Alumni News

Recent Alumni Notes

Items were received or collected between Nov. 30, 2011 and Jan. 24, 2012. Alumni news items may be submitted by e-mail to patti@ku.edu or by clicking here and filling out the form. We rely on our alumni for the accuracy of information submitted.

1970s

Joseph F. Speelman, L’74, a partner at Blank Rome LLP, Houston, moderated an American Bar Association plenary CLE session, “Where to Draw the Line: When Can the Government Hire Private Lawyers to Prosecute Actions?” at the Environmental, Mass Torts and Products Liability Ligitation Committees’ Joint CLE Seminar held in January 2012 in Hollywood, Fla.

Robert Schmisseur, L’77, retired from his position as district court judge for the 30th Judicial District in Pratt, Kan., at the end of December 2011 and is now the Pratt County attorney.

1980s

Janet Murguia, L’85, president and CEO, National Council of La Raza, has been appointed a commissioner on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Commission. Over the next year, the Commission will craft a package of realistic and actionable policy recommendations that will address the future housing needs of an increasingly diverse American society. The final recommendations will be released in 2013.

Joseph P. Richardson, L’85, has joined Gammage & Burnham in Phoenix. Richardson’s practice focuses on corporate finance and securities, mergers and acquisitions, banking, business and corporate-governance issues.

1990s

Roger Grandgenett II, L’94, was recently named in The Best Lawyers in America 2012. Grandgenett is a shareholder in the Las Vegas office of Littler Mendelson, the nation’s largest employment and labor firm.

Michelle A. Russell, L’94, has been appointed executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of YRC Worldwide in Overland Park, Kan., effective February 2012. Russell recently served as senior vice president and general counsel at Spirit AeroSystems Inc. YRC Worldwide Inc. is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Overland Park and is a leading provider of transportation and global logistics services.

John Wilcox, L’94, has been elected managing director of the Kansas City, Mo., law firm of Dysart Taylor Cotter McMonigle & Montemore PC. Wilcox will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm and will continue his full-time practice in the areas of trucking and transportation, personal injury, employment and criminal litigation.

Christopher Getty, L’98, formerly a deputy county attorney in the Riley County Attorney’s Office, was hired as the Salina, Kan., Municipal Court prosecutor in January 2012.

Brian D. Goodman, L’99, senior practice leader, Resources Global Professionals – Human Options, is one of 48 business leaders in Orange County, Calif., named as On Purpose Honorees and profiled in the 2012 “On Purpose” book. The honorees are some of Orange County’s most accomplished leaders and community service advocates. The book also showcases the myriad of charitable organizations and educational programs supported in the Orange County community, with the aim of educating and inspiring greater involvement and supporting the next generation of philanthropic leaders. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to provide scholarships to Orange County high school seniors to encourage their future leadership and philanthropy.

2000s

Nathan B. Webb, L’00, has been elected a new partner at Emerson Thompson Bennett LCC in Akron, Ohio. Webb is a registered patent attorney who focuses his practice in the area of intellectual property litigation.

Melissa Hoag Sherman and Chris Sherman, both L’01, welcomed their third daughter, Lily Kate, in February 2011. Melissa practices with Lathrop & Gage LLP and Chris with Payne & Jones, Chartered. Both firms are in Overland Park, Kan.

Bradley C. Friesen, L’02, was recognized as one of “North Carolina’s Rising Stars for 2012.” The 2012 Super Lawyer listings appeared in North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine and the North Carolina edition of The New York Times. Friesen practices with Bell, Davis & Pitt PA in Winston-Salem.

Jason C.M. “Jace” McClasky, L’02, is pleased to announce his marriage to Kristin Patton in May 2011 in Kansas City, Mo. McClasky is a partner in the law firm of Short, Borth and Thilges in Overland Park, Kan.

Matthew Corbin, L’03, has been elected as partner in the Overland Park, Kan., office of Lathrop & Gage LLP, where he practices in the area of business litigation.

Terelle A. Mock, L’04, is a partner in the law firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith, practicing in the firm’s Topeka, Kan., office. Mock’s practice focuses on defense of government entities, including counties, cities and school districts against claims involving employment law, civil rights and general torts.

Jonathan W. Davis, L’05, has been named a shareholder and director of the firm Wallace, Saunders, Austin, Brown and Enochs LLP in Overland Park, Kan. He has been with the firm since 2005 and is a member of its litigation and business law practice groups. His practice focuses on litigation, professional negligence defense, including architecture, engineering, medical and real estate, general business and estate planning.

Beth Wegner, L’05, and Buck Wendel, Lenexa, Kan., were married in September 2011 in Lawrence. Beth is the community outreach and crime prevention specialist with the Olathe Police Department.

David R. Lloyd, L’07, is practicing with Finch & Campbell LLP in Kansas City, Mo., where he is doing corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and securities work. Lloyd continues to teach business law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and he and two other attorneys own and operate Method Clothing Boutique.

John P. Smolen, L’07, is practicing with Nossaman LLP in Washington, D.C. He previously practiced with a firm in Baltimore.

Holly M. Perkins, L’08, is practicing with the Lawrence, Kan., law firm of Stevens & Brand LLP.

Alicia Kirkpatrick, L’09, has accepted a position in the Kansas City, Mo., office of Polsinelli Shughart, practicing in the firm's tax department.

Tim Swanson, L’09, has accepted a position in the Kansas City, Mo., office of Stinson Morrison Hecker, practicing in the firm's bankruptcy department.

In Memoriam

James R. Crouch, L’57, Lahaina, Hawaii/Las Cruces, N.M., January 8, 2011
Robert J. Hammer, L’68, Loveland, Colo., November 20, 2011
Lee McMaster, L’61, Wichita, Kan., January 2, 2012
James Ray Moore, L’67, Lawrence, Kan., December 16, 2011
John C. Morse, L’77, Liberty, Mo., April 29, 2011
Judge Robert H. Perry, L’73, Carson City, Nev., December 20, 2011