Washburn Law Alumni Admitted to Bar of U.S. Supreme Court
Washburn University School of Law hosted its third biennial United States Supreme Court admissions ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 28, 2008. Twenty-nine Washburn Law alumni and two professors were admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court in a swearing-in ceremony at 10:00 a.m. The alumni represented 11 states, with graduation years from 1956-2004. The two professors were Myrl Duncan, professor of law; and William Merkel, associate professor of law.
Hosting the alumni group in Washington D.C. were Thomas Romig, Dean of Washburn University School of Law; Carolyn Barnes, director of alumni services; Martin Ahrens, Washburn Endowment Association; Joel Lauer, Washburn Endowment Association; and Steve Cavanaugh, Topeka, President-Elect of the Washburn University School of Law Alumni Association.
"This is a very special event which I think you will find to be one of the highlights of your legal career," said Dean Romig. "I am honored to move your admission to the Court."
To qualify for admission to the bar of the United States Supreme Court, an applicant must have been admitted to practice in the highest court of a State, Commonwealth, Territory or Possession, or the District of Columbia for a period of at least three years immediately before the date of application; must not have been the subject of any adverse disciplinary action pronounced or in effect during that three-year period; and must appear to the Court to be of good moral and professional character.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the group attended a luncheon at the historic Army and Navy Club with guest speaker William K. Suter, Clerk of the United States Supreme Court. After the luncheon, participants took a tour of the Pentagon. In addition to the Monday events, a reception was held Sunday evening for the participants, their families and D.C. metro area alumni.
Washburn Law alumni and professors admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court on April 28, 2008:
- The Hon. James G. Beasley, Class of 1966 (Wichita, Kansas)
- Gerald Bender, Class of 1990 (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
- Bill D. Berkley, Class of 1975 (Downs, Kansas)
- Brandon J. Berkley, Class of 2003 (Greenwood Village, Colorado)
- Paul D. Berkley, Class of 1956 (Downs, Kansas)
- Mark V. Bodine, Class of 1987 (Shawnee, Kansas)
- Richard Bracken, Class of 1999 (Redlands, California)
- Anne Michelle Canter, Class of 1992 (Norcross, Georgia)
- Craig E. Collins, Class of 1987 (Topeka, Kansas)
- Alexander R. Cordier, Class of 1998 (Rockville, Maryland)
- Mariana C. Cordier, Class of 1997 (Rockville, Maryland)
- Timothy W. Daniel, Class of 1988 (Drumright, Oklahoma)
- John Michael Duma, Class of 1981 (Kansas City, Kansas)
- Prof. Myrl Duncan
- Charles T. Engel, Class of 1985 (Topeka, Kansas)
- Stephen C. Funk, Class of 1977 (Wichita, Kansas)
- Carlene J. Griffith, Class of 1993 (Riverwoods, Illinois)
- John Hamilton, Class of 1965 (Topeka, Kansas)
- Nazar Khan, Class of 2004 (Brooklyn, New York)
- Michael L. Leyba III, Class of 1993 (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
- Lynn McCreary, Class of 1994 (Kansas City, Missouri)
- Prof. William George Merkel
- Cynthia O'Conner, Class of 1995 (Falls Church, Virginia)
- Tonya O'Hern, Class of 1992 (Wheaton, Illinois)
- Zackery E. Reynolds, Class of 1982 (Ft. Scott, Kansas)
- The Hon. Robb Walter Rumsey, Class of 1986 (Wichita, Kansas)
- Douglas Brian Salsbury, Class of 1979 (Eureka, Missouri)
- Susan Carmona Salsbury, Class of 1979 (Chesterfield, Missouri)
- Ronald Scott Seifert, Class of 1992 (Addison, Texas)
- Bruce Wasinger, Class of 1977 (Austin, Texas)
- Calvin K. Williams, Class of 1978 (Colby, Kansas)
Posted May 7, 2008
