Alumni News


Recent Alumni Notes

Items were received or collected between June 20 and Aug. 31, 2008. Alumni news items may be submitted by e-mail to patti@ku.edu or by visiting the law school’s Web site at www.law.ku.edu – click on Alumni and look for Keep in Touch. We rely on our alumni for the accuracy of information submitted.


1950s

Stanley Nelson, L’50, received a Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Service Award in June at the KBA annual meeting in Topeka. He is with Hampton & Royce LC in Salina.

Justice Fred N. Six, L’56, received the Kansas Bar Association Phil Lewis Medal of Distinction in June at the KBA annual meeting in Topeka.

Gary W. Davis, L’57, who practices in the Oklahoma City office of Crowe & Dunlevy, was recently honored as a leader in his practice area by Chambers & Partners, an international legal publisher. Davis practices in the area of litigation: general commercial. His selection was based on interviews conducted with more than 14,000 attorneys and clients throughout the United States to identify and rank the nation’s leading business lawyers. The rankings are based on factors such as technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

Willard B. Thompson, L’58, received a Wichita Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award in June at the annual WBA Installation and Awards dinner. He was also recognized for his many contributions to the Wichita community, including through many nonprofit organizations.

1960s

Judge Michael Corrigan, L’61, received a Wichita Bar Association President’s Award in June at the annual WBA Installation and Awards dinner. Corrigan received the award for his many years of service to WBA and the Wichita Community, including working with the Kansas Legislature to obtain two new judgeships in Wichita.


1970s

Wally Underhill, L’70, received a Wichita Bar Association newly created one-time Board of Governors Award in June at the annual WBA Installation and Awards dinner. Underhill received the award for his work with impaired lawyers. He has served Wichita lawyers in that capacity for more than 20 years and has saved many lives and professional careers. Underhill now heads up the state Lawyers Assistance Program in Topeka.

John C. Peck, L’74, the Connell Teaching Professor of Law at KU, was honored recently with the “Quiet Rotarian” award, in recognition of his many years of service writing program notes for the Lawrence Rotary NEWS. Peck works tirelessly writing articles about Rotary programs of interest especially to members who have to miss an occasional meeting.

Cal Karlin, L’77, received the Kansas Bar Association Professionalism Award in June at the KBA annual meeting in Topeka. Carlin practices with the Lawrence law firm of Barber Emerson LC.

Julie E. Levin, L’77, received an American Bar Association 2008 Dorsey Award, honoring an outstanding public defender or legal aid lawyer. Levin’s work with Legal Aid of Western Missouri (LAWMO) transformed public housing in Kansas City. In 1989, Levin filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court against the Housing Authority of Kansas City (HAKC) on behalf of tenants of the Theron B. Watkins housing development. Tensley v. Kemp, 750 F.Supp. 1001 (W.D.Mo. 1990), was one of the first cases to allege that HAKC’s failure to maintain hundreds of public housing units constituted de facto demolition of those units and violated Fair Housing laws. Tinsley led to $143 million in construction and renovation of high-quality and affordable public housing in Kansas City and inspired many similar class action suits.

Marie Woodbury, L’79, was recognized in the Kansas City Business Journal’s “2008 Women Who Mean Business” issue. Woodbury is managing partner of the pharmaceutical and medical device division at Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP.



1980s

Judy Nelson, L’80, is an executive coach, keynote speaker and leadership trainer. She has been selected from a nationwide search to be featured in the 1st edition of “Leading the Way to Success.” The book features a number of best-selling authors and offers time-tested strategies for success in frank and intimate interviews. Nelson has 30 years experience as a “coaching CEO.” In addition to a law degree and master’s degree in social work, Nelson is a certified professional coach, public speaker and management trainer specializing in the relationships that make or break great leaders. She also hosts an online radio show called, “Leading the Way to Success.”

Parthenia Evans, L’82, was recognized in the Kansas City Business Journal’s “2008 Women Who Mean Business” issue. Evans is a partner, board member and chairwoman of client development at Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP.

Michele Ticknor Gehres, L’84, has relocated from Tulsa, Okla., to Grangeville, Idaho.

Randall J. Snapp, L’85, who practices in the Tulsa, Okla., office of Crowe & Dunlevy, was recently honored as a leader in his practice area by Chambers & Partners, an international legal publisher. Snapp practices in the area of labor and employment. His selection was based on interviews conducted with more than 14,000 attorneys and clients throughout the United States to identify and rank the nation’s leading business lawyers. The rankings are based on factors such as technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.      

Carol R. Bonebrake, L’86, was appointed by order of the Kansas Supreme Court to the Kansas Impaired Lawyers Assistance Commission for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2008, though June 30, 2011. She previously served on the Commission and has also served as a KLAP volunteer. Bonebrake is in private practice in Topeka with a focus on employment and health law for health and human service organizations.

Bradley A. Stout, L’86, received a Wichita Bar Association President’s Award in June at the annual WBA Installation and Awards dinner. Stout received the award for his work in reducing the tax appraisal on the Law Center building, which resulted in substantial savings.

Stacey L. Janssen, L’88, received a Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Service Award in June at the KBA annual meeting in Topeka. Janssen is practicing with The Law Office of Stacey L. Janssen in Overland Park.



1990s

John Barbian, L’90, is working as a foreign service officer in the economic section of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany.

Clifford Stubbs, L’91, became a member of the Board of Directors at McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips. His practice includes workers’ compensation defense in Kansas and Missouri. Stubbs is a member of the Kansas Bar Association, The Missouri Bar, the American Bar Association and the Wyandotte County Bar Association.

Kimberly Hays, L’93, Tulsa, Okla., has been selected to participate in the Oklahoma Bar Association inaugural Leadership Academic class. Hays was among 28 attorneys selected from around the state. Participants will learn how to communicate and motivate more effectively, leading to greater success not only in law, but also in service to professional, political, judicial, civic and community organizations.

Kellie E. Hogan, L’95, received a Wichita Bar Association President’s Award in June at the annual WBA Installation and Awards dinner. Hogan received the award for her work with the Professional Diversity Committee’s “Grow Your Own Lawyer” Program.  

Margann Bennett, L’96, received a Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Service Award in June at the KBA annual meeting in Topeka. She is director of professional development at the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka.

Mike Mohlman, L’98, was named a shareholder in the Sly James Firm. He has been with the personal injury firm since it was founded in 2002 in Kansas City, Mo. Mohlman, who has been practicing law for 10 years, focuses on the areas of plaintiff's nursing home negligence, medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. He is the president of Missouri Watch, a consumer rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals from wealthy special-interest lobbies. He is the former vice chair of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association's Nursing Home Negligence Committee and a speaker for the National Business Institute.

Hale Sheppard, L’98, is a shareholder in the Atlanta office of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Martin, where he represents clients during federal and state tax audits, criminal tax investigations, tax appeals, and tax litigation. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of the Georgia Bar Journal and the Board of Trustees of the Atlanta Tax Forum. He has recently published articles in the “Practical Tax Lawyer” (Summer 2008), “The Tax Adviser” (April 2008), “Journal of Tax Practice & Procedure” (2008), “The Monthly Digest of Tax Articles” (2008), “The International Tax Journal” (2008) and the “Journal of Passthrough Entities” (2007).

Wesley F. Smith, L’98, has joined the Lawrence law firm of Stevens & Brand LLP. As a partner, Smith’s practice will emphasize bankruptcy, debtor and creditors’ rights and banking law. He was formerly in private practice in Topeka for more than 10 years. Smith also has served at KU Law as an adjunct instructor in Commercial Law since 2002. 

Karrie J. Clinkinbeard, L’99, has been selected by the Missouri Lawyers Weekly as one of Missouri’s rising stars. The 11th annual “Up and Coming Lawyers” issue honored 48 attorneys, who were chosen based on their career achievements and dedication to improving the community. Clinkinbeard is a partner in the Kansas City, Mo., office of Armstrong Teasdale LLP, and is a member of the firm’s Explosion, Fire and Electrocution Practice Group. In addition to fire, explosion and electrocution work, Clinkinbeard also litigates life, health and disability matters.



2000s

Marci Gilligan, L’00, has joined the Denver firm of Kamlet Shepherd as a partner in the white collar defense and criminal defense practice areas. Gilligan specializes in the representation of corporate and individual clients facing criminal and regulatory actions in both state and federal courts.

Drew Roberts, L’02, is the deputy staff judge advocate at Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Okla.

Daniel J. Dye, L’03, is an assistant professor of law at the Phoenix School of Law in Phoenix, and has moved to a tenure-track position teaching Civil Procedure. He previously taught Lawyering Process.

Jack McInnes, L’04, is pleased to announce the birth of daughter, Mira Jane, in June. McInnes is practicing with Shughart Thomson & Kilroy in Kansas City, Mo.

Trevor D. Riddle, L’05, has joined the Wichita law firm of Monnat & Spurrier, Chartered, as a trial attorney. He will practice primarily in the areas of criminal defense, municipal defense and federal criminal law.

Michael DiPasquale, L’06, is vice president of operations for Newport Television in Kansas City, Mo.

Jessie Thompson, L’08, is an associate at Kluin Law Firm in Chanute, Kan.



In Memoriam

Henry A. Goertz, L’84, Bristol, Ind., June 28, 2008
William A. Guilfoyle, L’49, Abilene, Kan., August 6, 2008
Ralph E. Hoke, L’47, Hutchinson, Kan., June 27, 2008
Donald H. Humphreys, L’60, Great Bend, Kan., August 4, 2008
Richard W. Hurd, L’49, Kansas City, Mo., July 21, 2008
Wilbur W. Schmidt, L’58, Kansas City, Mo., August 9, 2008
Gerald L. Wait, L’49, Liberty, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., June 19, 2008