Celebrating Achievements

WASHBURN

LAWYERWe welcome your suggestions about this publication. Please write, phone, email, or visit our website. Letters to the editor and news of jobs and honors are always welcome. Please include your name, class year, address, and daytime phone number. Letters to the editor may be edited for length and clarity.

Write to:Editor, Washburn LawyerWashburn University School of LawAlumni Relations 1700 SW College Ave.Topeka, KS 66621Telephone: 785.670.1011Fax: 785.670.3249Email: alumni@washburnlaw.eduWeb: washburnlaw.edu/alumni

Editor Karli DavisDirector, Alumni Relations

WritersAnnie FlachsbarthAngela LutzSarah Towle

DesignerDanielle Smith

PhotographersKaren Engel PhotographyNick KrugEarl RichardsonMichael C. SnellBarry StaverDoug StremelJeff TuttleJeremy WanglerMartin Wisneski

It is truly an exciting time for legal education, and Washburn University School of Law is leading the way. I am proud to announce Washburn is the first law school to launch an out-of-residence enrollment option for third-year students that will allow students to complete their final year of law school from the city or town where they intend to practice after graduating. We call this our Third Year AnywhereTM enrollment option, and we are excited by the reception this curricular innovation has received. One national media outlet referred to it as “revolutionary” and “just what legal education needs,” and the National Jurist called it “innovative.” Washburn Law has always had a strong reputation for creating practice-ready lawyers, and this enrollment opportunity will build on that already strong reputation.

It is also an exciting time for Washburn Law because we are celebrating Dean Jim Concannon’s achievements as a dean, teacher, and scholar. When many people think of Washburn Law they think of Jim, and rightfully so. Jim was the law school’s second longest serving dean and is the longest serving faculty member with 47 years of teaching at Washburn Law. Although Jim was set to retire at the end of this academic year, we were able to convince him to stay with us for at least one more year. While we are postponing a retirement celebration until Jim actually retires, we wanted to dedicate this issue of the Washburn Lawyer to him. In the pages that follow, we pay tribute to a remarkable man and his exceptional career at Washburn Law.

Sincerely,

Carla PrattDean, Washburn University School of Law

Dean Pratt meets with students during the “Donuts with the Dean” event. Photo by Martin Wisneski