The Next Generation

Recent Grads on the Move

Marlee Carpenter ’99Marlee Carpenter is passionate about politics. Asdirector of Taxation and Small Business for theKansas Chamber of Commerce & Industry, she putsthat passion to work lobbying business tax, tortreform and retail issues before the Kansas Legislature.In her position, she closely reviews bills, rules andregulations to gauge their impact on the businesscommunity and regularly speaks with legislators aboutthe issues before them—hard work, but work sheclearly enjoys. “To have the ability to influencewhether a bill gets passed or killed is something veryexciting,” said Carpenter.

During her four years with KCCI, Carpenter hasworked successfully on several key pieces of legisla-tion, including increasing the income tax credit forproperty taxes paid, civil recovery for juvenileshoplifting, worthless check legislation and passage ofthe integrated plant sales tax theory.

Although a law degree is not a prerequisite forbecoming a lobbyist, said Carpenter, it helps. “I usethe skills I learned in law school everyday when Iresearch issues, write testimony or speak before aHouse or Senate committee.” Carpenter believes thathaving an open mind and learning how to compro-mise are also important to being an effective lobbyist.“In a legislative session, you may not get everythingyou ask for, but building political good will and agood case for your issue will put you miles ahead of

This section focuses on alumni who are having early career successes that the pioneer alumnaecould have only dreamed of decades ago. These are alumni whose careers bear watching as theyquickly maneuver through the public and private world to conquer the challenges that lie ahead andto encourage others to do the same.

Paul Davis ’98Paul Davis understands the importance of publicservice, a quality he attributes to formerCongressman Jim Slattery ‘75, who he onceworked for and who has had, in Davis’ words, “abig influence on my career.” “To me, Jim embod-ies everything that we should want in a lawyerand elected official: honesty, integrity and a greatrespect for the process,” Davis said.

Last year, Davis saw a new opportunity to servethe public when Rep. Troy Findley resigned hisposition to serve as legislative liaison for Gov.

others the next legislative session.”Carpenter’s responsibilities also include directingthe KCCI’s political action committee, where sheresearches candidates and makes recommenda-tions to the PAC’s board of directors. “To beinvolved in political elections and support thosecandidates who you can believe in and help themget elected is very rewarding,” said Carpenter.

Looking ahead, Carpenter sees herself continuingin politics, whether as a lobbyist or working onpolitical campaigns, and her law degree fromWashburn Law will no doubt continue to be anasset. “You don’t have to join a law firm andbecome a traditional lawyer to put your lawdegree to good use,” said Carpenter. ■

28Fall ‘03 / Winter ‘04

Sean Harlow ’02Sean Harlow is assistant director of AlumniRelations at Harvard Law School. Currently he’ssoliciting law firms and Fortune 500 companiesaround the globe to sponsor the law school’sWorldwide Alumni Congress in London. ButHarlow’s interest in academic development canbe traced to more humble beginnings: theWashburn Law School Annual Phonathon.

During his three years at Washburn, Harlow wasactively involved in the school’s annualphonathon, a fundraising event whose proceedsare used for scholarships, technology upgradesand program needs. As a 3L, he served as co-chairof the phonathon and participated in redesigningthe program. According to Harlow, that year theyraised the most money in the School’s history—and perhaps more important, he discovered hiscareer path. “After stepping back and reflectingon what we had accomplished both monetarilyand structurally, I decided that I wanted to pursuea career in academic development,” said Harlow.

A law degree was essential to landing the positionwith Harvard, Harlow said, not because the posi-tion required a great deal of legal expertise, butbecause it required someone who was familiarwith how lawyers think and interact with oneanother. “I sincerely believe that a legal educa-tion is the most important and versatile graduatedegree an individual can attain,” said Harlow,“and that it opens doors even outside the law. Atleast it did for me.”

Opening doors is at the heart of education, andsuccessful development programs are essential toensuring that a school can provide the scholar-ships, research, faculty and courses necessary foreducational excellence. Harlow encouragesWashburn alumni to give back to the school thatgave them so much and, in so doing, open doorsfor future students. “Each of us benefited from thelargesse of those who came before us, and we oweit to the students that follow us to make theexperience better than it was for ourselves.”■

Kathleen Sebelius. “After serving as legislativecounsel for the Kansas Bar Association for almostfour years, I decided to seek a legislative seat,”said Davis. Within days of the start of the 2003session, Davis was elected to the Kansas House ofRepresentatives by the precinct committee per-sons in his district.

Although new to elected office, Davis is no new-comer to government or politics. In addition toworking for Slattery, Davis also served as assistantdirector for government affairs for then-InsuranceCommissioner Kathleen Sebelius. Later, as leg-islative counsel for the Kansas Bar Association,he was actively involved in monitoring legislationand lobbying on behalf of the KBA.

Following his election, Davis resumed his privatelaw practice at Meyer & Davis, L.L.C., inLawrence, where he works primarily in the areaof family law. “I greatly enjoy the opportunity toserve in the Kansas Legislature, especially sincethere is a shortage of lawyers in the Legislatureright now. My law practice… really helps me tobe a better legislator.”

Davis credits Washburn Law with a great deal ofhis professional success and wants to give back tothe school that gave him so much. “I will alwaysbe grateful to the many professors and staff mem-bers who went the extra mile to help provide mewith a superb legal education,” said Davis. “Overthe remainder of my career, I plan to be an activealum and do everything I can to support thefuture of the law school.” ■

29The Washburn Lawyer

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Recent Grads ...

Fall ‘03 / Winter ‘04

McPherson’s commitment to her law practice isequaled by her commitment to her communityand her passion for literacy. An active member of the Junior League of Wichita since 1994,McPherson is currently involved in the organiza-tion’s “Share A Story” project for at-risk kids,which seeks to end intergenerational illiteracy.“I have learned that it is as important to do agood job in the legal work you do as it is to beinvolved in the community in which you prac-tice,” she said. “Your clients are the community.”

Today, McPherson divides her energies betweenher legal work, her husband and two children,and her community. “You can have it all,” shesays. “You can have a demanding legal career,a family and community involvement without sacrificing any aspect of any of those areas. It just takes organization and desire.”

Lisa McPherson ’94

Lisa McPherson’s experience at Washburn Law lendsnew meaning to “family law.” McPherson was thefourth generation in her family to graduate fromWashburn University School of Law. What’s more,she met her husband, Boyd McPherson ’92, whilethey were both students at the law school.

Now a partner in the Wichita law firm Hite,Fanning & Honeyman, L.L.P., McPherson fondlyremembers her graduation day, when she carried thecane that her father, grandmother and great-grandfa-ther before her carried when they graduated. Shedescribes her father, Thomas A. Adrian ‘69, as hergreatest mentor “in law and life.” “[He] taught methe importance of honesty, integrity and hard workto succeed not only as a lawyer but in life generally,”said McPherson.

Her father’s lessons have served McPherson well asshe has advanced from associate to partner practic-ing in the demanding area of medical malpracticedefense litigation. Along the way, she was also guid-ed by other experienced lawyers. “When I was hiredas an associate, I was assigned to a partner…whosepractice was exclusively medical malpractice,”McPherson explained. “He took me under his wingand gave me great experience and provided opportu-nities to try many cases.”

❝I have learned that it is asimportant to do a good job

in the legal work you do as it is to be be involved

in the community in which you practice.❞

-Lisa McPherson