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Most lawyers represent clients on matters involving anopponent. Or at least another party with differinginterests. Litigation is the primary example. We find itwith negotiating contracts or terms of joint businessventures, working out troubled loans, pursuinginsurance claims, handling adoptions and issues arisingfrom divorces, and dealing with government entities onpermits or zoning or public benefits or regulatoryapprovals or taxes. And the list goes on. That means we regularly deal with adversaries. Unlessthe adversary is pro se, we are dealing with anotherlawyer. When a client comes to me with a new matter,one of the first things I want to know is whether anotherlawyer is involved and, if so, who that lawyer is. To me,that is one of the many relevant facts in consideringhow to pursue a matter toward an acceptableresolution. Do I know the other lawyer? Have we beeninvolved in other cases together? Did we have a goodworking relationship? If I don’t know the other lawyer,do they have a reputation for how they handle theircases? I think most lawyers develop a particular style in howthey tend to handle their matters. Over time theydevelop a reputation for whatever that style is. Theirstyle may be the result of their own personalcharacteristics, the types of matters they usually handle,guidance from mentors, and their experience withdiffering styles. I don’t think there is one best style forpracticing law. There are too many variations in peopleand types of matters and individual cases for that. Butin my experience, there are certain things that tend tofacilitate reasonable and efficient resolutions. When a matter is concluded, I often think back over thecase to make sure I have learned from the experiencebefore I close that file and focus on other things. Andone of the things I think about in that review of the case is the way the lawyers handled things. Did it facilitatea good resolution, or were there things about it thatmade it more difficult to get to a resolution, or thateven prevented it? Was it efficient, or did it lead tounnecessary delays or expense? Did professionalismdescribe the work, or was it something less than that? I have closed many cases where that review hasgiven me a real sense of joy, because I thought myadversary had done a great job in how they handledthe case for their client and that had facilitated areasonable and efficient resolution. They had handledthings efficiently, including in informal ways whereappropriate. They had been open and frank in theircommunications with me about the facts and the lawand their position on how the issues in the caseshould be analyzed. They had taken reasonablepositions on resolution options. They had beenprofessional in their dealings with me and in anydealings directly with my client or any third parties.Those cases were often very challenging, becauselegal issues between parties can be very difficult forthem. But the work of my adversary had helped us towork through those challenges. I suspect most lawyers are like me in that one of thefirst things they want to know when they considergetting involved in a new matter is who the adversarylawyer is. What do I want them to think if they learnI’m the lawyer on the other side? And when weeventually resolve what could be a very challengingcase, whatever that resolution is, will they think backover the case and have a sense of appreciation that Iwas the adversary lawyer?F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N TM o n t e V i n e sThe Joy of Having a Great AdversaryBar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 2
community and bar activities. She is a Past Presidentof the Wichita Bar Association Young Lawyers Sectionand the Wichita Women Attorneys Association andchairs the WBA Pro Bono Committee. She organizesseveral pro bono events throughout the state eachyear. She is a member of the Kansas Bar Association,Kansas Women Attorneys Association, and a memberof the Wesley E. Brown Inn of Court, of which she alsoserves as Membership Chair. She sits on theStepStone/Dear Neighbor board, is an avid Bar Showparticipant (and advocate-the Bar Show WILL RIDEAGAIN!) and participates in multiple improv/theatergroups in town. In 2018, she received the WashburnLaw Graduate of the Last Decade Award and the WBAPresident’s Award. Scott Hill is a partner at Hite,Fanning & Honeyman L.L.P.,where he serves on the firm’sthree-person executive man-agement committee. Scottdevotes substantial time to hisfirm’s management, marketing,technology and recruiting efforts. He concentrates his practice in banking, businesstransactions, business litigation and real estate. Scott has been active in the bar community since hestarted practice in 2003. Scott served as WBA YoungLawyers President from 2006-2007, during which timehe served on the WBA Board of Governors. Scott laterserved as the Kansas Bar Association Young LawyersPresident from 2008-2009. Following this role, herepresented Kansas and Missouri as the Young LawyersDistrict Representative to the American Bar Association ichita Bar Association 2022-2023 Slate of Officers & Board CandidatesPresident-Elect4Christine Campbell is Of-Counsel at Franklin Law Office inWichita. She previously workedat Kansas Legal Services for 13years as a general practiceattorney and as the StatewidePro Bono Director. Christy is involved in numerous Young Lawyers Division. Scott served asSecretary/Treasurer of the Kansas Bar Foundation from2018-2019, President-Elect of the Kansas BarFoundation from 2019-2020, and President of theKansas Bar Foundation from 2020-2021. He served onthe Kansas Bar Association Board of Governors from2008-2009 and 2020-2021. Scott continues to serve onthe Kansas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees andserves as the IOLTA Committee Chair (2018-2022).Scott currently serves on the WBA Board of Governors(2020-2022). Scott is a fellow of both the Kansas BarFoundation and the American Bar Foundation. Scott has served in leadership roles on WBAcommittees, including serving as co-editor of the WBABar-o-Meter (2016-2020) and chair of the TechnologyCommittee (2008-2011). Scott is a longstanding memberof the Bankruptcy Committee, the Bar-o-MeterCommittee, the Real Estate and Business Committeeand the Technology Committee. Scott has received WBA President’s Awards in 2011and 2019 for his service to the Technology Committeeand the Bar-o-Meter Committee, and a Kansas BarAssociation Outstanding Service Award in 2018 for hiswork for the Kansas Bar Foundation’s IOLTA program. From 2014-2017, Scott served as the Kansas BarAssociation representative to the Information Networkof Kansas, Inc. He served as Secretary of theorganization from 2016-2017. Scott was raised in Independence, Kansas. He attend-ed Pittsburg State University, graduating Magna CumLaude with a BBA in Marketing and Economics. Hecontinued to Washburn University School of Law,graduating with Honors, during which time he earnedhis MBA at Washburn. Scott is married to Jennifer Hill of McDonald, Tinker.They have two sons (ages 13 and 9). Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 3
ichita Bar Association 2022-2023 Slate of Officers & Board CandidatesVice PresidentSylvia B. Penner is a lifelongresident of Kansas. She receivedher Bachelor of Arts degree inBiology in 1999 from TaborCollege in Hillsboro, Kansas,where she was a member of thevarsity basketball and soccerteams and served on the college'sStudent Senate. Sylvia received her Juris Doctor from theUniversity of Kansas in 2004. While at KU, she served asa Student Ambassador and worked as a law clerk to theDistrict Court for the Third Judicial District in ShawneeCounty. After law school, Sylvia worked for four years asan Assistant District Attorney for the Eighteenth JudicialDistrict in Sedgwick County, where she prosecutedcriminal actions in the traffic, juvenile, drug, sex,domestic violence, and gang units. As a prosecutor, shehoned her trial skills, argued before the Kansas Court ofAppeals, and served as an instructor at the Kansas LawEnforcement Training Center. Sylvia co-founded PennerLowe Law Group in February 2020 and practices in theareas of Criminal Defense, including White CollarCriminal and Civil Defense, Civil Litigation, PersonalInjury, Workers Compensation, and Juvenile Law. Sylviais bilingual and takes delight in representing clients fromboth the English and Spanish speaking communities. Shegenuinely enjoys her work and especially the people thatshe meets and serves. Sylvia is a member of the American, Kansas, andWichita Bar Associations. As an active Bar member, sheserves on the Wichita Women Attorneys Association andthe Criminal Practice, Law in Education, and ProfessionalDiversity Committees of the Wichita Bar Association. In2012, Sylvia was elected by her peers to serve on theWBA Board of Governors. Sylvia is active in a variety ofcommunity organizations and activities. She serves onboards for The Salvation Army, Kansas Appleseed, ChildStart, and Everence. Sylvia is presently serving on theKansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission. She alsoprovides pro bono legal advice at Wichita’s Union RescueMission, Hilltop Urban Church, and The Salvation Army. While she is not working, Ms. Penner enjoysparticipating in a number of organized sports, cheeringon her children in their many sports and activities,running, listening to live music, and spending timewith her family.Judge J. Thomas Marten for two and a half yearsfollowing a twelve-year career in private practice withRobinson Law Firm, LLC and Morris, Laing, Evans,Brock & Kennedy, Chartered, where she worked in theareas of civil litigation, real estate, financial services,intellectual property, business law, and municipalpractice. She earned her J.D. from Washburn Law in2006 and her B.S. in Biodiversity, Ecology, andEvolutionary Biology from the University of Kansas in2003. Kristen has been actively involved in the WBA andWichita Women Attorneys Association since shemoved to Wichita in 2006, and currently serves as theWBA’s Secretary/Treasurer. Kristen previously servedon the WBA Board of Governors from 2019-2021 andas WWAA President from 2018-2019. She loves danceand has been a performer, dance captain, andchoreographer in four Wichita Bar Shows and onemini Bar Show, and is now a part of the show’ssteering committee. In addition to her work with theWBA and WWAA, Kristen is the co-chair of the KansasWomen Attorneys Association’s Education andOutreach Committee and is an editor for the KansasBar Association’s Annual Survey. In her free time,Kristen enjoys reading, volunteering with BalletWichita, and spending time with her family, includinghusband Phil, teenage stepsons Grey and Xander, 19-month-old Chloe Rose and rescue pup Ona. Kristen Wheeler wasappointed by Governor LauraKelly to the Kansas Board ofTax Appeals in April 2021, andwas named Chair of the Boardon July 1, 2021. Prior to that,Kristen served as a Law Clerkto United States District Court Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 4
ichita Bar Association 2022-2023Slate of Officers & Board CandidatesSCLL Board of Trustees MemberMarcia Wood is running for aposition on the Sedgwick CountyLibrary Board of Trustees. Marciagraduated from KU Law School in1992, which means she has beenaround long enough to vaguelyremember Shepardizing casesusing the actual Shepard Books. Marcia started her career as a law clerk to the lateHonorable Frank Theis. During her first week on thejob, she met Brian Wood, who was then clerking forJudge Patrick Kelly. A mere ten years later, Brian andMarcia were married. For the last fifteen plus years,Marcia has worked at Martin Pringle, with most of herpractice devoted to brief-writing and appellate practice.She has chaired or co-chaired the firm’s librarycommittee for several years, although she is in theprocess of resigning from that position. Marcia is a pastpresident of the WBA (2016-17) and WWAA (2012-13)and has held other board positions and served onseveral committees over the years. She currently servesas co-editor of the Bar-o-Meter and is a member of thecivil practice committee. Secretary-TreasurerMonique Centeno is a trialattorney at Patterson LegalGroup. She specializes in truckinglitigation and wrongful deathlitigation. She holds two degrees from theUniversity of Kansas; a Bachelorof Arts degree in English and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She receiveda law degree from Washburn University in 2005. Following law school, Monique relocated to Wichita andbegan her legal career. She represented children andparents in juvenile court. For nine years, she was an Assistant Public Defender at the Sedgwick CountyPublic Defender’s Office. She also representedindigent defendants in District Courts throughout theState of Kansas. In 2016, Monique joined Wall Huntington Trial Law.She primarily represented plaintiffs in medicalmalpractice, wrongful death and civil rights litigation. In 2019, Monique was appointed as a District CourtJudge in the 18th Judicial District of Kansas. She wasknown for having a compassionate ear for all litigantsand issuing thoughtful rulings. She continues topreside over cases as a Pro Tem District Judge. Monique is committed to improving the WBA. Shedemonstrates that by serving as a current member ofthe WBA Board of Governors and the Judge WallerFellowship Committee. She is a board member of TheHonorable Wesley E. Brown American Inn of Court.Over the years she’s participated in several WBAcommittees, such as the nominating committee, thediversity committee, criminal practice committee, andothers. Monique is also committed to improving the lives ofall Wichitans. She mentors high school students andcollege students. She distributes free food to familiesin need through organizations, such as CommonGround and the Kansas Food Bank. She also fosterslost or abandon dogs (until they find a forever home). Bach Hang is a 2002 graduate ofWashburn Law School. Bach justfinished his rookie season asDeputy Attorney of the SedgwickCounty Public Defender’s Office.He suddenly finds himself as the“old fart” lawyer in the office, butloves that he still gets carded. Heespecially enjoys mentoring the young attorneys in theoffice – laughing with them, being frustrated withthem, and learning with them. If you know Bach, you know he loves being a fatherand joking around with his daughter, Lillian. They bothlive in Wichita, Kansas. Bach is still trying to figure outhow his little baby girl is a teenager now and why shecalls him “bro” sometimes. While he ponders that, hegiggles to himself when he sees that he has way morehair than most of her friends’ fathers. Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 5
ichita Bar Association 2022-2023Slate of Officers & Board Candidates6 Bach’s one proud addiction is sports, particularly St.Louis Cardinals baseball. He enjoys quiet walks on thebeach and crafting witty haikus. His current projectsinclude trying to work on his shyness and really tryingto be more of an extrovert. Board MembersJacqueline (Jaci) Kelly is the CityAttorney for the City of Bel Aire.Her practice focuses on localgovernment, municipal contracts,human resources, and planningand zoning. Jacqueline has beenthe City attorney since 2017. Shewas admitted to the Wichita Bar in 2014 and began her practice as a prosecutor for theSedgwick County District Attorney’s office that sameyear. Before going to law school, Jaci was a technologyanalyst for the Department of Defense in Virginia. Whenher husband's military career moved their family toMcConnell Air Force Base in 2010, Jaci attendedWashburn Law School, interned at the U.S. Attorney’sOffice and volunteered serving other military spouses.Gaining an appreciation for the Midwest quality of life,her family decided to make Wichita home after lawschool. She enjoys serving the community personally andprofessionally. She continues to volunteer for the WBAReal Estate Committee, Wichita Women AttorneysAssociation (WWAA), WBA Diversity Committee, PBSKansas, City Attorney’s Association of Kansas (CAAK), theMcConnell Air Force Base Honorary CommanderProgram, Credit Union of America Supervisory Board,and the Sedgwick County District 1 Advisory Board. Sheis married to her high school sweetheart, Darryl Kelly,and they have three wonderful children. Jessica F. Leavitt is an attorneywith Stinson, Lasswell & Wilson,L.C. Raised in Lawrence, Kansas,and Homer Glen, Illinois, Jessicareceived her Bachelor of Arts inPolitical Science from theUniversity of Notre Dame andgraduated with her Juris Doctorand Trial Advocacy Doctorate from the University ofKansas School of Law. Jessica is a member of the American Bar Association,as well as the Kansas Bar Association, and the WichitaBar Association. She served on the Young LawyersSection Executive Board for five years, fulfilling therole of YLS President in 2019-2020. She also served asa co-chair of the Family Law Committee for two years.Since joining the WBA in 2014, Jessica has regularlyspoken at WBA Continuing Legal Education courses andenjoys volunteering her time to the WBA, particularly inassisting young lawyers. Jessica’s primary areas of legal practice are familylaw, probate, and landlord-tenant matters. She hasbeen married to Matt Leavitt since 2019 and blameshim for all her professional wrestling knowledge. WhenJessica isn’t working, she can be found spending timewith her new puppy, a border-collie/boxer mix namedWednesday.David Prelle Eron grew up in theLos Angeles metro area, movingto Iowa in 1993 where hereceived his B.A. in PoliticalScience from Iowa State (‘98) andhis law degree from Iowa (‘02).After moving back to Californiato practice law for four years, he returned to the Midwest in 2006 to join the U.S.Trustees Office in Wichita. Three years later, he startedwhat is now Prelle Eron & Bailey, P.A. David represents businesses and consumers inbankruptcy, litigation, and commercial transactions,with a primary focus on chapter 11 and 12 farm cases.He has represented debtors, creditors, committees,Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 6
ichita Bar Association 2022-2023 Slate of Officers & Board Candidatesand trustees across a wide variety of industries. Davidhas been a certified business bankruptcy specialistsince 2015. He was recognized by the Wichita BusinessJournal as one of Wichita’s “40 Under 40” in 2015, andwas awarded the KBA's Pro Bono Certificate in 2013.He is listed as “AV-Rated”™ by Martindale-Hubbell®,and regularly included in the “SuperLawyers”™ and“Best Lawyers in America™” lists. David is a member ofthe Kansas Federal Bench Bar Committee, a pastmember of the Kansas Bankruptcy Bench BarCommittee, and past president of the KBA Bankruptcyand Insolvency Section. David has a special affinity forthe Wesley E. Brown Inn of Court, where he presentlyserves as the president-elect and a team leader. Heregularly presents seminars for the WBA and otherorganizations. He is currently serving as the Co-Chairof the Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute jointlysponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute andUMKC. David enjoys spending his free time with his wifeLaura, seven children (two at home!), and fourgrandchildren. He travels extensively with his family,especially to New Orleans, Las Vegas, and theCaribbean. He and Laura are avid motorcyclists, ridingtheir Ducatis whenever time allows. David is very activein his parish at St. Vincent de Paul and has acted in itsannual “Murder Mystery” musical benefitting the Lord’sDiner for the past four years. He also sits on the RedMass planning committee for the Diocese of Wichitaand the St. Thomas More Society. David hopes toparticipate in BAK this year for the first time!Steve Rupert has a rare com-bination of experience, havingworked in both criminal and civillaw, in both private practice andfor the government, including astint clerking for the federalcourts. Additionally, Steve hasspent the past six years volunteer-ing his time at the WBA by serving in a variety of roles,including President of the Young Lawyers Section, ExOfficio Board of Governors Member, NominationCommittee Member, Committee Chair, CLE Presenter,Panelist, Speaker, and author of numerous Bar-O-Meterarticles. More recently, Steve was appointed to the WBA’s first-ever Racial Justice Task Force. He was also asked to joinExecutive Director Virdena Gilkey and President MonteVines in representing the WBA at the American BarAssociation’s Bar Leadership Institute in Chicago,Illinois, the nation’s most prestigious bar leadershipprogram. Steve is excited to continue his service to the WBA andlooks forward to the opportunities and challenges it willpresent.Richard Samaniego is a memberat Gibson Watson Marino LLC. Hedevotes a significant portion ofhis practice to the areas of familylaw. Richard’s other practice areasinclude municipal law (cityattorney and prosecutor) as wellas estate planning and probate. Before moving to Wichita, Richard was activelyinvolved with government affairs for over 10 yearshaving worked as a staffer for the Texas House ofRepresentatives and as a lobbyist in Kansas. Richard graduated from the University of Texas atAustin with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) inGovernment and a minor in business from the McCombsSchool of Business. Richard received his Juris Doctorfrom Washburn University School of Law in Topeka,Kansas. Richard was admitted to the Texas bar in 2006and to the Kansas bar in 2007.Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 7
ichita Bar Association 2022-2023Slate of Officers & Board CandidatesBoard Members (continued)8 Richard currently serves as Chair of the Wichita BarAssociation Legislative Committee, Chair of the KansasBar Association Legislative Committee, Chair of theKansas Crime Victims Compensation Board, member ofthe Kansas Child Support Guidelines Committee andmember of the Judicial Council Family Law AdvisoryCommittee. Richard is a past board member of the WBA YoungLawyers Division and a member of the American BarAssociation, Kansas Bar Association, State Bar of Texas,East Wichita Rotary (past board member), and WichitaCrime Commission. When not practicing law, Richard enjoys spending timewith his beautiful wife Becky Mann (nobody knows her)and their amazing 6-year-old daughter, Juliette, who willhave a new sister in April. Richard also enjoys watchingTexas Longhorn sports and KU basketball (solely for thesupport of his wife and in-laws of course). Richard isalso known to engage in lively discussions on politics,current events and international affairs with any poorsoul who will listen… Megan Townsley is an attorney atMcConnell Law Firm, P.A., whereher criminal defense practicefocuses on motion and briefwriting. She earned a B.S. inJournalism from University ofKansas in 2012 and J.D. fromWashburn University School of Lawin 2015, where she served on the Board of Editors forthe Washburn Law Journal. Having been active with the WBA since beginning herpractice in Wichita, Megan currently serves on the Bar-O-Meter, Criminal Law Practice, Technology, andProfessional Diversity Committees. She has writtenseveral articles for the Bar-o-Meter, all of whichprovided ground-breaking news and fresh perspective. Amember of the Wesley E. Brown Inn of Court, shemoderated and presented at the Wichita Bar Associationethics and law practice management CLE presentations.Additionally, she sits on the board of the Wichita WomenAttorneys Association, leading the Research andCharitable Contributions Committee. She also serves asthe President-Elect for WBA Young Lawyers Section. Sheis also a member of the Kansas Association of CriminalDefense Lawyers. Megan is also a member of the Junior League of Wichita,serving as the Historian and Photographer. Megan alsovolunteers with the elderly (aka she occasionally haslunch with her father, Bill Townsley). Megan is an avidhiker, photographer, reader, and KU basketball fan.Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 8
Ballot Voting Instructionsfor Wichita Bar Association Officers and Board 2022 - 2023Being Conducted March 1st through March 8th, 2022Information on electronic balloting will go out to the membership via bulk mailing, email, and the March Bar-o-Meter. Paper balloting will be available at the Wichita Bar Association Tuesday, March 1st through Monday, March 7th. Paper balloting will NOT be available on election day. The electronic ballot will be available on the WBA website (www.wichitabar.org) from Tuesday, March 1st, through Tuesday, March 8th, at 12:30 p.m. Only Active and Life members are eligible to vote. If you are not an Active or Life member, please do not participate in this election.First, current WBA members must be logged on to the WBA website (wichitabar.org) using their username (supreme court number) and password. Second, WBA Members will click "2022-2023 Election" on the homepage menu. Third, click on "Begin Survey." When your voting is complete, click on "Complete Survey" to submit your ballot.Note: If there is a tie, only members in attendance at the luncheon live or via Zoom will be allowed to vote and break the tie. If you need username or password assistance or have questions, please contact the WBA office at 263-2251 ext. 107, or e-mail Ashley at awatson@wichitabar.org.Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 9
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1.What is Rise Up for Youth?Rise Up for Youth (RUFY) has a Brotherhood and a Sisterhood program that serve at risk students in six Wichita Public High Schools. Staff meet with students weekly in the schools to provide mentoring through group and one-on-one meetings. RUFY also hosts a variety of empowerment workshops throughout the year to teach skills needed to be successful in life. For example, resume writing and mock interviews, healthy relationships, and ACT preparation. RUFY provides opportunities to perform community service and to learn activities such as yoga and boxing. RUFY also takes students to visit area colleges to learn about post-secondary school options. 2. What is your role in the organization?My role in the organization is that I sit on the Board of Directors and I am the Board Secretary, so I also sit on the Board Executive Committee.3. Why and how did you get involved with The Kansas African American Museum?I got involved in the organization because I met the founders of the organization, Lynn and David Gilkey. In the past, Lynn and David both struggled with drug addiction and were incarcerated. While incarcerated, they decided to dedicate their lives to ensuring teens do not make the same mistakes that they made. They are incredibly inspirational and the work that they do is life changing for all kids that participate in their program. The organization that they founded started with just the two of them and has grown to have several employees and an Executive Director. They have a 100%graduation rate for students who participate in their program, which is amazing given the population they serve.4. Where can people go to learn more?People can learn more by the Rise Up for Youth website: www.riseupforyouth.org On the website, under the “about” link, there is a video about the organization. Below is a link to a story on Lynn Gilkey receiving an award from President Obama. https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article105144806.html5. How can other lawyers help?Donate funds to the organization, attend a future fundraiser, watch the video on the RUFY website to learn more about the program, volunteer, let an aspiring attorney shadow you for the day, volunteer to speak at a workshop, or donate school supplies and dorm room essentials to a student graduating and moving on to college. Lawyers Giving Back Jessica Suhr and Rise Up for YouthJessica SuhrThe Bar-o-Meter is reviving its traditional Lawyers Giving Back stories into a monthly series using the 5-questionformat seen here. The series will highlight local charities, community organizations, and projects that are not"household names." If you know of an organization that more WBA members should get acquainted with, pleasecontact Amanda Marino, Marcia Wood, or Robin Burnside. Our fourth featured lawyer is Jessica Suhr (Ward LawLLC) telling us about Rise Up for Youth. Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 12
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By: Joe Schremmer ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO—It’s the spring semester of my thirdyear at the University of New Mexico School of Law, which means I’vebeen at law school as a professor for almost as long as I was there asa student. And this time around, I’m crossing my fingers that theydon’t make me leave and find a job. A lot’s happened since I left Wichita two-and-a-half years ago: theKansas City Chiefs found their mojo, as did manufacturers of surgicalmasks, and society became generally more civil. You know all thatstuff. On a personal level, I married fellow WBA member KelseyFrobisher, formerly of Foulston Siefkin. Kelsey and I met the old-fashioned way—at a bar during a young lawyers’ event. They saytiming is everything, so I took the teaching job in Albuquerqueshortly after we started dating. We married in December 2020, andshe moved to join me in the desert that same month. We BradyBunch’d our two cats, bought a house, and learned to whine aboutwind and humidity. Visitors welcome! Kelsey is working remotely as a term clerk for the Honorable TobyCrouse in the District of [the Great State of] Kansas. Meanwhile, Icommute one mile to the law school every day, where I pass on thewisdom of my mentors (Dennis Gillen, Randy Rathbun, Jack McInteer,Chris Steincamp, Kim Vining, Steve Gough, John Pike, Don Peterson,and Sean McGivern are a few of the wise men, wise women, and wiseasses I’ve learned from) and try not to irreparably warp the minds ofthe next generation of lawyers. COVID continues to make thingsweird. Now when my students have a breakthrough in class, theyhave to quarantine for ten days. And since we’re all in masks, I canonly guess what students actually look like—which makes them verydifficult to spot and avoid in public. Kelsey and I are slowly integrating into the state and local bars.(Both kinds; not at identical rates.) The looks I’ve got whensuggesting a New Mexico Bar Show are not unlike those I see whenteaching the rule against perpetuities. But we’ve met a lot of goodlawyers who are also good people, even if they can’t tap dance andsing. And while we’re homesick for the Land of Oz, we’ve found thatmountain views and vats of green chili help the “Land ofEnchantment” live up to its name. Where are they now?Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 14
Sara Zafar Dallas RakestrawRachael PirnerWBA members getting together...WBA members giving back...Condolences go out to...HearsayMark Kahrs (Kahrs Law) on the passing of his mother, Sandra, onFebruary 1, 2022. Our thoughts go out to the Honorable BobNugent and family on the passing of his mother-in-law, DonnaDomann, on January 27, 2022. Additional condolences go out toJerry Hawkins (Hite Fanning) and family on the passing of hismother-in-law, Pamela Pritchard, on January 27, 2022.Congratulations are in order...The Honorable Clark Owens won a trophy for Best Ford andearned the Sponsor trophy from Flint Hills National Golf Club forhis 1967 Mustang Fastback that was entered in the Cars forCharities Rod and Custom Show. Rachael Pirner (Triplett Woolf)was elected to serve as the American Bar Association StateDelegate for Kansas. Kelly Rundell (Hite Fanning) had one of herartworks featured in the 12-Squared Show at Gallery XII.b y G a b b y T a t t l e rJessica Suhr (Ward Law) collected goodies for the third time to give tolocal COVID hospital nurses to thank them for their hard work anddedication. Hinkle Law invited the 2022 Wichita Business Journal HRProfessional honorees to their office for headshots and a chance tomingle among other professionals. Robert Moody (Martin Pringle) wasfeatured on the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce BusinessAccelerator podcast in honor of Black History Month. Ten MartinPringle attorneys loaded into a van and drove to the University ofKansas to hold mock interviews. Sara Zafar (Franklin Law Office) wasthe vocalist and Dallas Rakestraw (McDonald Tinker PA) was the guestspeaker at the February 25th Naturalization Ceremony. Wichita KU fans loaded a bus and rode to Lawrence to watch theJayhawks take on Texas Tech. Several WBA members were seen on thebus including the Honorable Kellie E. Hogan.Ross Alexander (Attorney at L aw) an d w ife Pa ige ha d amagnificen t din ing e xperience at the F renc h Lau ndry inYountville , C alif orni a. Juli a Craft (Joseph Hollande r) crui sed th eCaribbean and sw am with the stingrays. Sara Za far (Fr anklinLaw) cheere d on t he Ja yhaw ks in Lawrence. Also wa tchi ng KUBasketball w as Jon i Fran klin ( Fran klin L aw) and A aronBreitenbac h (Di stri ct Attorney ’s O ffic e). G ary Owe ns (De athPenalty Defense U nit) hike d the h ills arou nd Los Ange les,California . Hugh Gill (Hinkle Law) and f amil y att ended som ecollege to urs in A rkansas. Al ice Knetsc h O sbur n ( Dist rictAttorney’s Offic e) wat ched Wichita fav orite, Fre d Van Fl eet ofthe Tor onto Raptors , play th e Oklahoma Th under in OklahomaCity. Benjamin Winte rs (Patterso n Leg al) was i n a New Yo rkstate of m ind during his rece nt get away to the Big Apple.Traveling attorneys...Julia CraftRoss Alexander and familyAaron Breitenbach andJoni FranklinSara ZafarGary OwensRachael Pirn er (Triplett Woo lf) real ized she “mad e it afte r all”when s he pose d with t he Mary Tyler M oore sta tue inMinneapoli s, Minneso ta. Erica Lopez (St. Francis CommunityServices) hit the slopes in C olor ado with he r li ttle snow b unni es.Benjamin Winters and his wifeBar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 15
On the move and changes...Trevor Riddle has opened a solo practice inTulsa, Oklahoma; Jessica Suhr has joined WardLaw LLC.Welcome new member...Mitch Armstrong, Larson & Brown.Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 16
MARCH 2022APRIL 2022WBA Events CalendarAll committees meet at the WBA at Noon unless otherwise noted.T/1 Estate Planning & Probate Committee Meeting (Cancelled)Professional Diversity Committee Meeting Service to the Bar Committee Meeting (Cancelled) M/2 Civil Practice Committee Meeting (Cancelled)Lawyers Assistance Committee Meeting via Zoom Th/3 Bar-o-Meter Committee Meeting - Hybrid M/7 Driver’s License Clinic Meeting via Zoom Medical-Legal Committee Meeting (Cancelled) Real Estate & Business Law Committee Meeting via ZoomTechnology Committee Meeting via Zoom T/8 March Hybrid Annual Bar Luncheon and Election 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Sedgwick County LawCenterW/9 Law in Education Committee Meeting Family Law Committee Meeting via Zoom 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Th/10 Bankruptcy Committee Meeting Executive Committee Meeting via Zoom Young Lawyers Section Meeting (TBD) F/11 Inn of Court Executive Committee Meeting M/14 Legislative Committee Meeting W/16 Fee Dispute Committee Meeting Mentoring Committee Meeting Th/17 Board of Governors Meeting Ethics Committee Meeting at 3:00 p.m. M/21 Membership Committee Meeting T/22 Continuing Legal Education Committee Meeting W/23 Criminal Practice Committee Meeting via Zoom F/1 Real Estate Barnstorm CLE Seminar (4.0 hours,including 1.0 hours ethics) Hybrid option available.M/4 Medical-Legal Committee Meeting Real Estate & Business Law Committee Meeting T/5 Estate Planning & Probate Committee Meeting Professional Diversity Committee Meeting Service to the Bar Committee Meeting W/6 Civil Practice Committee Meeting Lawyers Assistance Committee Meeting 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Th/7 Spring Ethics CLE Seminar (2.0 hours of ethics) Hybridoption available. Bar-o-Meter Committee Meeting F/8 Real Estate Barnstorm CLE Seminar (4.0 hours,including 1.0 hours ethics) Hybrid option available. Inn of Court Executive Committee Meeting via Zoom M/11 Legislative Committee Meeting Technology CommitteeMeetingT/12 April Monthly Luncheon W/13 Family Law Committee Meeting via Zoom 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Th/14 Bankruptcy Committee Meeting Executive Committee Meeting via Zoom Young Lawyers Section Meeting (TBD) F/15 Inn of Court CLE Seminar: Civil Practice, Trial / CivilProcedure (4.0 hours, including 1.0 hours ethics)Hybrid option available..Th/24 Juvenile Law Committee Meeting F/25 Estate Planning and Probate CLE Seminar (4.0 hours,including 1.0 hours ethics) Hybrid option available. M/28 Legislative Committee MeetingBar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 17
JOB OPPORTUNITYREFERRALS ACCEPTEDOFFICE SPACEClassified AdvertisingNeed an Estate Administrator? I have a legal andaccounting background and experience. Call SaraDwyer 316/250-1501.Monnat & Spurrier, Chartered - CriminalDefense Trial Lawyer - Interested in working at afirm that handles many high-profile criminal jurytrials? Monnat & Spurrier, Chartered, is seeking anassociate attorney who will be involved in thefrequent preparation and trial of criminal casesthroughout the state and elsewhere. Salary iscommensurate with trial experience and abilities($90,000 to $125,000). Apply by sending resume todan.monnat@monnat.com.THE LAW OFFICE OF SEAN M. DWYER handles alltypes of employment litigation for plaintiffs anddefendants, including discrimination, sexualharassment, wrongful termination matters, andfederal employee civil service or discriminationclaims. Please call 316/689-4268.SANTO LAW OFFICE, P.A. handles copyrights,trademarks, trade secrets, business/corporate law,and civil litigation. Please call 316/689-4245 orvisit www.santolaw.com for more information.Convenient east side location.SHARED OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE at 2121 W.Maple; use of copy machine, internet andconference room. Davis & Jack, L.L.C. ContactKenneth Jack at 316/945-8521.OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE at the Sedgwick CountyLaw Center, 225 N. Market, Suite 300, 2985 SF (7offices, open work area, break room, storage area,conference room, and reception area). Contact:Marty Moody, JP Weigand, at 316-292-3942 oremail: mmoody@weigand.com.Bar-o-Meter Lite - March 2022Page 18