Kelly Keane and Amy Jurgensmeier Are Spring 2003 Recipients of Irvine E. Ungerman Award For Excellence in Clinical Practice
Kelly Keane
by Sheila Reynolds
Kelly Keane continues the tradition of excellence recognized by the Ungerman Award. Because Kelly's interest is practicing family law, she handled family law cases as an intern in the Spring semester of 2003. She represented four clients: a woman in adopting her three young grandchildren; a woman in obtaining a custody order; a woman in establishing paternity, obtaining child support and custody; and a woman with two children seeking a divorce from a common law marriage. The last case went to trial on every issue, requiring a full day in court and producing a decision in the client's favor on all issues but one. Kelly spent many hours preparing that trial and did an excellent job. In all of her cases, Kelly demonstrated sincere concern for the interests of her clients, independently assessed what needed to be done, and performed the legal tasks well in an unusually prompt manner. Kelly is always professional, has a delightful sense of humor, is well liked by fellow students, and manages to perform at a superior level while raising two young children as a single parent.
Amy Jurgensmeier
by John Francis
Amy was selected due to her extreme devotion to her clinical work, demonstrated in part through the hours she logged on her cases in criminal matters.. While Amy was required to perform 200 hours of Clinic work, she actually completely approximately 350 hours. Far more significant than the amount of time devoted to Clinic work, Ms Jurgensmeier demonstrated excellence in the quality of her work. During the semester, Amy conducted one bench trial in Municipal Court and one jury trial in District Court. In the jury trial, Amy persuaded the trial judge to permit expert testimony regarding an extension of the battered woman defense not previously recognized in Kansas. Later in the semester, Ms. Jurgensmeier prepare to conduct yet another jury trial, which ultimately reached a negotiated resolution on the day of trial. Through her in-court and out-of-court work. Amy demonstrated insight, dedication and skill on behalf of her clients and in her role as an advocate.
