washburn Law staff, faculty and students honored and celebrated with Virgie Smith at a retirement reception on Tuesday, August 29, 2006. Ms. Smith first joined Washburn in 1976 as a cataloger. In 1986, she became reference and collection maintenance librarian. Throughout her thirty years at Washburn Law Virgie worked diligently to maintain the law library's archives and general stacks collection, acquiring a wealth of knowledge about and for the law school. As a reference librarian she taught legal information literacy to hundreds of law students and frequently went above and beyond ordinary service by providing a personal touch and creating memorable relationships. Ms. Smith is also active in the community. She is a member of the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and has been involved in endeavors and outreach services such as visiting various nursing homes, teaching Sunday school, singing and directing the Adult Choir, and serving as KVD Project 66 Chair, Church Clerk and Deaconess, Publicity Chair for the Topeka Churches Singing Convention, and Corresponding Secretary of Topeka City Mission Union. The entire law school community wishes Virgie a long and fulfilling retirement. (Posted September 13, 2006)
Students starting at Washburn Law in August 2006 joined together to participate in a six community service projects around Topeka on Saturday, August 19, 2006. See the full story. (Posted September 13, 2006)
Washburn Law hosted members of The Association of Reporters of Judicial Decisions (ARJD) during their visit to Topeka on Friday, August 4, 2006, as part of the Association's Annual Meeting held in Kansas City, Missouri. Mark Folmsbee and other members of the Law Library staff presented information to attendees about the ARJD web site and other resources available to members (i.e., the ARJD electronic discussion list), discussed WashLaw, computer security, cyber safety, and various types of courtroom technology. (Posted September 13, 2006)
Law professor Bill Rich has been appointed interim dean for the Washburn University School of Law, effective Aug. 1. He will assume the duties of Dean Dennis R. Honabach, who has accepted the position of dean of Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Ky. See the full story. (Posted June 27, 2006)
William Rich, associate dean, Washburn University School of Law, will appear this weekend on Kansas public television's "On The Record" to talk about the controversy surrounding communications between a Supreme Court justice and state senators. Other guest include State Rep. Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, and retired Supreme Court Justice Harold Herd. KPTS, based in Wichita, will produce the program. It airs at 8 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2006 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 25 on KPTS; at 12:30 p.m. Sunday on KTWU; and at noon Sunday on Smoky Hills Public Television. (Posted June 22, 2006)
Kay McFarland, Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Washburn Law School Association, the alumni organization of Washburn University School of Law, at a luncheon Saturday, June 10, 2006. Washburn Law Dean Dennis R. Honabach was this year's recipient of the Honorary Life Membership, and H. Allan Caldwell, former general counsel for Koch Industries, Wichita, received the Distinguished Service Award. See the full story. (Posted June 13, 2006)
Dennis R. Honabach, dean of the Washburn University School of Law since 2001, has accepted the position of dean of Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Ky. At Washburn, Honabach was instrumental in the development of the Business and Transactional Law Center, Center for Excellence in Advocacy and Children and Family Law Center. See the full story. (Posted May 30, 2006)
Washburn University School of Law held its 100th Commencement on May 14, 2006 at Lee Arena in Petro Allied Health Center on the Washburn University campus to recognize the Class of 2006. The Juris Doctor (J.D.) was conferred upon 148 graduates during the ceremony. James C. Slattery, Class of 1974, gave the commencement address and The Honorable Sam A. Crow was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws. See the full story. (Posted May 19, 2006)
Incoming Washburn University School of Law students Timothy Belsan, Wichita; and Mark Lippelmann, Lyons; will join Aimee Betzen, Claire Terrebonne, both of Wichita; Laurel Klein Searles, Minneapolis; and Eric Pauly, Conway Springs, as the newest recipients of The J. L. Weigand Jr. Notre Dame Legal Education Trust scholarship for the 2006-2007 school year. Weigand Scholarships are the nation's largest legal education scholarships. See the full story. (Posted May 9, 2006)
Washburn University School of Law held its Thirteenth Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 to recognize law students participating in Washburn Law Journal and Family Law Quarterly. See the full story. (Posted April 21, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted its final speaker of the academic year, Professor John O. McGinnis, on Thursday, April 13, 2006. Professor McGinnis spoke to more than 45 Washburn Law students and faculty about "International and Foreign Law in Constitutional Interpretation," a topic he has written about in a recent article. He asserted the view that international and foreign law should not be cited with any authoritative value and believes that using international and foreign law subverts the democratic process. Associate Dean and Washburn Law Professor of Law William Rich provided a counter perspective, arguing that international and foreign law are merely persuasive and can be cited like any other persuasive material. (Posted April 18, 2006)
Washburn University School of Law held its Center for Excellence in Advocacy Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, April 10, 2006 at the Bradbury Thompson Center on the Washburn University campus. See the full story. (Posted April 17, 2006)
Two Washburn Law student organizations participated in spring clean-up projects on Saturday, April 8, 2006. Students from the Veteran's Legal Association at Washburn (VLAW) spent the morning at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Topeka. Projects included painting sheds, fences and park benches and preparing flower gardens for the spring. Students from the Environmental Law Society (ELS) performed clean-up along the Landon Nature Trail. Projects included clearing dead brush from along the trail and repairing a bridge. (Posted April 14, 2006)
Washburn University held its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony Wednesday, April 12, 2006. A number of Washburn Law employees received awards. Curtis Von Lintel (Library, 5 years), Cherie Bauer (Advancement Office, 20 years) and Donna Haverkamp (Dean's Office, 20 years) received Classified and Administrative Length of Service Awards. David Ryan, who retired following the Spring 2005 semester, was awarded Emeritus status. Debi Schrock (Clinic; Administrative category), Mary Beth Bero (Law School; Secretarial/Clerical category) and Donna Vilander (Professional Development; Secretarial/Clerical category) were Outstanding Service Award Nominees. (Posted April 14, 2006)
The International Law Society hosted Michael Massey, Vice President and General Counsel for Payless ShoeSource, Inc. on Tuesday, April 11, 2006. Mr. Massey discussed his career path and provided in-depth information about Payless itself, including stories behind the company's expansion into Latin America and Asia. Mr. Massey also highlighted the legal implications that arise from manufacturing products in one country, importing them into the United States, and then exporting them to other countries. (Posted April 12, 2006)
Professor Jeffrey D. Jackson took part in a national symposium on designing the best judicial selection system. The April 7, 2006 symposium, "Rethinking Judicial Selection: A Critical Appraisal of Appointive Selection of State Court Judges," was held in New York City at Fordham University School of Law. Jackson joined judges, academics and other experts from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Iowa, Idaho, Alabama, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas as they discussed and debated classic and new models for judicial appointment. Papers prepared by the participants as part of this symposium will be published in an upcoming issue of the Fordham Urban Law Journal. (Posted April 10, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted Kevin Hasson, founder of the Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty, on Thursday, April 6, 2006. Mr. Hasson spoke to more than 70 Washburn Law students and faculty about religious liberty. He asserted that everyone has the "right to be wrong" because they have an innate right to choose to worship as their conscience dictates. Mr. Hasson believes that this right comes from a source higher than the state and that this is why the state cannot treat religion as merely private. Mr. Hasson elaborates on these ideas in his recent book, The Right to Be Wrong: Ending the Culture War Over Religion in America. (Posted April 10, 2006)
The Washburn University School of Law Moot Court team of Matthew Ballard and Zach Chaffee-McClure captured first place at the Evan A. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition at the University of Wisconsin in Madison March 31 - April 2, 2006. Ballard and Chaffee-McClure, both second-year law students, also received the award for top respondent's brief (91 KB PDF). See the full story. (Posted April 7, 2006)
Washburn Law Democrats recently hosted two speakers who are running for office in the fall 2006 elections. Nancy Boyda, a candidate in the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas, visited Washburn Law on Monday, March 13, 2006. She spoke on a variety of topics, including agricultural and rural issues, education funding, corporate taxation, and her renewed vigor for the camapign trail. Boyda's opponent during the campaign is expected to be Jim Ryun. Paul Morrison, a candidate for Kansas Attorney General, visited Washburn Law on Thursday, March 30, 2006. Among the topics Morrison discussed was his courtroom experience, including prosecuting death penalty cases. Morrison's opponent during the campaign is expected to be Phill Kline. Learn more about his visit in the March 31, 2006 Topeka Capital-Journal (free registration required). (Posted April 7, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted Becky Norton Dunlop, Vice-President of The Heritage Foundation on March 28th, 2006. Her lunchtime presentation to more than 25 Washburn Law students was titled "Clearing the Air: Current Environmental and Natural Resources Challenges in the Context of Federalism." Mrs. Norton Dunlop maintains that the best environmental policy is one based on principles that can be applied to ever changing situations. She believes that one-size-fits-all solutions do not lend themselves to solving real environmental problems. (Posted April 5, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Frank J. Ross, Jr., Class of 1978, on Thursday, March 16, 2006. Mr. Ross, a partner with Polsinelli, Shalton, Welte and Suelthaus in Kansas City, presented "Serving a Corporate Client: What Does a Business Lawyer Do?" Mr. Ross discussed a number of different issues which arise in a lawyer/small-business client relationship. See the full story. (Posted March 27, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted University of Kansas School of Law Professor Stephen J. Ware on Thursday, March, 9 2006. Professor Ware spoke about a "A Radical Libertarian Approach to the Court System." He argued that a Libertarian philosophy is founded on the concepts of self ownership; property and contract; and that tort protects persons and their property from force and fraud. Ware noted that the toughest issues of education, health care, and drugs are very simple for libertarians and can be solved by privatization. He also argued that the court system can be further privatized by an increased use of arbitration which reduces the cost of litigation by streamlining discovery, pleading, and motion practice. Ware noted that arbitration can function as "[d]o-it-yourself Tort Reform" because it "converts supposedly mandatory rules into default rules." Throughout his presentation Professor Ware fielded questions from the more than 50 students and faculty in attendance. (Posted March 23, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted L. Dale Ward and J. Scott Pohl, both Class of 1990, on Thursday, March 9, 2006. The partners from the Hinkle Elkouri Law Firm L.L.C. in Wichita, Kansas entertained questions from those in attendance and provided a "real world" view of the practice of law as transactional lawyers. See the full story. (Posted March 14, 2006)
Byron Cerrillo, Class of 1984 and C. William "Bill" Ossmann, Class of 1977, served on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) Midwestern Regional Trial Advocacy Program, March 3-7, 2006 at Loyola University Chicago School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. The two Washburn graduates developed their skills as NITA advocacy teachers through training sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Advocacy. Both routinely serve on the faculty for the Washburn Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) and other trial advocacy classes. (Posted March 14, 2006)
Two Washburn University School of Law Trial Advocacy teams competed in the American Trial Lawyers Association Student Trial Advocacy Competition regionals March 2-5, 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri. Teams are judged on their skills in case preparation, opening statements, use of facts, the examination of lay and expert witnesses and closing arguments. See the full story. (Posted March 14, 2006)
The Real Estate Law Society hosted Daniel Crow, Class of 1993, on Thursday, March 9, 2006. Mr. Crow, a partner with the firm of Alderson, Alderson, Weiler, Conklin, Burghart, & Crow L.L.C., discussed "The Life and Times of a Real Estate Lawyer." He observed that an attorney practicing in the area of real estate must have a basic of knowledge in many areas, including contracts, tax, land use, environmental law, litigation, remedies, zoning, finance, etc. Mr. Crow emphasized how property ownership is one of the most highly cherished rights of Americans. Americans are extremely protective of their real property and it is important to remember this during real estate transactions. He also talked about the importance developing creative remedies in real estate disputes in an effort to avoid litigation. (Posted March 13, 2006)
The Washburn Law Moot Court team of Jessica Bryson, 3L, Kelly Kauffman, 2L, and Karen Quintelier, 2L, participated in the J. Braxton Craven Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition at the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill over the weekend of February 23-26, 2006. Two Fourth Amendment issues were argued: use of thermal image scanners to detect recently discharged firearms at a DUI roadblock and collection of DNA upon arrest for entry into a state or national databank. Among the 20 teams competing, the Washburn Law team finished as quarter-finalists, being eliminated by eventual finalist Boston College. In addition, Karen Quintelier was named Top Oralist for the entire competition. The team was coached by Teri Canfield-Eye, Class of 2002. (Posted March 6, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hosted United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Chief Judge Deanell Tacha on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. Judge Tacha was nominated by Ronald Reagan and has served as the Chief Judge of the Tenth Circuit since 2001. Judge Tacha spoke about "The Changes in the Courts and the Administration of Justice." The Judge pointed out that the country's citizenship and work force has changed during the past 20 years. Consequently, the judiciary has reacted with a more diverse bench where women and minorities are significantly represented. Judge Tacha also discussed other forces compelling courts to relocate and adjust to changes in environmental regulation, bankruptcy, and immigration. She expressed concern that judges' salaries have eroded compared to contemporaries in similar positions. This is troublesome given the significant financial sacrifice required by judges since fewer qualified individuals may be willing to serve in the judiciary. Judge Tacha's presentation generated a number of interesting questions from the more than 90 students and faculty attendance. (Posted March 3, 2006)
The Environmental Law Society at Washburn Law hosted a forum about "Career Paths in Environmental Law" on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Patricia Miller, Class of 1984 and Senior Assistant Regional Counsel with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional office in Kansas City and Yvonne Anderson, Class of 1986 and Director and Chief of Legal Services with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) spoke about their career paths, the day-to-day skills they use in their respective positions, and current trends in the practice of environmental law. Their presentations included advice to students about beginning a career in environmental law and a discussion on the importance of having skills in methods of alternative dispute resolution. Miller and Anderson also provided an interesting comparison between the KDHE and EPA regulations and how the agencies' efforts complement each another. Both speakers indicated that they did not foresee careers in environmental law after law school but have found their work in the public service sector to be challenging and rewarding. (Posted March 1, 2006)
The Black Law Student Association at Washburn Law commemorated Black History Month during February 2006 with a series of programs "Celebrating Black History." Speakers included Former Missouri State Senator Mary Groves Bland, Missouri 16th Judicial Circuit Associate Judge Gregory B. Gillis, Assistant Lyon County, Kansas Attorney Timothy Dupree, Dawn Nicole Patterson, and Johnson County Community College Professor of English Carmaletta Williams. In addition, the annual Poetry Slam was held on Valentine's Day. See the full story. (Posted March 1, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Robert Fox on Thursday, February 16, 2006. Mr. Fox, from the Topeka office of Foulson Siefkin LLP, spoke about public utility law. See the full story. (Posted February 20, 2006)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies at Washburn Law hosted Dr. Francis J. Beckwith, Associate Professor of Church-State Studies and Associate Director of the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University, on Thursday, February 9, 2006. Dr. Beckwith delivered a lecture titled "The Court of Disbelief: Why the 'Religious Motive' Test Violates Religious Liberty." Dr. Beckwith argued that courts applying the religious motive test should provide a distinction between motive and purpose. Over seventy students from Washburn Law were in attendance and Dr. Beckwith answered several interesting questions from the audience at the conclusion of his lecture. (Posted February 20, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society and the Tax and Estate Planning Association hosted Jonathan J. Martin, Class of 1999, on Thursday, February 9, 2006. Mr. Martin, from the Houston office of Baker & McKenzie LLP spoke about international taxation and planning opportunities associated therewith. See the full story. (Posted February 14, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted three members of Security Benefit Group's in-house counsel on Thursday, January 26, 2006. J. Michael Keefer, Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary; Amy J. Lee, Vice-President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary; and John Guyot, Vice-President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, spoke about the various aspects of practicing law as in-house counsel. See the full story. (Posted February 14, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Jeffrey Ellis, Class of 1977, on Thursday, January 19, 2006 to speak about health care law. Mr. Ellis, of Lathrop & Gage, focused his presentation on managing hospital and physician competition. See the full story. (Posted February 14, 2006)
John D. Kemp, Class of 1974, has been selected by a jury of his peers as the 2006 Henry B. Betts Award recipient, the most prestigious award within the national disability community. Mr. Kemp is a Principal in Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, P.C. He joins a select group of other awardees, all pioneers in the field of disability. See the full story. (Posted January 20, 2006)
Twenty-eight Washburn law students spent the first week in January 2006 learning how to represent children. The new multidisciplinary course involved psychologists who educated students about how to interview children; developmental stages of children; and how to find "best interests." The course included training in case management; cultural sensitivity; the use of experts; and ethical considerations. In addition, mediators trained students in the children's voice in mediation and how to keep parents focused on children. (Posted January 20, 2006)
Students starting at Washburn Law in January 2006 joined together to participate in a community service project at Topeka Salvation Army on Saturday, January 7, 2006. Twenty-three students, plus faculty and staff, worked during the morning throughout the building on projects such as sorting food items and creating food baskets, yard work and maintenance in the playground area, and general office work. See the full story, news reports from KSNT 27 and WIBW 13 (requires Windows Media Player), and a Topeka Capital-Journal article (may require registration). (Posted January 10, 2006)
