Faculty/Staff Profile
Shawn Leisinger is the Associate Dean for Centers and External Programs. Working with the directors of the Centers for Excellence he oversees development of Center programs and events that are held throughout the year. He also coordinates all continuing legal education programs sponsored by Washburn Law and other special events.
Dean Leisinger joined Washburn University School of Law on a full-time basis in 2010. Previously he served as Assistant General Counsel to the Kansas Corporation Commission Oil and Gas Conservation Division and as Assistant Shawnee County (Kansas) Counselor. Leisinger has coached the Washburn Law American Bar Association Client Counseling competition team since 2003 and the Negotiation competition team since 2008. He has also taught the Interviewing and Counseling and the Professional Responsibility courses and regularly teaches continuing legal education sessions.
Dean Leisinger is actively engaged in non-profit work and community service. He has taught a course on the legal issues of non-profit board management for those interested in serving on such boards. Leisinger serves on the Kansas Bar Association Continuing Legal Education committee and provides pro bono legal work for a number of local non-profit organizations. He currently is finishing a term as Past-Chairman of the Topeka Civic Theater and Academy Board and is serving a four year term on the Topeka and Shawnee County Library Board of Trustees.
Dean Leisinger is happy to discuss Center programs with students, alumni, or practitioners.
Dean Leisinger's Justice Quotes:
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it" – Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for..." – Judge Taylor (reacting to the courtroom crowd erupting after Bob Ewell testified that he witnessed Tom Robinson raping his daughter as he came home from hunting), To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Dean Leisinger's Recommended Reading on Racial Justice: