Members In The News

Foulston Siefkin LLP Adds Briana Cowell in Kansas City Office

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Associate attorney Briana Cowell has joined Foulston Siefkin LLP’s litigation practice in the firm’s Kansas City office, deepening the firm’s construction and litigation team.

Briana represents insurance carriers in civil litigation in both state and federal court. She has experience litigating disputes in the areas of commercial trucking, propane-related explosions and fires, motor vehicle accidents, and product liability. Prior to joining Foulston, Briana primarily handled insurance defense cases at other firms in the Kansas City area. Before entering private practice, she attended the University of Kansas School of Law to earn her Juris Doctor, where she was selected to receive the Ad Astra Scholarship and served as staff editor of the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. She interned at an association and a state commission before finishing law school. Briana graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies & International Studies with Emphasis in Latin America. Briana is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association, the Johnson County Bar Association, the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, and the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. She is a member of the Earl E. O’Connor Inn of Court, has participated in the Wyandotte County Expungement Clinic, and served as a volunteer judge for two Kansas City mock trial competitions.

As the largest law firm based in Kansas, with offices in Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita, Foulston Siefkin LLP provides legal services to a broad range of clients — from large national and international corporations to closely held businesses and individuals. Foulston’s lawyers are consistently recognized as among the leading lawyers in the United States. For more than 100 years, Foulston’s lawyers have provided counsel in a wide range of practice areas, including civil and complex litigation, tax, business matters, employment and labor, and healthcare. For more information, contact Tammy Allen, chief marketing officer, at 316.291.9572, tallen@foulston.com; or visit www.foulston.com.

KBA Represented by ABA Delegates at the Toronto Meeting.

The Kansas delegation to the American Bar Association House of Delegates met in Toronto for the 2025 ABA Annual Meeting. The House of Delegates passed more than 50 policy matters including core professional responsibilities (such as lawyer well-being, ethics, and regulation of legal services), access to justice (including reforms for underserved communities, criminal justice improvements, and civil legal aid), and emerging legal frontiers (like technology, AI, and data privacy).  

Pictured from left to right: Rachael Pirner (State Delegate), Diana Stanley (Kansas Bar Association Young Lawyer Delegate), Dennis Depew (Kansas Bar Association Delegate), and Joslyn Kusiak (Kansas Bar Association Delegate).

Baker Sterchi Welcomes New Attorney in Kansas City

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice is pleased to announce the addition of an associate attorney. Brandon MacDonald joins the firm in Kansas City.

MacDonald’s practice focuses on civil defense litigation, representing clients in matters involving personal injury, premises liability, insurance coverage and bad faith claims. Before joining the firm, he practiced at a Kansas City-area law firm handling a broad range of civil and commercial litigation matters, including insurance coverage analyses, litigation risk assessment and motion practice.

MacDonald earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he served as Executive Articles Editor for the Journal of Legislation. He received his undergraduate degree in economics, cum laude, from Xavier University, where he captained the NCAA Division I men’s tennis team. He is licensed to practice in Missouri and Kansas.

Distinguished Alumna Named

The USD 373 Education Endowment selected Laura Ice as one of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni award recipients. This award recognizes outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves in a significant way since graduating from high school. Recipients are honored this week and added to a plaque on the wall inside Newton High School.

Laura Ice (1976) has built an exceptional legal and corporate career. After earning her education degree from the University of Kansas and briefly teaching English at NHS, Laura followed her passion for law, graduating from Washburn University School of Law in 1984. She became a partner at the Adams Jones Law Firm in Wichita before transitioning to Textron Financial Corporation in 1997, where she rose to Senior Vice President and General Counsel. In that role, she oversaw complex international finance transactions, helping expand Textron’s global reach. Laura’s professional excellence has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Kansas Bar Association Professionalism Award, the Wichita Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kansas Bar Association President, and her current role as Immediate Past President of the Kansas Bar Association. A role model of integrity, leadership, and service, Laura credits her success to the strong foundation she received from Newton Public Schools and continues to champion public education as a cornerstone of opportunity.

Scott Kreamer Elected President of Lawyers for Civil Justice

Scott Kreamer, managing member of Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, has been elected president of Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ). His election took place during LCJ’s recent spring membership meeting in Washington, D.C.

Lawyers for Civil Justice is a national coalition of companies, law firms and defense bar organizations that advocate for reform of procedural litigation rules to promote the just, speedy and inexpensive resolution of civil claims. LCJ’s recent focus areas include multidistrict litigation, expert evidence standards, discovery cost allocation, third-party litigation funding disclosure, and privacy and cybersecurity.

In remarks during the meeting, Kreamer outlined his priorities for the year ahead, including continued support for the amended Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and adoption of a uniform disclosure rule for third-party litigation funding. He also highlighted implementation of proposed Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16.1, governing early management of multidistrict litigation, and addressed emerging issues such as class action reform and the role of artificial intelligence in evidence.

“Scott Kreamer is an outstanding advocate for litigation reform, and LCJ is fortunate to have his leadership as we continue to advance our civil litigation rule reform agenda” said LCJ Executive Director Dan Steen. “He brings a wealth of trial experience and a strong, practical vision for improving litigation. With his leadership and vision for our advocacy program, LCJ is well positioned to advocate for adoption and implementation of new and amended rules to improve civil litigation efficiency and fairness.”

Kreamer has played an active role in LCJ’s advocacy efforts, including support for the amendment to Rule 702, which took effect Dec. 1, 2023. The amended rule requires judges to find that expert testimony is more likely than not to meet admissibility standards before being presented to a jury. “I’m honored to serve as president of Lawyers for Civil Justice and to continue advancing efforts that promote fairness, efficiency and balance in our civil justice system. The robust growth of LCJ’s membership is a testament to our effective advocacy for reforms to the rules of civil procedure,” said Kreamer. At Baker Sterchi, Kreamer focuses his national trial practice on commercial, construction, financial services, insurance and product liability matters. He frequently serves as national coordinating counsel and MDL liaison counsel for major corporations and has tried more than 30 cases in state and federal courts. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a past president of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel.

Wichita Bar Association Honors Dan Monnat with Lifetime Achievement Award

The Wichita Bar Association has honored criminal defense attorney Dan Monnat with its 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given to a member whose sustained superior performance and accomplishments have brought credit and recognition to the profession. Notably, the recipient must have demonstrated exemplary ethical standards and high personal values. Monnat, who has practiced in Kansas and Nebraska for nearly 50 years, has earned a national reputation for his staunch defense of high-profile – though sometimes unpopular – people, companies, and causes.

“The WBA represents more than 1,000 lawyers in the Wichita area, and I am beyond humbled by their selection of me to receive this honor,” Monnat said. “We have an incredibly dedicated field of attorneys in Wichita, and I am always cognizant of the enormous debt I owe to my mentors and allies in the bar. I am grateful for my WBA colleagues and know that we will always stand together, bound by our passion for this profession and our love of the Constitution.”

Monnat’s clients over the years have put him in the national spotlight for high-stakes criminal defense, white-collar criminal defense, appellate defense, and bet-the-company litigation. His cases have garnered major media attention, to name a few:

•             The acquittal of an internationally recognized late-term abortion provider

•             His defense of a Catholic priest accused of sex crimes with altar boys

•             The successful defense of an innocent man wrongfully accused of being the notorious serial-killer BTK

•             The acquittals of a celebrated local football coach accused of sex crimes

•             After two hung-juries, along with co-defendant’s counsel, Kurt Kerns, the dismissal of all charges against
               a Western Kansas couple accused of first-degree murder

•             The complete acquittal of a Dodge City young adult accused of shaken baby first-degree murder and
               other murder, sex, and white-collar prosecutions.

While defense of clients has been Monnat’s top priority, he has also devoutly defended the legal profession itself, including his 1994 stance where he refused – on ethical, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment grounds – to provide the IRS with the names of individuals who had made cash payments on behalf of Dan’s clients. The IRS filed a federal lawsuit against Dan to compel him to name names. Lauding Dan’s duty as an attorney, United States District Court Judge Patrick Kelly wrote, “it is a relationship different from any other in our society, save for the confessor or physician. In the Court’s view, it is a sacred trust and should not be intruded in.”

A member of the WBA for 49 years, Dan has taught numerous CLE seminars for the organization on such topics as illegal search and seizure, drug detection dogs, trial techniques, and federal sentencing. He has also served on its Criminal Practice Committee.

Monnat is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, the American Bar Foundation, and the Kansas Bar Foundation. He is a Life Member and past Board Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Monnat also currently sits on the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association’s Board of Editors and is the Criminal Law Chair.

Monnat has been named five times to the Top 10 List of Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers and has been included among the Top 100 Missouri & Kansas attorneys for nearly 20 years. He has also been named among the Best Lawyers in America for more than 35 years. Earlier this year, he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, of which he was formerly a President.

A cum laude graduate of California State University in San Francisco, Monnat earned a Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law and is a graduate of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College.

Monnat & Spurrier was founded in 1985 by Monnat and legal scholar Stan Spurrier. Today the firm has four lawyers and works in all sectors of criminal defense, white-collar criminal defense, and criminal appeals. See more at Monnat.com 

Kurtis Loy named chief judge of 11th Judicial District

The Kansas Supreme Court appointed District Judge Kurtis Loy to serve as chief judge of the 11th Judicial District from April 7 through December 31.

Loy fills the unexpired term of Judge Lori Bolton Fleming, who was appointed to the Kansas Court of Appeals.

The 11th Judicial District is composed of Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties.

“We appreciate Judge Loy taking on the responsibilities of chief judge to provide leadership continuity for the 11th Judicial District,” said Marla Luckert, chief justice of the Supreme Court. “We look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Loy has been a judge in the 11th Judicial District since 2013.

"I am honored to be selected by Chief Justice Luckert to serve as chief judge,” Loy said. “I look forward to assuming the responsibility of the position."

Loy earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pittsburg State University and his law degree from Washburn University School of Law. He was in private practice before becoming a judge. Loy is a member of the Kansas District Judges Association, Kansas Bar Association, Crawford County Bar Association, and the Kansas Bar Foundation.

Jennifer N. Horchem Joins Depew Gillen Rathbun & McInteer LC

Depew Gillen Rathbun & McInteer LC is excited to announce the addition of Jennifer N. Horchem to the firm. With over a decade of experience in the oil and gas industry, Jennifer's practice will focus on oil and gas (upstream and midstream), title examination, and due diligence. Her practice will also focus on renewables, general business transactions, and commercial real estate. Prior to joining the firm, Jennifer served as Associate General Counsel and Vice President-Land Administration at Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. and later practiced at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP in Denver.

Attorney’s Practice Grows by Niching Down

Most attorneys who want to grow their practice mine widely for prospects with time-intensive exploratory lunch dates and networking events. But attorney Bill Quick, partner at Polsinelli PC, Kansas City, did just the opposite to grow his practice. Instead of reaching out, he homed in on a precise niche.

Quick has worked as Chief Legal Counsel for portfolio companies and family offices. Two years ago, he founded and co-leads Polsinelli’s practice group around the new Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).

“I actually started the CTA focus to follow my curiosity,” Quick explains, “I soon saw how expertise in this area would distinguish my practice brand. It also illustrates the proactive approach I bring to my clients.”

Quick’s niche-down approach to practice development generated significant national visibility, establishing him as one of the nation’s go-to resources on the CTA. His tactics and results included:

• Writing “The Corporate Transparency Act Desk Book,” a guide for business owners, management, beneficial owners and their professional advisors about compliance and filing complexities, available as a free pdf from KU Scholarworks;
• Creating and teaching a first-of-its-kind law school course on Corporate Transparency at the Polsinelli Transaction Law Center at the University of Kansas Law School;
• Receiving a 2025 JD Supra Reader’s Choice Award, which honors top authors and law firms for thought leadership in key legal topics;
• Presenting in-person and virtually to trade and industry groups, chambers of commerce, professional associations, client groups, conferences and other public and private forums;
• Media placements in news, industry and professional periodicals and journals;
• Citation in third parties’ amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court and several U.S. Circuit Courts; and
• Engagement on LinkedIn and other social media outlets.

“What I’ve learned is that I’m good at trend-spotting, and I like the process of building a practice specialty,” Quick reports.

Building on his success with the CTA, Quick now is preparing for an additional practice focus on Venture Studios. With better outcomes than incubators and accelerators, the Venture Studios’ business model has captured attention particularly among successful entrepreneurs with family offices that seek more stable and higher investment returns than in legacy approaches to startup ventures.

Quick encourages other attorneys to niche down.

“I get it, it’s counterintuitive to focus smaller when you want to grow bigger,” Quick says, encouraging others to find their own unique niche. “But I’ve found that the more I focus, the more I can accomplish for my clients’ benefit and practice growth.”

About Bill Quick
Bill brings nearly 30 years of experience to his corporate counsel practice focused on managing the corporate portfolios of business enterprises that have an array of corporate, finance, transactional and related legal needs, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, asset and equity purchases and sales, Corporate Transparency Act compliance, strategic alliances and joint ventures, and operational exigencies. Read more about Bill’s experience, publications, accomplishments, and community engagement.

Kutak Rock Celebrates 60 Years of Excellence and Growth

Kutak Rock is proud to announce its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of dedicated service to clients and a legacy of innovation, collaboration and success. From its humble beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska in 1965 to its presence in 19 locations across the nation today, the firm has grown to become a respected leader in the legal industry.

Over the past 60 years, Kutak Rock has continually expanded its footprint, opening offices in key markets to meet the needs of its clients and communities. Highlights of the firm’s journey include:

• 1965: Founded in Omaha, Nebraska
• 1977: Expansion to Denver, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
• 1989-1999: Growth to Phoenix (1990, relocating to Scottsdale in 1999), Little Rock (1989), and Pasadena, California (1994)
• 2000s: Opening offices in Richmond, Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis
• 2010s: New locations in Spokane, Rogers and Springfield
• 2021: Most recent expansion to Tallahassee, Florida

Kutak Rock’s successful growth is a testament to its deep commitment to fostering long-lasting client relationships and creating a supportive, dynamic environment for its team members.

John Petr, Chair of Kutak Rock, shared, “Our assets are our people—dedicated, creative and committed individuals who bring energy and expertise to serve our clients every day. For 60 years, these talented professionals have partnered with our clients to achieve their objectives, address their concerns and realize their vision.   It’s a milestone worth celebrating, but also a reminder that our work begins anew each day as we build the future together.”

Hilary Jackler, Vice Chair of Kutak Rock, added, “The foundation laid by our predecessors has steadily grown over the decades. While we have evolved in many ways, the core principles that defined our early days—dedication to our clients, colleagues and communities—remain unchanged. Each member of Kutak Rock has played a crucial role in building the unique and stable firm we are today.”

Together, the firm has supported thousands of clients in achieving their goals while creating a workplace defined by collaboration and shared purpose. From three founders to more than 1,000 firm members, Kutak Rock’s growth has been driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to innovation, enabling it to see and pursue opportunities that others overlook.

For more information about Kutak Rock’s history, please click here.