Students in the News

Whitney Casement, is the inaugural recipient of the Maxine S. Thompson Memorial scholarship awarded by the Kansas Bar Foundation. This new scholarship will be awarded each year to a law student attending Washburn University School of Law or the University of Kansas School of Law. "Whitney is a most worthy candidate to receive this award due to her outstanding scholarship and service to the community," said Kathy Kirk, Scholarship Committee chair. "We are honored to award her this scholarship." The criteria of the award include academic achievement and participation in community activities, as well as a bona fide intention to practice law in Kansas. Preference is given to those committing to practice in rural Kansas. Scholarship opportunities available to Washburn Law students can be viewed on the law school's Private Scholarship Information page.

The Washburn University School of Law Negotiation Competition Team of Jessica Stabler and Kevin Kemp took second place in the finals of the Region 8 ABA/LSD Negotiation Competition at SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas, in November. Their showing will earn them a spot at the national competition in February in New Orleans. "I was proud to have a couple of other coaches specifically comment that Washburn is one of the recognized competitive teams to work to try to beat in the ABA/LSD Negotiation competition now! Not that we intend to let that happen, however," Shawn Leisinger, executive director, Centers for Excellence, said.

Washburn University School of Law's Gay-Straight Legal Alliance (GSLA) donated $1,438.37 to the Lawrence/Topeka Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in memory of Jason Dockins during a program held at the law school on October 20, 2011. Funds were raised through donut and bake sales and a substantial donation was also received from the Topeka law firm of Palmer, Leatherman, White & Dalton.

Katelyn E. Weishaar, third-year student at Washburn University School of Law, was awarded the 2011 Medal of Excellence in Bankruptcy from the American Bankruptcy Institute, Alexandria, Virginia.

First-year law student Bryan Alkire and his experience at Washburn Law are profiled in the July 10, 2011 Topeka Capital-Journal article "Partially deaf, partially blind student studies law." Professor Lynette Petty, Assistant Dean for Accommodation, has commented that she is "proud of the attitude of the administration [at Washburn Law] in promoting the spirit and letter of the ADA" (Americans with Disabilities Act). Alkire, a native of Lexington, Missouri, was born partially paralyzed and with a severe hearing loss, and in 2003 started to lose his vision. He has always been interested in law school, noting that "I always loved to argue with people - so law school just seemed natural." Alkire considered quitting law school during his first week, but found that other new students in his study group "basically said that I wasn't going to quit on them and that ... the group would help me out. After that, they helped me get to places until I could learn the route to get there on my own." Alkire expects to graduate in 2013 and hopes to "to go into general practice serving disabled clients with whatever legal help they need, whether it's a dispute with their landlord, real estate transaction, drawing up a will or advocating for them in a discrimination case."

The National Order of Scribes is an honorary organization created by Scribes: The American Society of Legal Writers. It recognizes graduating law students who excel in legal writing. The following Washburn University School of Law students have been nominated and inducted for 2011: Abigail Boudewyns, Capt. Brian K. Carr, Carol Longenecker Schmidt, Charion Vaughn, Amanda Wilwert.

ReAnne Utemark Wentz and Robert Rojas were recognized for writing the Best Respondent Brief (314 KB PDF) at the 2011 Evan A. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition held at the University of Wisconsin Law School on March 25-27, 2011, in Madison, Wisconsin. The Evans competition honors United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Judge Evan A. Evans; he served from 1916 to 1948. This competition is one of the major moot court competitions, drawing teams from across the United States. Also arguing on behalf of Washburn Law during the competition were Madeline Rogers and Whitney Casement.

About 100 Washburn University School of Law students attended a special appearance by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Kansas, on Friday, January 28, 2011. Invitations to the event, "A dialogue with Justice Sotomayor," were limited to students and faculty at Washburn Law and the University of Kansas School of Law and area high school students. Because of high demand, officials set up an overflow location to accommodate interested students. Approximately 300 people were in attendance at the private event.

Kursten Phelps has been selected to receive the Raymond Spring Award for 2010. The award is given annually to the Washburn Law Clinic intern who has demonstrated the highest commitment to providing legal services to clients in need. Kursten will receive the award at the Kansas Association for Justice annual conference in Kansas City on Friday, December 3, 2010.

On August 19-20, over fifty attorneys, judges, mental health professionals and case managers met at Washburn University School of Law to participate in a two day domestic case management training workshop. Although case management is authorized by Kansas statute, each judicial district has adapted it to fit its needs. There are no uniform guidelines or standards for case managers. This workshop tried to bring together a "Best Practices" case management model that can be carried across jurisdictions. The "Best Practices" model is intended to protect the interests of children, to provide due process protections for parents, and to promote parental cooperation. If implemented, the model can lead to systemic improvements in service delivery to children and families.

Sharolyn Dugger, the executive director of Shawnee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), spoke to Washburn Law students and invited them to volunteer with CASA at the August 25, 2010 Lunch and Learn, which was sponsored by the Children and Family Law Center.

The International Law Society (ILS) at Washburn University School of Law has received the Most Improved Chapter for 2009 awarded by the International Law Students Association (ILSA). The annual ILSA awards recognize chapters that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote the study and understanding of international law. The ILS Chapter at Washburn Law was established in 2008 and provides opportunities for students to enhance their international law awareness. In 2009, the Washburn Law chapter increased from 4 to 44 members. Chapter highlights for 2009 include establishment of a Jessup Moot Court team; sponsoring a "Combating Human Trafficking" program; hosting a professor from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands to discuss career options for American students who wish to work abroad after law school; and working with the law school's Professional Development Office to enhance access to international law websites, internship opportunities, and placement in various international organizations. ILS also sponsored an International Film Night and hosted its first annual "International Wine and Cheese Event" at Washburn University's Mulvane Art Museum. In addition, members attended the ILSA Spring Conference, and, in October 2009, the New York International Law weekend. ILSA is a non-profit association of students and lawyers who are dedicated to the promotion of international law. The Association provides students with opportunities to study, research, and network in the international legal arena.

Jacqueline M. Blaesi-Freed, first year law student, has been recognized by the American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law as one of twenty 2010 Janet D. Steiger Fellows. The Fellowship Project provides law students the opportunity to work in the consumer protection and antitrust departments of state and territorial Offices of Attorneys General throughout the United States. The eight-week paid Fellowships were initiated in 2004 by the ABA Section of Antitrust Law, in cooperation with the National Association of Attorneys General ("NAAG"), as a consumer protection outreach initiative to introduce law students to the rewards of legal careers in public service. This Project is a tribute to the memory of the late Janet D. Steiger who, during her tenure as Federal Trade Commission Chairman, dramatically improved cooperation, communication, and coordination between state and federal consumer protection and antitrust enforcement agencies. Jacqueline, who will be serving in the Consumer Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney General's Office, commented that "I am grateful to the Steiger Fellowship and the Attorney General's office for this wonderful opportunity. I am excited to work for the people of Kansas."

The 12th annual John F. Kuether Memorial Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Washburn Student Bar Association, was held Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Lake Shawnee Golf Course in Topeka, Kansas. Twenty-four teams and 93 students, alumni, and friends of Washburn Law joined together for a round of golf, lunch, socializing, and awarding of prizes. Proceeds help to fund the John F. Kuether Memorial Endowed Scholarship which provides assistance to students at Washburn University School of Law.

On Thursday, March 25, Lee Hendricks discussed bankruptcy law and practice in a talk organized by the Business Law Students.

Washburn University School of Law student Courtney Archdekin, chair of the Barrister's Ball and Charity Auction, will present a donation of $5,000 in the name of Washburn Student Bar Association (WSBA) to Easter Seals Capper Foundation at 3:00 p.m. April 8, 2010, at Easter Seals Capper Foundation, 3500 SW 10th Ave., Topeka.

John Yeary, '95, Director of Labor Relations for the State of Kansas, Department of Administration, spoke at the February 18, 2010 Lunch and Learn session, sponsored by the Business and Transactional Law Center.

When Robert Fitzgerald moved to Topeka in 2009 to attend Washburn University School of Law he soon became friends with other area bicycle riders. An avid cyclist, Robert envisions the Topeka Community Cycle Project as a volunteer-run organization that would educate members of the community about bicycle maintenance and safety, as well as put bicycles in the hands of youths and people with limited means. TCCP's home at 423 S. Kansas Ave. is ideal for storing donated bicycles and provides ample room for maintenance and repairs. More than a dozen volunteers showed up January 17 clean the workshop. TCCP seeks donations from the community, including tools, building materials, and new and used bicycles. "Bikes are the number one donation we'll need," says Robert. "Don't throw away that old bike in your garage. Donate it to the TCCP so that someone will be able to use it." Robert hopes to have the workshop ready by late March or early April, in time for the first waves of spring weather. Robert and the project were also profiled by KTKA-TV 49 on May 23, 2010 in a Ben's People segment. To make a financial or in-kind donation, or otherwise assist with this project, see the TCCP Donate page.

Darryl Burton, a man exonerated after spending 24 years in a Missouri prison for a crime he did not commit, spoke to Washburn Law students on December 1. His presentation, hosted by the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, focused on how he was wrongfully convicted, how he survived in prison, how he was exonerated, and what he has done with his life since exoneration.

Moshe Yoel Malashock was a legal intern in the Washburn Small Business and Transactional Law Clinic during the spring 2009 semester. While in the Clinic, Yoel represented small businesses and nonprofit organizations who could not otherwise afford legal representation.

Danielle Sanger is the Summer/Fall 2009 recipient of the Irvine E. Ungerman Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice. This award was established to honor one of our outstanding alumni, Irvine E. Ungerman, '30, who practiced law in Tulsa, Oklahoma until he died in 1980. The award is given twice yearly to a student who has distinguished him/herself by providing highly competent representation to clients in a manner exemplifying the ideals of our profession and spirit of public service.

Washburn University School of Law's Business Law Society hosted Rick LeJuerrne, the Regional Director of the Washburn University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and adjunct faculty member at Washburn University where he teaches Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Law.

The Law Clinic at Washburn University School of Law was profiled in the October 25, 2009 issue of the Topeka-Capital Journal. The law clinic operates as a general practice law firm, with litigation (children and family law, criminal defense, state tribal court practice, and civil litigation), appellate, and transactional clinics. Daniel Heinz, a third year law student enrolled in clinic, describes his experience as "very eye-opening when it comes to what sorts of problems you're going to deal with on a day-to-day basis...[t]hese are real people who have real-life situations." The law clinic at Washburn was established in 1969, one of the first clinics founded in response to a growing shift in thought concerning legal education that students needed practical experience before becoming lawyers.

Burke Griggs, Counsel, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, spoke to Washburn Law students at a Lunch and Learn presentation on October 22, sponsored by the Business and Transactional Law Center.

Washburn University School of Law has been named an outstanding law school by The Princeton Review in the 2010 edition of its book The Best 172 Law Schools. The Princeton Review surveys students to create two-page profiles of the chosen schools with write-ups on their academics, student life and admissions, plus ratings for their academics, selectivity and career placement services. "We are honored to be included with the top law schools in the nation," said Dean Thomas J. Romig. "Washburn University School of Law provides our students with a high-quality legal education found in many of the best private law schools, but at a public law school price." Washburn University School of Law was founded in 1903 and has nearly 7,000 alumni. The school offers seven certificates of concentration and four signature programs, including the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, the Children and Family Law Center, the Business and Transactional Law Center, and the Center for Law and Government.

Washburn University School of Law is ranked 31st of all 200 law schools in the United States in "The National Jurist's Best Value Law Schools," September 2009. The schools on the list "carry a low price tag and are able to prepare their students incredibly well for today's competitive job market," according to The National Jurist. Schools ranked had low tuition, high employment after graduation, and bar passage rates above the state average.

The Benson Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity (PAD) at Washburn University School of Law has been recognized by the PAD International Executive Board as the Stanley H. Kohn Outstanding Law School Chapter for 2008-2009. Applications for the award are evaluated on programming, law school activities, financial strength of the chapter, and other categories. Benson chapter was selected from the more than 190 active PAD chapters. Kevin Mechtley, 2008-2009 Benson Chapter Justice, has also been recognized as the Alex Hotchkiss Outstanding Law School Chapter Justice. This award is based upon general leadership ability, administration of professional programs sponsored by the chapter, social programming, and chapter recruiting activities. Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International is a professional law fraternity advancing integrity, compassion and courage through service to the student, the school, the profession, and the community. Chapters share a common interest in the law and the core values of integrity, compassion, courage, professionalism, service, diversity, and innovation.

Governor Mark Parkinson has named Representative Josh Svaty as the Acting Secretary of Agriculture. Representative Svaty is also a second-year student at Washburn University School of Law. Svaty has represented the 108th District in Kansas since 2003. As a state legislator, he has served on the committees for Energy and Utilities, was the ranking member on Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and is on the Joint Committee on Energy and Environmental Policy. He has spoken nationally and has testified before the United States Congress on matters of energy, agriculture and water policy. "Farming is in Josh's blood – he's the fifth generation to farm in Ellsworth County," Parkinson said. The Svaty Farm is a diversified operation in the heart of the Smoky Hills that includes wheat, milo, soybeans, corn, sunflowers, a cow/calf heard and sheep. In addition to the press release below, more information about this appointment may be found at WIBW-TV and Topeka Capital Journal websites.

Proceeds from the Washburn Student Bar Association (WSBA) Barrister's Ball and Charity Auction were presented to Let's Help, Inc. on July 8, 2009. In a ceremony at Let's Help, Jodi Litfin, Barrister's Ball co-chair, gave Melissa Gray, Executive Director of Let's Help, a check for $6,252.73.