2005 News Index
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Angela McGuire and Bryan Stanley, both Class of 1999, on November 8, 2005 to speak about obtaining a position as in-house counsel. McGuire is Senior Corporate Counsel of Marketing and Contracts for H&R Block. Stanley is an intellectual property associate with Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal in Kansas City. See the full story. (Posted January 20, 2006)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Jeff Nourse, Class of 2000, Michael Sell, Class 1985, and Jeremy Southall, Class of 2002, on October 28, 2005. All three are currently in-house counsel for the Brook Corporation of Kansas City. They offered different perspectives on a career as a corporate attorney. See the full story. (Posted January 20, 2006)
Professor Nancy Maxwell was inducted as a member of the Beta Phi Chapter of Phi Beta Delta at Washburn University on Friday, December 2, 2005 during a ceremony at the International House on the Washburn University campus. Phi Beta Delta is the honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in internation education. Individuals selected to membership must have been at Washburn full time for a minimum of three years and have shown a strong commitment and have made a significant contribution to international education through scholarship, student service and advocacy. Professor Maxwell has written a number of articles in the areas of international or comparative law and organized and hosted several foreign visitors at the law school. She has also taught in the Washburn Law Summer Study Abroad Program, facilitated the move of Washburn's program from London to Utrecht University in The Netherlands and serves as the Director of International Legal Programs at Washburn Law. Other law school members of Phi Beta Delta are Professors Ronald Griffin, Ali Kahn and Linda Elrod. Former Washburn Law Professor John Kuether was also a member. (Posted December 9, 2005)
A $1 million gift from Norm Pozez, a 1980 graduate of Washburn University School of Law, will establish the Norman R. Pozez Chair in the Business and Transactional Law Center. The gift to Washburn Law was announced by Dr. Jerry Farley, president of Washburn University, and Dennis Honabach, dean of the law school, on behalf of Washburn Endowment Association and Washburn University on Wednesday, December 7, 2005. See the full story. (Posted December 8, 2005)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies at Washburn Law sponsored a debate about "Same Sex Marriage and the Federal Marriage Amendment" on Tuesday, November 8, 2005. Professor Lynn Wardle from Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School and Professor Linda Elrod from Washburn Law presented their arguments to more than one hundred and twenty students, faculty and staff. Professor Wardle's position stemmed from a belief that men and women are different in ways that make heterosexual marriage a unique institution that should be protected. Professor Elrod's position was that homosexual marriage should be permitted in part because the restriction of marriage to heterosexuals is a vestige of paternalism and gender hierarchy. Following the professor's presentations they took questions from the audience and responded to each other's answers. (Posted November 10, 2005)
Distinguished Professor Linda Elrod, Director of the Children and Family Law Center, was quoted in two national publications discussing a recent grandparent visitation case. In Harrold v. Collier (56 KB PDF) the Ohio Supreme Court upheld its grandparent visitation statute and allowed an eight year old, whose mother had died, to visit with the grandparents with whom she had lived over the objection of the father who now had custody. In an October 11, 2005 Associated Press article Elrod noted that courts around the country have looked to see if their grandparent visitation statutes gave sufficient deference to the wishes of parents. In the October 21, 2005 American Bar Association eReport Professor Elrod was quoted extensively on the factors used to determine the constitutionality of grandparent visitation statutes after the 2000 United States Supreme Court ruling in Troxel v. Granville. (Posted November 1, 2005)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies at Washburn Law hosted David Kopel, Research Director of the Independence Institute and Associate Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute, on Thursday, October 26, 2005. Kopol's presentation was based on a forthcoming article (465 KB PDF) that posits victims of genocide have a human right to resist and a basic right to arms. In both his article and presentation Kopel concludes that "under existing international law, genocide victims are not obliged to wait for foreign governments or world organizations to rescue them. According to normative principles of international law and according to positive international law, genocide victims have a fundamental human right to use armed force to resist genocide. Because the prohibition of genocide is a preemptory jus cogens norm of international law, any local, national, or international laws or government actions which interfere with self-defense by genocide victims are necessarily unlawful. In particular, arms control laws which may be generally valid may not be enforced against genocide victims or against persons who supply arms to genocide victims; enforcement would make the enforcing court or other state agency complicit in genocide." Kopel presentation was attended by more than fifty students and faculty and generated a number of questions at its conclusion. (Posted October 31, 2005)
Joletta Friesen, Roarke Gordon and Eric Pauly were among eight students recognized as J. L. Weigand Jr. Notre Dame Legal Education Trust scholarship recipients at an open house held at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center on Tuesday, October 18, 2005. Scholarships are for the 2005-2006 school year. See the full story. (Posted October 19, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted C. Todd Navrat, senior attorney at Hallmark Cards, Inc. and 1995 Washburn Law graduate, on Friday, October 14, 2005. Navrat spoke about confidential disclosure agreements (CDA). Confidential disclosure agreements protect companies' interests when dealing with third parties. Navrat advised students to favor unilateral or limited CDAs, as opposed to mutual CDAs where both parties are limited. He said that mutual agreements are easier to negotiate, but that they are not a good fit for the realities of business. Navrat outlined the elements of a CDA, including defining terms and exceptions and addressed communication with business people about CDAs. He recommended that in-house attorneys ask business people questions to make sure they are drafting the agreement to meet the company's needs. Navrat also told students that business people often need to be educated about how CDAs work. (Posted October 18, 2005)
The Christian Legal Society hosted Jeremy Moseley from Foulston Siefkin in Wichita, Kansas on Tuesday, October 4, 2005. Moseley spoke to more than 40 students about "Maintaining a Christian Perspective through Law School." Moseley's intellectually and spiritually challenging presentation addressed morality in the law and how law students can maintain a Christian perspective through active involvement in church and outreach opportunities. (Posted October 17, 2005)
The Hispanic American Law Student Association (HALSA) at Washburn University School of Law hosted Mira Mdivani, Attorney at Law, on Wednesday, October 12, 2005. Ms. Mdivani spoke about "Current U.S. Immigration Law and Policy." See the full story. (Posted October 14, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society and Tax and Estate Planning Association hosted Jason Stone, associate at Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday, October 7, 2005, to discuss transactional tax practice and his work as a transactional tax attorney. He advises individuals and businesses on tax and corporate matters during business-altering events, such as company formation, recapitalization, sales, and mergers and acquisitions. Stone said his work does not involve much controversy or litigation. He provided attendees with examples of how the structure of transactions can change tax treatment. Stone is a 2000 graduate of Washburn University School of Law. He also earned an LL.M. from New York University in 2001. (Posted October 13, 2005)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies at Washburn Law hosted Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow with the Cato Institute, on Thursday, October 6, 2005. Mr. Bandow spoke on the topic of "Globalization and Its Impact on Poverty Around the World." Bandow reviewed many of the arguments against Globalization and proceeded to discuss his view in opposition to those arguments. He believes that Globalization is generally positive because it provide the opportunity in poor developing countries to improve the standard of living. Mr. Bandow shared many anecdotes illustrating his belief that the poor in developing nations only make their children work when they have no other option. Mr. Bandow believes that there are many problems that must be considered in Globalization: regulation of labor safety; environmental concerns; and the role of government or military actions. (Posted October 12, 2005)
On Friday, October 7, 2005, Professor Brad Borden and third-year law students Craig Albers and Kevin Chambers presented "Tax and Legal Issues in Partner Formation" at the 42nd Annual Kansas Accountants Tax Conference in Topeka, Kansas. With about 70 area accountants in attendance, the panelists discussed legal issues that arise in choosing an entity that is taxed as a partnership. They also discussed the tax consequences of forming a partnership, contributing debt-encumbered property to a partnership, admitting service partners, and structuring property transactions in proximity to the formation of a partnership. (Posted October 10, 2005)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies at Washburn Law hosted Professor Stephen B. Presser, the Raoul Berger Professor of Legal History at Northwestern University School of Law, on Tuesday, Spetember 27, 2005. Professor Presser explored the topic "Are Judges Really like Umpires? Judicial Ideology and the State of the Court" with more than 70 students, faculty and staff. See the full story. (Posted October 3, 2005)
The Tax and Estate Planning Association hosted Charles Graves of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief Counsel's Office on Friday, September 23, 2005. A 1991 graduate of Washburn Law School, Mr. Graves has worked for fourteen years as a docket attorney representing the IRS, trying numerous cases before the Tax Court. During his presentation, Mr. Graves discussed the operation of the Chief Counsel's Office, specialty areas of tax practice and provided guidance about obtaining a position in the Office. See the full story. (Posted September 30, 2005)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosted Dan Lykins, Class of 1972, on Wednesday, September 21, 2005. Lykins spoke about trial preparation and the two main aspects of personal injury cases: choosing a jury and winning a case. See the full story. (Posted September 29, 2005)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosted Daniel E. Manville is the Fall 2005 Advocate in Residence. He is a Professor at the Constitutional Rights Clinic at Wayne State University. Over a 25 year legal career, Mr. Manville has worked tirelessly to improve conditions in American prisons. He co-authored "Prisoner's Self-Help Litigation Manual," which has helped countless prisoners protect their own rights. As a former prisoner himself, Mr. Manville has focused his work on using the legal system to remedy the deficiencies of the correctional system. See the full story. (Posted September 29, 2005)
The Children and Family Law Center sponsored the Washburn University School of Law's 18th Annual Family Law Institute on Friday, September 16, 2005. Two nationally recognized experts presented during the program. Professor Robert Spector, the Glenn Watson Centennial Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma, keynoted the program with a presentation on "The World of Marital Torts." Ann Haralambie, author of four books on representing children (and parents) explained the numerous tort actions available to children and discussed new proposals for lawyers who represent children. Several Washburn Law faculty also made presentations. Distinguished Professor Linda Elrod discussed "Balancing the Interests of Parents and Children in Relocation Cases." Professor Sheila Reynolds presented recent cases on lawyer malpractice and Professor Robert Rhee discussed the intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress in family matters. Family law students also had the opportunity to meet with both of the national speakers in small group sessions. (Posted September 23, 2005)
The Children and Family Law Center hosted Joanna Penn, Resource Development Director of CASA of Shawnee County, Inc. on Tuesday, September 6, 2005. Ms. Penn talked to law students who were interested in learning more about the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate (For Children)) program. A thirty hour training series must be completed in order to become a CASA volunteer. During Ms. Penn's presentation several law students expressed an interest in Saturday training sessions. CASA quickly responded by organizing an additional fall 2005 training series to accommodate interested students. Thirteen Washburn Law students have signed up for training so far. In addition to encouraging students to become CASA volunteers, the Children and Family Law Center provides training materials to students. To become a CASA volunteer in Shawnee County contact Joanna Penn at jpenn [at] cyfrc.com. (Posted September 22, 2005)
The Children and Family Law Center's Family Law Student Society hosted Tom Stratton and Bethany Roberts on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 as part of its brown-bag speaker series for students and faculty. Mr. Stratton discussed elder law issues, including the drafting of advanced directives and living wills. He also shared several stories about how the elderly can become victims of financial abuse. Bethany Roberts talked about grandparent's rights and grandparent adoptions/guardianships in Kansas. Both speakers are attorneys at the Kansas Legal Services Topeka office. Mr. Stratton is the managing attorney, working primarily in the area of elder law, and Ms. Roberts works primarily on domestic cases. (Posted September 21, 2005)
The Washburn Student Bar Association, in conjunction with a number of other student organizations at Washburn Law, held a car and dog wash on Saturday, September 17, 2005 to raise funds for relief of victims of hurricane Katrina. Proceeds from the car wash are being donated to the Red Cross. Proceeds from the dog wash are going to the PETCO Foundation's Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief, which is involved with the animal relief efforts in the affected region. The PETCO store in Topeka provided support for the event. Washburn Law faculty and staff have matched the funds raised by the students. (Posted September 21, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Beth Forwalder, Director of Employment Litigation and Counseling in the Sprint Nextel Legal Department, on September 16, 2005 to speak about an attorney's role as in-house counsel. Forwalder is a 1985 graduate of Washburn University School of Law. See the full story. (Posted September 19, 2005)
The Black Law Student Association at Washburn Law sponsored "Survival Series: Tips on How to Make Your Life Easier in Law School" from September 6-9, 2005. The series of introductory programs presented by Professors Alex Glashausser, Lyn Goering, Jeffrey Jackson and Nancy Maxwell was designed to help first year and other law students succeed and excel during their course of study. Professor Glashausser focused on case briefing and case reading, emphasizing that the process is more important than the product. He encouraged students to read all cases at least twice. An initial reading can be passive, but later readings should be active. Thinking and writing about a case helps the student learn much more because thought processes are engaged. While discussing organization and time management, Professor Goering explained that one of the most challenging tasks for a new law student is learning to balance the many competing demands of law school. To be successful, law students must be willing to set priorities and to carefully schedule their time to keep law school from consuming every waking hour. More importantly, law students must preserve sufficient time to spend with their loved ones and to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep, mental rejuvenation, and physical exercise. In his presentation about outline preparation, Professor Jackson observed how it is important to begin the outline process early in the semester and continue it throughout. In addition, it is vital for each student to prepare his or her own outline rather than relying on either a commercial outline or one created by another student. Professor Maxwell taught students test taking techniques. She presented a hypothetical essay exam question and covered the basics of the IRAC (issue, rule, application/analysis, conclusion) method for answering essay exam questions. Students were also provided with several inadequate exam answers that contained common errors in essay exam writing. These errors included the failure to use the facts, the mere restatement of the facts, juxtapositions of the law and the facts, and the failure to state inferences explicitly. Professor Maxwell contrasted the inadequate answers by reviewing a well-written answer to the hypothetical essay exam question. (Posted September 15, 2005)
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies sponsored a visit to Washburn Law by Professor Lino Graglia, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Texas at Austin, on Thursday, September 8, 2005. Professor Graglia, a recognized expert in Constitutional Law, shared remarks about the death of the Constitution by due process. Noting that the activism of the United States Supreme Court, when combined with much of the recent constitutional litigation, revolves around only four words in the Fourteenth Amendment -- "equal protection" and "due process" -- Professor Graglia observed the court should rarely find a law unconstitutional and often creates 'rights.' Washburn Law's Associate Dean and Constitutional Law professor Bill Rich reacted to Professor Graglia's remarks by commenting that the Court merely enacts the founders' intent-– protecting the minority in society from the tyranny of the majority. Dean Rich agreed that the Court can overstep its bounds, but argued that particularly a case such as Romer, it displayed an appropriate rationale being utilized by the justices. Following Dean Rich's comments, Professor Graglia fielded questions from the many students and professors attending the event. (Posted September 14, 2005)
Washburn University School of Law hosted five judges from Russia on Tuesday afternoon, August 2, 2005. The judges visited the United States and Topeka as part of an Open World Program. The program enables emerging Russian leaders to experience U.S. democracy and free enterprise. Participants also learn about the roles and interrelationships of the three different branches and levels of the U.S. government. The judges, Sergey Baranov, Aleksandr Borshch, Vadim Pavlov, Larisa Sudnyachenkova and Inessa Volkova, received an overview of the American legal education system from Professor Nancy Maxwell. After touring the Law Library and Law Clinic, the judges learned about the trial advocacy program at Washburn Law from Professor Aida Alaka and recent graduate Duston Slinkard. Anthony Hunter demonstrated the trial presentation technologies available in the Robinson Courtroom and Bianchino Technology Center. Other stops in Topeka included the Shawnee County District Court, a shopping trip at nearby stores, and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Read more about the judge's visit in the Wednesday, August 3, 2005, Topeka Capital-Journal (free registration may be required). (Posted August 7, 2005)
Professor Linda Elrod, Director of Washburn Law's Children and Family Law Center presented a paper on "The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA)" at the Sixth Annual Governor's Conference on Juvenile Justice on August 2, 2005. After giving an overview of the history of child protection in the United States, she discussed the specifics of ASFA. In particular, courts have been struggling with what constitutes "reasonable" efforts, when can the state dispense with attempts at reasonable efforts, what is the interrelationship of ASFA with the Indian Child Welfare Act, what are sufficient reasons for termination of parental rights, and how to move children into permanent placements quickly. Professor Elrod also presented two speeches at the Council of Appellate Staff Attorneys Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas on July 29 and 30, 2005. Her talk "Current Update in Family Law" discussed the current state of "marriage" in Western societies. In "They Won't Stay Put - Relocation of Children With Parents," Professor Elrod explored the various different, and sometimes conflicting, ways that trial and appellate courts across the country are handling relocation cases. (Posted August 7, 2005)
Children and Family Law Center Director Professor Linda Elrod presented a paper on "Balancing the Constitutional Interests of Parents and Their Children in Relocation Cases" at the International Society of Family Law World Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 19-23. Professor Elrod also moderated a panel of academics on "Custody Standards." 174 attendees from 38 countries participated in the five day conference. (Posted July 25, 2005)
Washburn Law is pleased to welcome Kelly Lynn Anders as Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Dean Anders has a broad range of administration, teaching, counseling, scholarship, organization, service and public affairs experience in the academic, corporate, government and nonprofit sectors. Dean Anders notes that "For more than a century, Washburn University School of Law has been a vibrant and progressive community that encourages collegiality and promotes excellence. I am delighted to serve as Associate Dean for Student Affairs because it provides opportunities to work with students, faculty, administration, and the community while also contributing to the law school's wonderful tradition." Most recently, she served as a Reference Librarian at McGeorge School of Law. Her most recent article, "My Turn at the Right Time: Happy Coincidence Leads to Unique Display, Positive Learning Experience" appears in the July 2005 issue of AALL Spectrum (381 KB PDF; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). Dean Anders received her B.A. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her J.D. and a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. (Posted July 5, 2005)
Professor Linda Elrod, Director of Washburn Law's Children and Family Law Center, taught at Hofstra Law School as part of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) faculty for a program on "Training the Lawyer to Represent the Whole Child" from June 13-June 18, 2005. Forty-eight lawyers and seven law students worked on a case study involving a child in need of care and juvenile offender. In addition to developing skills in direct and cross examination of social workers, child psychologists and others, the program included a mediation of the dependency case and a motion to suppress a confession. (Posted July 5, 2005)
Washburn Law Clinic was named recipient of the Liberty Bell Award by the Topeka Bar Association on May 6, 2005. The award recognizes the Law Clinic's commitment to the community and the quality work performed by Clinic interns. It is granted for promoting better understanding of the Constitution, encouraging respect within the legal system and providing valuable legal service to the Topeka community. Director of the Clinic and Professor John Francis accepted the award on behalf of the Clinic at a May 6th luncheon. In accepting the award, Professor Francis credited the dedication of the student interns and the support staff as the primary ingredient in the high quality of legal work conducted by the Clinic. (Posted July 1, 2005)
Thirty-four prosecutors, public defenders, and agency lawyers from across Kansas attended an intensive trial advocacy continuing legal education program at Washburn Law from June 3-5, 2005. The attorneys participated in workshops and attended lectures designed to improve their courtroom skills. After two days of practice, participants put their training to use with a three-hour mock trial at the Shawnee County Courthouse. National Institute for Trial Advocacy instructors Honorable Jeanne Jourdan, an adjunct professor at Notre Dame Law School, and Michael Washington, with the public defender's office in San Diego, California, shared their expertise with attendees. Similar programs are being planned for September and October 2005. (Posted June 20, 2005)
Dallas Bauer, co-director of the Family Law Student Society for the 2005-2006 academic year, has been appointed to be the Law Student Division Liaison to the American Bar Association (ABA) Steering Committee on the Unmet Legal Needs of Children. Her term begins in August 2005. The Steering Committee's primary role is to encourage, facilitate, and coordinate activities on behalf of children by ABA entities, state and local bar associations and their members, while promoting outreach by the organized bar to government officials and policy makers at all levels in order to address the ongoing problems children. (Posted June 6, 2005)
Brandi Studer and Sabrina Sullivan recently attended the National Legal Aid and Defender Association’s Life in the Balance conference. NLADA’s conference brings together mitigation specialists, defense investigators, and capital defense attorneys from around the nation to improve their skills and techniques in all aspects of death penalty defense. The seminars offered the latest medical and psychiatric developments in capital cases, the most recent developments in the law, and a wide range of creative trial strategies and tactics. The conference also offered several "discuss your own case" seminars, in which Brandi and Sabrina participated in brainstorming problems and issues in real cases, with some of the leading death penalty specialists in the country. Brandi and Sabrina were also given an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with attorneys and mitigation specialists from around the nation. Brandi Studer (December 2005) and Sabrina Sullivan (May 2006) currently have internships at the Public Interest Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, under the Executive Director, Sean O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien was Washburn Law's 2005 Advocate in Residence. (Posted May 20, 2005)
The Barristers' Ball Committee is pleased to announce that Dallas Bauer is the recipient of the 2005 Public Interest Externship. Dallas currently serves on the Shawnee County Community Corrections Advisory Board and the Topeka YMCA Downtown Advisory Board. She is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children (CASA), and a part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters 'Mentor a Scholar' Program. Dallas will be working with attorney Kevin Cook, assisting with child in need of care cases in Shawnee County, Kansas. Funds for this externship were raised at the October 2004 Barristers' Ball and Charity Auction (see March 31, 2005 story below). (Posted May 4, 2005)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosted Cheryl Pilate on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at a Lunch and Lecture program. Ms. Pilate spoke about "Technological Marvels: Modern Methods to Get The Most Out of Physical Evidence in Criminal Defense." Her talk focused on using forensic tape enhancement and evidence photography at trial. Following her presentation, Ms. Pilate joined six students and Professor Michael Kaye at a lunch that included discussion of a case involving her client, Ellen Reasonover, who was released from prison in 2000 for lack of evidence after serving 16 years of a life sentence for murder. Ms. Pilate is a 1990 University of Kansas School of Law graduate and is a criminal defense attorney with Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian, PC in Kansas City, Missouri. (Posted April 18, 2005)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosted Richmond Enochs, Class of 1963, and Dr. Ronald Wells on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at a Luncheon and Lecture presentation titled, "Using Expert Testimony: Accident Reconstruction in a Personal Injury Case." The speakers gave a demonstration of using an expert witness to communicate complex technical information at trial. Mr. Enochs is a senior partner with Wallace, Saunders and has represented product manufacturers, construction industry firms, and professionals in products liability cases, trademark/copyright disputes, and general liability claims. Dr. Wells is a metallurgist and specialist on accident reconstruction who has served as an expert witness in several trials with Mr. Enochs. (Posted April 18, 2005)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosted Craig Shultz, Class of 1978, as part of its Lunch and Lecture series on Thursday, March 31, 2005. Mr. Shultz discussed 'Picking a Jury: Using Voir Dire to Prepare the Jury in a Personal Injury Case.' While no trial lawyer can really 'pick' a jury, voir dire can be an effective forum in which to introduce jurors to your client's arguments. Mr. Shultz demonstrated his technique for doing so by questioning students as he would a prospective jury. (Posted April 15, 2005)
Washburn Law students were recognized at the Twelfth Annual Awards Banquet for Washburn Law Journal, Moot Court Council, Trial Advocacy, and Family Law Quarterly. See the full story. (Posted April 15, 2005)
The Washburn University School of Law Trial Advocacy Team of William Burris, Brette Hart, Nicholas Purifoy, and Thomas Trunnell finished as a semi-finalist at the 2005 Association of Trial Lawyers of America National Student Trial Advocacy Finals Competition (ATLA STAC) held in West Palm Beach, Florida, from April 7-10, 2005. In finishing as one of the top four trial advocacy teams in the nation the Washburn Law team received great respect and praise from the tournament coordinators, local attorneys and judges, and other competitors and their coaches. See the full story. (Posted April 14, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Michael Miller, Class of 1991 (pictured on the right), and Chris Conroy, Class of 1988, at a lunch to discuss MBA programs on Friday, April, 8, 2005. Both work for AmerUs Annuity Group in Topeka. Miller is Executive Vice President and General Counsel and Conroy is Vice President and Assistant Counsel. See the full story. (Posted April 14, 2005)
The Washburn University School of Law Evans Moot Court team, comprised of second year law students Michelle Moe and Alex Judd, competed in the 2005 Evan A. Evans Constitutional Moot Court Competition at the University of Wisconsin Law School from April 8-10, 2005. Following preliminary rounds against two teams from William & Mary and a team from Loyola, Washburn advanced to the "Sweet Sixteen" round, where they faced off against eventual tournament champion Toledo. (Posted April 14, 2005)
Several Washburn Law students received Study Abroad Scholarships awarded by Washburn University International Programs at a recognition ceremony on Monday, April 11, 2005. Shown left-to-right are James Orth, Mitchell Horst, Blake Reitz, Andrea Bruns, Linda Eng, Dustin VanDyk and Robert Johnson. Also receiving scholarships, but unable to attend the ceremony, are Jenoise Callahan, Onyi Ekwegbalu, Wayne French, Sheri Siemens and Sabrina Sullivan. All of these students received scholarships to attend Washburn Law's 2005 Utrecht Summer Study Abroad Program, except Linda Eng and Jenoise Callahan who will be attending study abroad programs in China sponsored by other schools. (Posted April 12, 2005)
Professor Barbara Glesner Fines from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Law School joined the Washburn Faculty on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 for a two hour discussion of developing academic support programs. Professor Fines was a founding member and is a past President of the Association of American Law Schools Section on Academic Support. Currently she hosts the web site for that Section and is the President of the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI). A nationally recognized expert on issues of legal education and teaching, Professor Fines also teaches Professional Responsibility, Family Law, Remedies, and a Seminar in Family Violence. (Posted April 8, 2005)
Washburn University held its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony Wednesday, April 6, 2005. A number of Washburn Law employees received awards. Donna Haverkamp was recognized with an Outstanding Secretarial/Clerical Service Award. Louisa Rodriguez (Secretary, 5 years), Dee Barker (Library, 5 years), Donna Vilander (Continuing Legal Education, 10 years), Mary Beth Bero (Secretary, 10 years), Kerri Pelton (Clinic, 20 years), Rachel Olson (Clinic, 20 years) and John Bostwick (Library, 25 years) received Classified and Administrative Length of Service Awards. Michael Kaye was recognized with a Faculty 25-Years of Service Award. Loretta Moore, who will be retiring following the Spring 2005 semester, was awarded Emeritus status. (Posted April 6, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Peter Vanderwarker on Monday, March 28, 2005. Mr. Vanderwarker, Class of 1998 and currently in-house attorney for Sprint, spoke to students about pre-litigation disputes and negotiations. See the full story. (Posted April 4, 2005)
Washburn Law students presented the Topeka YMCA Safe Visit Program with a check for $5,000 on Wednesday, March 30, 2005. The funds were raised at the October 2004 Barristers' Ball and Charity Auction. Safe Visit provides support services for families going through divorce, separation or similar situations by providing a safe, comfortable atmosphere for children to have contact with each parent. Connie Sanchez and Jenny Shaw accepted the check on behalf of Safe Visit. The Committee also donated $500.00 each to the Stormy Shirk Foundation and the Mark Duncan Foundation. Both foundations help to care for loved ones of the Washburn Law community. Additional funds raised by the Barristers' Ball provide a scholarship for one law student to complete a public interest externship. Local businesses, faculty, and students donate time and funds to organize and hold the annual Ball and Auction. The 2004 event was co-chaired by Megan Edwards Walawender and Pam Mzembe. Watch WIBW 13 News (42 seconds) and KSNT 27 News (39 seconds) reports of this event (both require Windows Media Player) (Posted March 31, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Bill Bunten on Tuesday, March 15, 2005. He spoke to students about legal opportunities in banking. See the full story. (Posted March 25, 2005)
The Children and Family Law Center hosted Molly Wood at a luncheon on Monday, March 14, 2005 where she spoke about elder law. Elder law encompasses not only the care of elderly persons once they are unable to live at home, but also estate planning, long-term financing (Medicare, Medicaid, and division of assets), and guardianships and conservatorships (for adults who are no longer competent). In addition, Ms. Wood discussed elder law issues that can involve younger couples, particularly those where one of the parties has a terminal illness. Molly Wood has a private practice in Lawrence and also teaches in the Elder Law Clinic at the University of Kansas. (Posted March 25, 2005)
The Washburn Law Women's Intramural Basketball Team, the "Lunachicks," won the single-elimination Rock Chalk Classic Regional Intramural Tournament held March 19-20, 2005 at the University of Kansas in Lawrence as the Washburn University representative. The team qualified for the National Intramural Basketball Championship Tournament held at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta from April 15-17. Team members are (left to right): Kara Crawford (Captain, All Tournament Team Honors), DeLayne Kracht, Shannon Charbonneau, Camille Johnston, Traci Doering, Morgan O'Hara (MVP Honors), Jenna Tinkel, Meaghan Dalton (not pictured) and Melissa Moodie (not pictured). (Posted March 22, 2005)
The Environmental Law Society hosted an Ogallala Aquifer Symposium on Wednesday, March 16, 2005. Participating in the Symposium were Susan Stover from the Kansas Water Office, Rex Buchanan from the Kansas Geological Survey, and Professor James Wadley. See the full story. (Posted March 18, 2005)
Phi Alpha Delta and the Washburn Law Career Services Office hosted Kurt Reinke, Vice President of Operations for Dale Carnegie Institute of Kansas City, on Thursday, March 10, 2005. During his presentation, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," Reinke discussed techniques students can use to begin coversations at networking functions. He also shared a memory technique that helped students memorize and retain the first 9 human relations skills of the Dale Carnegie course. (Posted March 15, 2005)
Professor Erwin Chemerinsky, Duke University School of Law, presented the 27th Annual Foulston Siefkin Lecture on Friday, March 4, 2005. Professor Chemerinsky's lecture was entitled "Civil Liberties and the War on Terror." See the full story. (Posted March 15, 2004)
Equal Justice Works hosted Vern Norwood, from the Kansas Department on Aging, and Tom Stratton, from the Kansas Legal Services Topeka office, on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 in an elder law forum to discuss issues beyond estate planning. Ms. Norwood reviewed programs available to seniors under the Older Americans Act and discussed mechanisms to direct them to appropriate resources. Mr. Stratton reviewed topics such as division of assets, wills, and guardianship issues. Both speakers emphasized the need for everyone, and not just seniors, to have a durable power of attorney. (Posted March 9, 2005)
Professor Alex Glashausser spoke to a group of undergraduate students visiting from Washburn's sister school in Japan, Fukuoka University, on Tuesday, March 8, 2005. Glashausser's talk was entitled "Tort Law and Safety." He and the students shared their perspectives on the role of tort law in ensuring public safety both here and in Japan. Glashausser also discussed differences in legal education and bar exams between the United States and Japan and demonstrated the EduTek Classroom Performance System available for use at Washburn Law. (Posted March 9, 2005)
Laura Shaneyfelt and Rachael Pirner spoke with students at a special Children and Family Law Center luncheon on Monday, March 7, 2005. Their talk centered on surrogacy and the many issues that arise during a surrogacy relationship. Surrogacy can be a much more successful alternative to adoption. There is a lower chance of one party backing out, because parties are involved with each other from the very beginning of the process. See the full story. (Posted March 8, 2005)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy and Washburn University hosts Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana Professor Tawia Modibo Ocran from March 27 through April 2, 2005. During his visit Justice Ocran will lecture in a number of Washburn Law classes. Two public lectures are also planned. See the full story. (Posted March 2, 2005)
Children and Family Law Center Director Professor Linda Elrod was one of twenty-nine participants at a Family Law Education Reform Project Conference at Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 5, 2005. The conference included academics, judges, lawyers, mental health professionals as well as alternate dispute resolution professionals. Attendees focused on how to train lawyers in all of the subject areas necessary to practice family law in addition to traditional advocacy and litigation skills, including the emotional stages of divorce, child development, alternative ways of resolving disputes, collaborative law. Professor Elrod also facilitated one of the four discussion groups during the work sessions. (Posted March 7, 2005)
Veteran's Legal Association of Washburn (VLAW) sponsored a volunteer day at the Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Friday, March 4, 2005. Participants worked in the hospital's patient library, pulling from shelves, sorting, and weeding books, scanning barcodes to add records to a computerized cataloging system, and re-organizing and re-shelving materials. Participants during the day included Washburn Law students Kelly McDonald, Andrea Bruns, and Dianne Rosell, Washburn undergraduate student Heather Price, Professor David Pierce, and Leigh Ives from the Law Library. More than 645 books were cataloged, organized, and re-shelved. "I can't wait for patients to see the shelves and use our new computer system. It feels like a new library," said Peggi Gray, Director of Voluntary Services at the medical center. (Posted March 7, 2005)
Adjunct Professor Bill Ebert, family law attorney and Supreme Court certified mediator, hosted a panel of guests that discussed the uses of mediation and family law practice in his Tuesday, March 1, 2005 Mediation class. Visitors to the class were Larry Rute, principal with Associates in Dispute Resolution, and Hearing Officer Lori Yockers, the Honorable Evelyn Zabel Wilson, and the Honorable Jean Schmidt, all of the Third Judicial District in Kansas. (Posted March 4, 2005)
Professor Robert Rhee talked about "Global Terrorism and the International Insurance Market: The Securitization of Catastrophic Risk" at a Brown Bag/Phi Beta Delta International Lecture on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at the Washburn University International House. Rhee's presentation discussed how the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 changed the American economy and the global insurance market. He observed that the insurance industry can no longer cover terrorism risk for 'free' and explored how the government can foster a regulatory and tax environment in which the private sector can develop a capital market solution for terrorism risk through securitization. Rhee's article on the same topic is forthcoming in the Arizona State Law Journal. (Posted March 2, 2005)
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosted Scott Logan on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 as part of its Spring 2005 Luncheon and Lecture Series. Logan, a medical malpractice defense lawyer from Prairie Village, Kansas, discussed ways to use demonstrative evidence to present complex expert medical testimony and evidence so that a jury will remain focused and be better able to understand the evidence offered. See the full story. (Posted April 14, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Becky Sanders on Monday, February 21, 2005. She spoke about the unemployment compensation system in Kansas. See the full story. (Posted March 2, 2005)
Washburn University School of Law, in cooperation with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), sponsored a Minority High School Moot Court Program, Friday, February 25, 2005 at the Kansas Judicial Center. LSAC has designated February as National Minority Recruitment Month, creating an opportunity to increase outreach to minority students in high school. Minority students from Topeka area high schools learned about the legal system first hand by participating in a series of oral arguments regarding a fictional constitutional law case. Two-person teams of students studied cases that helped them argue whether a school district violated the First Amendment when it expelled a student who refused to remove information, including racial slurs directed at a teacher, from a web site created off campus and whether the school's Anti-Harassment policy is unconstitutionally vague. The high school students worked with Washburn Law student coaches to use the cases and the Constitution to develop their presentations. Arguments were held in the Kansas Supreme Court Courtroom and heard by a panel of seven judges, including The Honorable Henry W. Green, Jr., from the Kansas Court of Appeals. (Posted March 1, 2005)
Dr. Bud Dale, a clinical psychologist who trained at Harvard Medical School and the Menninger Foundation, met with family law students over lunch on February 28, 2005 to discuss the use of child custody evaluations in contested custody cases. See the full story. (Posted February 28, 2005)
The Family Law Student Society hosted Sarah Sargent and Shirlon Douglas-Harris from Kansas Children's Service League (KCSL) on Monday, Febuary 28, 2005. They spoke with students about interracial adoption. See the full story. (Posted February 28, 2005)
Two students from the Center for Excellence in Advocacy recently attended training sessions at Verdict Systems in Tempe, Arizona. In early February 2005 William Burtis and Tony Hunter spent three days in an intensive training program learning how to effectively use Verdict's latest trial presentation software, Sanction II, in the courtroom. Sanction II software will be utilized as part of a new Trial Presentation Seminar at Washburn Law this summer. The Center will also train students in its use during lunchtime presentations. See the Verdict Systems web site for more information about Sanction II. (Posted February 22, 2005)
Students enrolled in Professor Nancy Maxwell's spring 2005 Family Law Seminar are having the opportunity to learn about family law from the diverse personal lives of members of the law school faculty. See the full story. (Posted February 18, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Bill Ekey on Monday, February 7, 2005. He spoke about being a trust officer and corporate trusts. See the full story. (Posted February 18, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Patrick Doran on Monday, February 7, 2005. He spoke about the Federal Home Loan Banks process of registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See the full story. (Posted February 18, 2005)
On February 8, 2005, Justice Robert E. Davis, Associate Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, honored Washburn University School of Law by
addressing first-year law students on the art and skill of appellate advocacy. Justice Davis was appointed in 1993 to the Kansas Supreme Court after serving for several years as a member of the Kansas Court of Appeals. Washburn's own Jeffrey Jackson, Visiting Professor of Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing, formerly worked as Justice Davis' research attorney. Students enrolled in Washburn's first-year legal analysis, research, and writing program benefit from the law school's close proximity to the Kansas Judicial Center, where both the Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals regularly hear oral arguments. Listen to Justice Davis' talk (1 hour, 33 minutes) (requires 
) (Posted February 16, 2005)
Trial advocacy teams from Washburn University School of Law finished first and second at the 2005 American Trial Lawyers Association Student Trial Advocacy Regional Competition (ATLA STAC) held February 11-12, 2005 at Denver, Colorado. Sixteen teams from ten law schools competed in the Denver regional. Washburn's first place team of Bill Burris, Brette Hart, Nick Purifoy, and Tom Trunnell qualifies for the national competition and will compete April 7-10, 2005, in the Final Competition at West Palm Beach, Florida against the thirteen other regional winners. See the full story. (Posted February 14, 2005)
Professor David Ryan was honored Friday, February 4, 2005, by the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority when The David Ryan Operating Facility at 201 North Kansas Avenue was unveiled. In the early 1970s Ryan chaired a committee that studied the feasibility of purchasing an existing commercial transit provider that was failing. Beginning in 1973, Ryan served as the first chair of the transit board. At the end of his term, Ryan became general counsel for the authority and held this position until 2004. Read more about this event in the Saturday, February 5, 2005, Topeka Capital-Journal (free registration may be required). (Photo by Ann Williamson of the Capital-Journal.) (Posted February 7, 2005)
The Federalist Society recently hosted two speakers. Professor Carl H. Esbeck spoke about "Church State Relations in America: What's at Stake and What's Not" on Monday, January 27, 2005. Esbeck is the Isabelle Wade and Paul C. Lyda Professor of Law at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. Professor Nelson Lund visited Washburn Law on Tuesday, February 1, 2005, and spoke on "Lawrence v. Texas: The Worst Supreme Court Opinion Ever?" Lund is the Patrick Henry Professor of Constitutional Law and 2nd Amendment at George Mason University School of Law. (Posted February 7, 2005)
The Washburn Business Law Society hosted Brian Burris on Monday, January 24, 2005. He spoke about the role of a business lawyer and negotiation techniques. See the full story. (Posted February 7, 2005)
Washburn Law welcomed 26 new students as part of its 2005 January Entry Program. During their first week at Washburn these students attended Property class and small study groups, met with various law school and university personnel to become better acclimated to life at Washburn Law, and were hosted by one of the law professors for a reception. On Saturday, January 8, 2005, the new students participated in their community service project by assisting Let's Help and Heartland Share with a move from their old facility to a new facility. (Posted February 7, 2005)
Washburn University School of Law is pleased to announce Stephanie R. Nall as recipient of the 2004 Judge J. Richard Foth Writing Award. The Foth Award is given annually to the student who writes the best brief in the first year Legal Analysis, Research & Writing Seminars. The professors in each of the Legal Analysis, Research & Writing Seminars select the top paper in their class. The top papers are then read by a committee of two law professors and one practicing attorney or judge. Ms. Nall is in Professor Lyn Goering's class. (Posted February 7, 2005)
Approximately 40 students attended Washburn Law's second Intensive Trial Advocacy Program from January 4-9, 2005. During this intensive training session students learned the skills of the trial lawyer from a group of law faculty, lawyers, and judges. Based on the National Institute for Trial Advocacy's educational philosophy of 'learning by doing' students attended lectures, practiced trial skills in small groups under the guidance of experienced trial lawyer instructors, and reviewed videotapes of their skills performances. The week culminated in students applying their new skills before state and U.S. District Court judges in jury trials set at the Shawnee County Courthouse. (Posted February 7, 2005)
