(Main Office)

Foulston Siefkin LLP is the largest, and one of the oldest, law firms in Kansas. The Firm traces its origins to 1919 when Robert C. Foulston and George L. Siefkin began their practice of law in Wichita. Today the firm has grown to over 80 lawyers, and has offices in Wichita, the state's largest city, Topeka, the state's capital, and Overland Park, the heart of commerce in the Kansas City area. The Firm's historic strength has been its consistently high caliber of attorneys, which are recognized nationally and state wide for their knowledge, skill and capabilities. The Firm represents a broad range of clients, including major financial institutions, corporations, public utilities, insurance companies, health care providers, manufacturers, franchisers and franchisees, agricultural and natural resource producers and processors, professional entities, construction and contractors, services providers, and others.

Statement of Practice

Our practice areas cover the spectrum of the legal profession, including (i) civil and complex litigation - class action and qui tam; business contract and commercial disputes including intellectual property matters; mediation, and alternative dispute resolution; insurance defense; administrative representation; and tort defense in personal injury, products liability, professional malpractice, and property damage; (ii) business matters - including commercial transactions involving securities, financing, family business enterprises, anti-trust, creditors' rights and bankruptcy, e-Business, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital, environmental, oil and gas, water rights, agribusiness, banking, franchise, intellectual property, real estate, construction, regulatory compliance and corporate and entity formation; and federal and state taxation, including tax planning, contested tax disputes, elder and estate planning, tax exempt organizations, ERISA and employee benefits; (iii) employment and labor - including organized labor, NLRB representation, employment discrimination defense, immigration, workers compensation, OSHA, wage and hour, and employee relations, and (iv) health care law - including government investigations, compliance programs, reimbursement, fraud and abuse, and professional liability defense.

Firm Affiliations

WORLD SERVICES GROUP (WSG) : A multi-disciplinary global association of large local, national and international providers of professional business services

Representative Clients:

Aeroflex, Wichita Division
American Restaurant Partners, L.P.
AVIVA
Bank of America, N.A.
Bank of Kansas
BeautyFirst
BEREXCO, INC.
Big Dog Motorcycles, L.L.C.
The Boeing Company
Bombardier Aerospace Learjet
Cancer Center of Kansas, P.A.
Capitol Federal Financial
Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation
Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
Central Bank and Trust Co.
Cereal Food Processors, Inc.
Cessna Aircraft Company
CGF Industries, Inc.
City of Hays
City of Wichita
CNA Insurance Companies
Coffey Health Systems
The Coleman Company, Inc.
Commerce Bank
Cox Communications
Crawford & Company
Davis Moore Auto Group
Dean E. Norris, Inc.
Delta Dental Plan of Kansas, Inc.
Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co.
DPIC Companies, Inc.
Envision, Inc.
FlightSafety International
Fox & Hound Restaurant Group
Galichia Heart Hospital
Galichia Medical Group, P.A.
Garvey Elevators, Inc.
The Hayes Company, Inc.
Hays Medical Center, Inc.
Hays/Russell Water District
ICM, Inc.
The IMA Financial Group, Inc.
Integra Technologies LLC
INVISTA
KaMMCO
Kaneb Pipe Line Company
Kansas County Association Multi-line Pool
Kansas Dental Association
Kansas Orthopaedic Center, P.A.
Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute
Koch Industries, Inc.
KPTS Channel 8
LSI Logic
LodgeWorks Corp.
Martin K. Eby Construction Co., Inc.
McCormick Armstrong Co., Inc.
Murfin Drilling Company, Inc.
Nueterra Healthcare
Professional Engineering Consultants
SAFECO Property & Casualties Ins. Co.
Schaefer, Johnson, Cox, Frey Architecture
Shelly Electric, Inc.
Shelter Insurance Companies
South Central KS Health Insurance Group.
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
TECT Aerospace
Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, Inc.
Utica National Insurance Group
UCI
Value Place, LLC
Veriprime, Inc.
Via Christi Health System
Waterwalk LLC
Weaver Manufacturing
Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce
Wichita Clinic, P.A.
Wichita Surgical Specialists, P.A.

Address

Commerce Bank Center
1551 North Waterfront Parkway, Suite 100
Wichita, KS 67206-4466, (Sedgwick Co.)

Phone

Phone: 316-267-6371
Facsimile: 316-267-6345

Website

http://www.foulston.com

Firm/Affiliate Offices

(For additional biographical data, see Professional Biographies at Topeka, Overland Park Kansas)

MEMBERS OF FIRM

Mikel L. Stout (Member) born Emporia, Kansas, 1937; admitted to bar, 1961, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: Kansas State University (B.S., 1958); University of Kansas (LL.B., with distinction, 1961). Order of the Coif. Editor, Kansas Law Review, 1960-1961. President, Wichita Bar Association, 1987-1988. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel (President, 1983-1984). Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow and Board of Regents, 2000-2007; President 2007-2008); American Bar Foundation; Kansas Bar Foundation (President, 1991-1993). Practice Areas: Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Environmental Law; Labor and Employment; Alternative Dispute Resolution.Email: Mikel L. Stout

Stanley G. Andeel (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, 1941; admitted to bar, 1966, Kansas; 1971, U.S. Tax Court. Education: University of Kansas (A.B., 1963); University of Michigan (LL.B., 1966); New York University (LL.M., in Taxation, 1967). Fellow: American College of Tax Counsel; Kansas Bar Foundation. Member: National Health Lawyers Association; Small Business Council of America. Practice Areas: Taxation; Trusts and Estates; Health Care.Email: Stanley G. Andeel

Darrell L. Warta (Member) born Ellsworth, Kansas, 1946; admitted to bar, 1971, Kansas. Education: St. Ambrose College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1968); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 1971). Editor-in-Chief, Washburn Law Journal, 1970-1971. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel; American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Products Liability; Alternative Dispute Resolution.Email: Darrell L. Warta

Harvey R. Sorensen (Member) born Chicago, Illinois, 1947; admitted to bar, 1974, Wisconsin; 1975, U.S. Tax Court; 1976, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; 2002, U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Education: Beloit College (B.A., 1969); Boston University (M.S.B.A., 1973); Northwestern University (J.D., cum laude, 1974). Chair, State and Local Tax Committee, Lex Mundi, Inc. Director and Chair-Elect, World Services Group. Chairman, Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce, 2008. Member: American College of Tax Counsel. Practice Areas: General Business; Taxation; Estate Planning and Probate; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Venture Capital; Family Business Enterprise.Email: Harvey R. Sorensen

James M. Armstrong (Member) born Abilene, Kansas, 1948; admitted to bar, 1976, Kansas; U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth and Tenth Circuits. Education: University of Kansas (B.A., 1970; J.D., 1976); Pennsylvania State University (M.A., 1972). Order of the Coif. Editor-in-Chief, University of Kansas Law Review, 1975-1976. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Appellate Practice; Commercial Law.Email: James M. Armstrong

Charles P. Efflandt (Member) born Moline, Illinois, 1950; admitted to bar, 1976, Kansas; U.S. District Court, District of Kansas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. Education: Cornell University (B.S., 1972); University of Kansas (J.D., 1976). Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Environmental Law; Toxic Torts.Email: Charles P. Efflandt

Gary L. Ayers (Member) born Wellington, Kansas, 1952; admitted to bar, 1979, Kansas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: University of Kansas (B.A., 1974; J.D., 1979). Order of the Coif. Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1978-1979. Member: Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; Kansas Hospital Association; American Health Lawyers Association. Fellow: Kansas Bar Foundation. Practice Areas: Health Care; Intellectual Property; Commercial Law; Litigation.Email: Gary L. Ayers

Larry G. Rapp (Member) born Kansas City, Missouri, 1954; admitted to bar, 1979, Kansas. Education: Washburn University of Topeka (B.A., 1976); University of Kansas (J.D., 1979). Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1978-1979. Practice Areas: Business Law; Health Care; Agricultural Law; Real Estate; Banks and Banking.Email: Larry G. Rapp

Jay F. Fowler (Member) born Iola, Kansas, 1955; admitted to bar, 1980, Kansas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Education: Emporia State University (B.S., 1977); University of Kansas (J.D., 1980). Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1979-1980. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Fellow: Kansas Bar Foundation; American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Professional Liability; Products Liability; Insurance Defense.Email: Jay F. Fowler

Stephen M. Kerwick (Member) born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1952; admitted to bar, 1981, Kansas; 1986, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. Education: LaSalle College (B.A., 1973); University of Kansas (J.D., 1981). Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1980-1981. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Appellate Practice; Litigation; Regulatory Law.Email: Stephen M. Kerwick

Christopher M. Hurst (Member) born Bethesda, Maryland, 1956; admitted to bar, 1982, Kansas and U.S. Tax Court. Education: University of Notre Dame (B.A., 1978); University of Florida (J.D., cum laude, 1981; LL.M., in Taxation, magna cum laude, 1982). Practice Areas: Taxation; Business Law; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures.Email: Christopher M. Hurst

Terry C. Cupps (Member) born Anthony, Kansas, 1956; admitted to bar, 1982, Kansas. Education: Kansas State University (B.S., 1978); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 1982). Executive Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1981-1982. Member: American Bankruptcy Institute. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy; Debtor and Creditor; Banks and Banking; Finance; Business Law.Email: Terry C. Cupps

Jim Goering (Member) born Moundridge, Kansas, 1958; admitted to bar, 1983, Kansas, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Bethel College (B.S., 1980); Harvard University (J.D., 1983). Harvard Ames Finals, 1982. Practice Areas: Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Natural Resources; Intellectual Property; Antitrust and Trade Regulation.Email: Jim Goering

Wyatt A. Hoch (Member) born McPherson, Kansas, 1957; admitted to bar, 1983, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; 1985, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit; 1986, U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Education: Kansas State University (B. Arch., magna cum laude, 1980); University of Kansas (J.D., 1983). Order of the Coif. Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1982-1983. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; American Institute of Architects. Practice Areas: Construction Law; Construction Arbitration; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Natural Resources; Insurance; Education Law.Email: Wyatt A. Hoch

Amy S. Lemley (Member) born Littlefield, Texas, 1955; admitted to bar, 1983, Texas and Kansas. Education: Clarendon Jr. College (A.S., 1975); Texas Tech University (B.A., 1978); University of Texas (J.D., 1982). Member, International Law Journal. Member: American Board of Trial Advocates; Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute; International Association of Defense Counsel. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Professional Malpractice; Health Care; Litigation; Insurance Defense.Email: Amy S. Lemley

Douglas L. Hanisch (Member) born Sioux City, Iowa, 1958; admitted to bar, 1983, Iowa; 1984, Kansas. Education: University of Northern Iowa (B.A., Accounting, 1980); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., cum laude, 1983); New York University (LL.M., in Taxation, 1984). Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1982-1983. Member: Wichita, Iowa State, Kansas and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Employee Benefits; ERISA; Deferred Compensation; Business Law.Email: Douglas L. Hanisch

Douglas L. Stanley (Managing Partner) born Topeka, Kansas, 1955; admitted to bar, 1984, Kansas. Education: Washburn University of Topeka (B.A., summa cum laude, 1981); University of Kansas (J.D., 1984). Order of the Coif. Editor-in-Chief, University of Kansas Law Review, 1983-1984. Member: Defense Research Institute. Fellow: The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Douglas L. Stanley

Timothy B. Mustaine (Member) born Columbus, Ohio, 1950; admitted to bar, 1980, Kansas. Education: Miami University (B.A., 1971); University of Kansas (J.D., 1980). Notes and Comments Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1979-1980. Law Clerk to Honorable Patrick F. Kelly, U.S. District Judge, District of Kansas, 1980-1984. Practice Areas: Appellate Practice; Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation.Email: Timothy B. Mustaine

Jeffery A. Jordan (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, 1959; admitted to bar, 1985, Kansas. Education: Wichita State University (B.S., 1982); University of Kansas (J.D., 1985). Order of the Coif. Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1984-1985. Member: Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Construction Law; Professional Liability; Bankruptcy.Email: Jeffery A. Jordan

Trisha A. Thelen (Member) born Pierre, South Dakota, 1960; admitted to bar, 1985, Kansas. Education: University of South Dakota (B.S., 1982); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 1985). Associate Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1984-1985. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Class Actions.Email: Trisha A. Thelen

William R. Wood, II (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, 1962; admitted to bar, 1986, Kansas. Education: Wichita State University (B.B.A., 1983); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 1986). Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1985-1986. Practice Areas: Business Law; Real Estate; Securities; Franchises and Franchising; Banks and Banking; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Finance.Email: William R. Wood, II

Kevin J. Arnel (Member) born Kansas City, Missouri, 1963; admitted to bar, 1987, Kansas; 1989, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. Education: Southern Methodist University (B.A., 1984); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 1987). Practice Areas: Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations; Real Estate; Business Law; Trusts and Estates; Life Sciences; Biotechnology.Email: Kevin J. Arnel

Craig W. West (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, 1961; admitted to bar, 1987, Kansas. Education: Kansas State University (B.S., 1984); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 1987). Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1986-1987. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; International Association of Defense Counsel. Fellow: Kansas Bar Foundation. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation.Email: Craig W. West

Eric K. Kuhn (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, 1960; admitted to bar, 1989, Kansas. Education: Wichita State University (B.A., 1982); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., 1989). Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1988-1989. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute, Inc. Practice Areas: Workers Compensation; Labor and Employment.Email: Eric K. Kuhn

Jay M. Rector (Member) born Vinton, Iowa, 1959; admitted to bar, 1989, Kansas. Education: Iowa State University (B.S., 1981); University of Iowa (J.D., 1989). Order of the Coif. Associate Editor, Journal of Corporation Law, 1988-1989. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Employee Benefits; Education Law.Email: Jay M. Rector

Stewart T. Weaver (Member) born Pratt, Kansas, 1964; admitted to bar, 1990, Kansas. Education: St. Mary of the Plains College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1987); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 1990). ?it?>Member: Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Council. Practice Areas: Trusts and Estates; Wills; Probate; Taxation; Business Law.Email: Stewart T. Weaver

Mark A. Biberstein (Member) born Emporia, Kansas, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, Kansas. Education: Emporia State University (B.S., 1988); University of Kansas (J.D., 1992). Order of the Coif. Associate Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1991-1992. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute, Inc. Practice Areas: Litigation; Commercial Law; Products Liability; Professional Liability; Insurance Defense; Business Law; Complex and Multi-District Litigation.Email: Mark A. Biberstein

Boyd A. Byers (Member) born Denison, Iowa, 1967; admitted to bar, 1993, Kansas. Education: Midland College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1990); University of Iowa (J.D., with high distinction, 1993). Articles Editor, Journal of Corporation Law, 1992-1993. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Boyd A. Byers

Todd N. Tedesco (Member) born Winchester, Massachusetts, 1968; admitted to bar, 1992, Kansas. Education: Auburn University (B.I.E., 1989); Washington University; University of Miami (J.D., magna cum laude, 1992). Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Labor and Employment; Intellectual Property; Business Law; Antitrust and Trade Regulation.Email: Todd N. Tedesco

David E. Rogers (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, 1962; admitted to bar, 1987, Kansas, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas and U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit. Education: University of Kansas (B.S., 1984; J.D., 1987). Member: Defense Research Institute; Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Product Liability Advisory Council. Practice Areas: Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Products Liability; Labor and Employment; Professional Liability; Insurance Defense.Email: David E. Rogers

Holly A. Dyer (Member) born Topeka, Kansas, 1965; admitted to bar, 1994, Kansas. Education: Wichita State University (B.A., 1988); University of Kansas (J.D., 1994). Order of the Coif. Recipient, President's Award, Wichita Bar Association, 2007. Articles Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1993-1994. Member: Wichita Bar Association (Board of Governors, 2008-2010); Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Insurance Defense; Medical Malpractice; Professional Liability; Export Compliance.Email: Holly A. Dyer

Timothy P. O'Sullivan (Member) born Hutchinson, Kansas, 1946; admitted to bar, 1975, Kansas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit; 1982, U.S. Tax Court; 1994, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: St. Louis University (B.S., 1969); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., with honors, 1975); University of Missouri, Kansas City (LL.M. in Taxation, 1983). Phi Delta Phi; Phi Kappa Phi. Assistant Comments Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1974-1975. Adjunct Associate Professor: Estate Planning, Washburn University School of Law, 1990—; Estate Planning, University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Law, 1996-2000. Adjunct Professor, Estate Planning, University of Miami School of Law, 1996-2000. Member, Kansas House of Representatives, 1979-1982. Member: Kansas (Member: Executive Committee, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, 1980—; Executive Committee, Taxation Section, 1983—) and American (Vice-Chair, Significant Probate and Trust Decisions Committee, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, 1993—) Bar Associations. Fellow: American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Practice Areas: Trusts and Estates; Taxation; Probate; Wills.Email: Timothy P. O'Sullivan

Donald D. Berner (Member) born Pana, Illinois, 1969; admitted to bar, 1997, Kansas. Education: Park College (B.S., 1992); Washburn University (J.D., 1997). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Immigration and Naturalization; Employee Benefits.Email: Donald D. Berner

William P. Matthews (Member) born Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1972; admitted to bar, 1997, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: Oklahoma State University (B.S., with honors, 1994); University of Kansas (J.D., 1997). Note and Comment Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1996-1997. Practice Areas: Intellectual Property; Business Law; Trademarks; Trade Secrets; Franchises and Franchising.Email: William P. Matthews

Shannon D. Wead (Member) born South Bend, Indiana, 1967; admitted to bar, 1997, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: Drury College (B.S., History and Political Science, 1992); Washburn University (J.D., 1997). Practice Areas: Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Insurance Defense; Bankruptcy; Debtor and Creditor.Email: Shannon D. Wead

Karl N. Hesse (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, 1965; admitted to bar, 1992, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; 1994, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: Wichita State University (B.S., magna cum laude, 1987); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., cum laude, 1992). Phi Kappa Phi. Phi Delta Phi (Magister, 1991-1992). 1992 J. Will Pless International Law Graduate of the Year. Assistant Comments Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1991-1992. Author: "An End to the Parental Preference Doctrine in Parent-Nonparent Custody Disputes?" 30 Washburn Law Journal 538, 1991. Assistant Comments Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1991-1992. Practice Areas: Business Law; Children; Probate; Education Law; Energy.Email: Karl N. Hesse

Scott C. Palecki (Member) born Wellington, Kansas, 1971; admitted to bar, 1996, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; 1997, Missouri; 1998, U.S. Tax Court. Education: Washburn University of Topeka (B.A., summa cum laude, 1992; J.D., cum laude, 1996). Member: Topeka, Kansas and American Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar; Sam A. Crow American Inns of Court. Practice Areas: Health Care; Business Law; Real Estate; Taxation; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures.Email: Scott C. Palecki

Michael J. Norton (Member) born Waurika, Oklahoma, 1973; admitted to bar, 1998, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: Cameron University (B.A., 1995); Texas Tech University (J.D., 1998). Practice Areas: Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Products Liability; Construction Law; Intellectual Property.Email: Michael J. Norton

Patricia Voth Blankenship (Member) born Goessel, Kansas, 1973; admitted to bar, 1998, Kansas. Education: Washburn University (B. of Public Admin., summa cum laude, 1995; J.D., 1997). Practice Areas: Real Estate; Agricultural Law; Business Law.Email: Patricia Voth Blankenship

Andrew J. Nolan (Member) born Hutchinson, Kansas, 1972; admitted to bar, 1998, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; 2001, U.S. Tax Court; 2002, U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Education: University of Kansas (B.A., 1995; J.D., 1998); New York University (LL.M., 1999). Phi Beta Kappa; Order of the Coif. Editor, Kansas Law Review. Graduate Editor, Tax Law Review. Practice Areas: Taxation; Real Estate; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Business Law; Health Care; Trusts and Estates.Email: Andrew J. Nolan

Carolyn L. Matthews (Member) born Independence, Kansas, 1973; admitted to bar, 1997, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; 1998, Missouri; 2000, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. Education: Washburn University of Topeka (B.A., 1994); University of Kansas (J.D., 1997). Order of the Coif. Member: Kansas Bar Association; The Missouri Bar. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Carolyn L. Matthews

Forrest T. Rhodes (Member) born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1968; admitted to bar, 2000, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: University of Kansas (B.S., 1991; J.D., 1999). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Forrest T. Rhodes

Jason P. Lacey (Member) born McPherson, Kansas, 1975; admitted to bar, 2000, Kansas; 2002, U.S. Tax Court; 2003, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; 2004, Missouri. Education: Wichita State University (B.M., summa cum laude, 1997); University of Kansas (J.D., 2000); New York University (LL.M., 2001). Order of the Coif. Articles Editor, University of Kansas Law Review. Graduate Editor, Tax Law Review. Member: Wichita, Kansas and American (Member, Taxation Section) Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar. Practice Areas: Taxation; Employee Benefits; ERISA; Deferred Compensation; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures.Email: Jason P. Lacey

Kyle J. Steadman (Member) born Wichita, Kansas, September 13, 1968; admitted to bar, 1995, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., 1995). Member: Kansas Trial Lawyers Association; Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Practice Areas: Professional Malpractice; Insurance Defense; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation.Email: Kyle J. Steadman

RETIRED PARTNERS

Richard D. Ewy (Retired Partner) born Stafford, Kansas, 1940; admitted to bar, 1965, Kansas, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Kansas State University (B.S., 1962); University of Kansas (J.D., 1965). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Commercial Law; Litigation; Alternative Dispute Resolution.Email: Richard D. Ewy

Frederick L. Haag (Retired Partner) born Hutchinson, Kansas, 1940; admitted to bar, 1965, Kansas. Education: Wichita State University (A.B., 1962); University of Kansas (J.D., 1965). Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1964-1965. Member: Kansas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Fellow: Kansas Bar Foundation. Practice Areas: Workers Compensation.Email: Frederick L. Haag

OF COUNSEL

Robert L. Howard (Of Counsel) born Emporia, Kansas, 1930; admitted to bar, 1959, Kansas; 1971, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Emporia State University (B.A., 1952); University of Kansas (LL.B., with distinction, 1959). Order of the Coif. Associate Editor, University of Kansas Law Review, 1958. Member: Federal Circuit Bar Association; American Academy of Appellate Lawyers; International Association of Defense Counsel; Kansas Association of Defense Counsel. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers; American Bar Foundation; Kansas Bar Foundation. Practice Areas: Mediation; Arbitration; Appellate Practice; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation.Email: Robert L. Howard

Charles J. Woodin (Of Counsel) born Wichita, Kansas, 1934; admitted to bar, 1961, Kansas. Education: Yale University (B.S., 1956); University of Kansas (LL.B., with distinction, 1961). Order of the Coif. Editor-in-Chief, University of Kansas Law Review, 1961. Member, Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association; American Society of Corporate Secretaries. Practice Areas: Natural Resources; Energy.Email: Charles J. Woodin

SPECIAL COUNSEL

David M. Traster (Special Counsel) born Dodge City, Kansas, 1955; admitted to bar, 1981, Kansas. Education: Oral Roberts University (B.A., 1978); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., 1981). General Counsel, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1988-1991. Member: Topeka Bar Association. Practice Areas: Environmental Law; Natural Resources; Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation.Email: David M. Traster

A. J. "Jack" Focht (Special Counsel) born Omaha, Nebraska, 1934; admitted to bar, 1960, Kansas; 1962, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit; 1976, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Southwestern College (A.B., 1957); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., with honors, 1960). Board of Editors, Washburn Law Journal, 1958-1960. Member: Wichita (President, 1980-1981), Kansas (Vice-President, 1987-1988; President-Elect, 1988-1989; President, 1989-1990; Board of Governors, 1990-1991) and American Bar Associations; Kansas Board of Law Examiners; Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission (Chair, 1993—); Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers; National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys; American Health Lawyers Association. American Bar Foundation; American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Health Care; Litigation; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Fraud and Deceit; Education Law; Municipal Law.Email: A. J. "Jack" Focht

Gordon G. Kirsten, II (Special Counsel) born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1965; admitted to bar, 1999, Minnesota and U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota; 2003, Wisconsin; 2007, Kansas. Education: University of Wisconsin (B.S., 1993; M.S., 1995); William Mitchell College of Law (J.D., 1999). Member: Kansas, Minnesota State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin. Practice Areas: Business Law; Intellectual Property; Private Equity; Venture Capital; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Securities.Email: Gordon G. Kirsten, II

C. Edward Watson (Special Counsel) born Arkansas City, Kansas, 1964; admitted to bar, 1990, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; 2004, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin; 2007, Kansas. Education: University of Kansas (B.A., 1983); Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1990). Member: The Tax Lawyer. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Civil Litigation; Complex Litigation; Government Relations; Administrative Law.Email: C. Edward Watson

Jeffrey B. Hurt (Special Counsel) born November 6, 1951; admitted to bar, 1989, Kansas. Education: Wichita State University (B.A., 1973); University of Missouri at Kansas City (B.S., Pharmaceutical, 1976); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., with honors, 1989). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment Law; Litigation; Business Law.Email: Jeffrey B. Hurt

ASSOCIATES

Brooke Bennett Aziere (Associate) born Wichita, Kansas, May 13, 1978; admitted to bar, 2003, Kansas. Education: Friends University (B.A, magna cum laude, 2000); University of Kansas School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2003). Order of the Coif. Recipient, Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement. Phi Kappa Phi. Articles Editor, Kansas Law Review. Practice Areas: Commercial and Complex Litigation; Insurance Defense; Professional Malpractice.Email: Brooke Bennett Aziere

Eric M. Pauly (Associate) born Wichita, Kansas, 1981; admitted to bar, 2008, Kansas. Education: Colorado State University (B.S., cum laude, 2003); Washburn University of Topeka School of Law (J.D., 2008); New York University (LL.M., Taxation, 2009). Member, Washburn Law Journal. Member: Wichita Bar Association. Practice Areas: Taxation.Email: Eric M. Pauly

Andrew P. Thengvall (Associate) born Clinton, Iowa, 1974; admitted to bar, 2004, Kansas. Education: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, (B.S. in B.A., 1997; J.D.,with distinction, 2003; M.B.A., 2003). Practice Areas: Business Law; Franchises and Franchising; Commercial Banking; Securities Law; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Venture Capital; Private Equity.Email: Andrew P. Thengvall

Christopher L. Arellano (Associate) born Dumas, Texas, 1978; admitted to bar, 2004, Kansas. Education: University of Kansas (B.S., 2001); University of Michigan (J.D., 2004). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Business Law; Real Estate; Health Law.Email: Christopher L. Arellano

Shannon L. Bell (Associate) born Wichita, Kansas, 1978; admitted to bar, 2005, Kansas. Education: Wichita State University (B.G.S., cum laude, 2002); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 2005). Member, Washburn Law Journal, 2003-2005. Practice Areas: Professional Malpractice; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Insurance Defense; Health Care.Email: Shannon L. Bell

Alicia E. Bodecker (Associate) born Wichita, Kansas, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Kansas; registered to practice before U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Education: University of Kansas (B.S., 2002; J.D., 2005). Order of the Coif. Member, University of Kansas Law Review, 2003-2005. Practice Areas: Environmental Law; Intellectual Property.Email: Alicia E. Bodecker

Bradley C. Mirakian (Associate) born Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Kansas. Education: Kansas State University (B.S., 2002); University of Kansas (J.D., 2005). Managing Editor, Kansas Law Review, 2004-2005. Practice Areas: Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Litigation; Civil Litigation; Complex Litigation; Construction Litigation.Email: Bradley C. Mirakian

Mindy J. Olson (Associate) born Iowa City, Iowa, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Massachusetts; 2007, Kansas. Education: Middlebury College (B.A., magna cum laude 2000); University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with highest distinction, 2005). Order of the Coif. Practice Areas: Business Law; Securities Law; Construction Law.Email: Mindy J. Olson

Charles R. Curran (Associate) born 1978; admitted to bar, 2007, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.S., with highest honors, 2001); The University of North Texas Health Science Center (M.P.H., 2004); Baylor University Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 2007). Technical Editor, Baylor Law Review, 2006-2007. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Complex Litigation.Email: Charles R. Curran

F. Robert Smith (Associate) born Urbana, Illinois, 1974; admitted to bar, 2007, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: Oklahoma State University (B.S., 1997); University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 2007). Recipient: Native American Law Certificate, University of Oklahoma College of Law, 2007. Writing Competition Editor, American Indian Law Review., 2006-2007 Member: American Intellectual Property Law Association. Practice Areas: Business Law; Taxation; Life Sciences; Biotechnology.Email: F. Robert Smith

Teresa L. Shulda (Associate) born Galveston, Texas, 1972; admitted to bar, 2002, New Mexico; 2006, Colorado; 2008, Kansas; U.S. District Court, District of Colorado; U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico. Education: University of Kansas (B.A., 1994); Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (Master of Forestry, 1997); University of Colorado (J.D., 2002). Member: The Colorado, Kansas and American Bar Associations; State Bar of New Mexico. Practice Areas: Employment Law; Commercial Litigation.Email: Teresa L. Shulda

Francis J. Baalmann (Associate) born Wichita, Kansas, 1982; admitted to bar, 2008, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Education: Newman University (B.S., magna cum laude, 2005); University of Kansas (J.D., 2007). Recipient: Robert E. Edmonds Prize, 2006-2007; Hinkle Elkouri Federal Tax Procedure Award, 2007. Member, Kansas Law Review. Law Clerk to Hon. Judge Clark V. Owens, Sedgwick County District Court, 2008. Intern, Hon. Judge Dale L. Somers, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Topeka, Fall 2007. Practice Areas: Employee Benefits; ERISA; Deferred Compensation; Taxation.Email: Francis J. Baalmann

Christine A. Louis (Associate) born Orange City, Iowa, 1981; admitted to bar, 2008, Kansas. Education: University of Northern Iowa (B.A., magna cum laude, 2004); University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., 2008). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Litigation; Civil Litigation; Complex Litigation.Email: Christine A. Louis

Charles E. McClellan (Associate) born Provo, Utah, 1976; admitted to bar, 2008, Kansas. Education: University of California, Davis (B.A., 2001); University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with honors, 2008). Order of the Coif. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Charles E. McClellan