Ronald W. Nelson’s complete curriculum vitae

RONALD W. NELSON
Principal/President

RONALD W NELSON, PA

7501 College Boulevard; Suite 105
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Telephone: 913.312.2500
Fax: 913.312.2501
mailto: ron[@]ronaldnelsonlaw.com
Twitter®: @KansasDivorce

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

President/Principal (January 2009 – present) – Ronald W Nelson, PA, 7501 College Boulevard, Suite 105, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 (formerly Suite 117, 11900 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66215):

Family Law Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Senior Partner (January 2003 – December 2008) – Nelson & Booth Law Offices, Suite 117, 11900 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66215:

Family Law Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Managing Partner (January 2001 – December 2003) – Rose, Nelson & Booth, Suite 160, 10990 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Managing Partner (January 1994 – December 2000) – Rose & Nelson Law Offices, Suite 160, 10990 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Sole Proprietor  (January 1987 – December 1993) – Ronald W. Nelson Law Office, Suite 300, 11900 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in matrimonial and other domestic relations matters with general civil litigation practice including practice including constitutional law, contracts, collections, general business law, discrimination and civil rights employment law, real estate and other general litigation matters. Significant involvement in appeals before the Kansas appellate courts.

Associate Attorney (January 1985 – December 1986) – Alder & Nelson, Suite 690, 9300 West 110th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

General Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, including product liability, personal injury, automobile negligence, insurance, municipal liability, real estate, labor, and employment law, business and commercial — plaintiff and defense.

Associate Attorney (January 1985 – December, 1986) – Alder, Nelson & McKenna, Suite 690, 9300 West 110th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

General Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, including product liability, personal injury, automobile negligence, insurance, municipal liability, real estate, labor, and employment law, business and commercial — plaintiff and defense.

Law Clerk (May 1980 – May 1981) – Speer, Austin, Holliday, Lane & Ruddick, Chtd.,
201 North Cherry, Olathe, Kansas 66061:

Responsible for general research and writing assignments in civil and criminal litigation, including matters pertaining to municipal liability, business and commercial litigation, and personal injury.

Research Assistant (August 1980 – May 1981) – Professor William Rich, Washburn Universe ity School of Law, Topeka, Kansas:

Responsible for general research and writing assignments pertaining to civil procedure, constitutional and civil rights, primarily involving renewed litigation before the United States District Court (District of Kansas) in the desegregation case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.

Law Clerk (January 1979 – May 1979) – Alder & Zemites, Suite 690, 9300 West 110th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Responsible for general research and writing assignments and fact investigation pertaining to municipal liability, employment law, constitutional and civil rights litigation matters.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Law School

Washburn University School of Law (Topeka, Kansas)(1981)
– Juris Doctor, with Honors.

Undergraduate Education

Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kansas) (1978)

– Bachelor of Science in Political Science, minor in Biology

Kansas Wesleyan University (Salina, Kansas)

COURT ADMISSIONS

– United States Supreme Court (Admitted 1992)

– Kansas Supreme Court (Admitted 1981)

–Tenth Circuit United States Court of Appeals (Admitted 1986)

–United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Admitted 1981)

–United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (Admitted 2004)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

– Elected Fellow 1998
– Recertified 2008

The International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

– Elected Fellow in 2004

National Board of Trial Advocacy 

– Certified Family Law Trial Specialist in 2016

Kansas Bar Association

– Member, Family Law Section
––Legislative Liaison – 2005 – present
––President – 2003 – 2004
––President – 2002 – 2003
––President – 2000 – 2001
––President-Elect – 1999 – 2000
––Publications Director – 1998 – 1999
––Executive Committee – 1998- present
– Member, Appellate Practice Section
–Executive Committee – 2015 – present
– Member, Legislative Committee (1991 – present)

Johnson County, Kansas, Bar Association

– Chair, Family Law Bench/Bar Committee (2012 – present)
– Member, Family Law Bench/Bar Committee
– Chair, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2000)
– Member, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2005)
– Member, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2010)
– Member, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2015)

American Bar Association

– Member, Law Practice Management Section

– Member, Family Law Section
–– Governance, Governing Council – 2000-2006
–– Governance, Long Range Planning Committee ­– 1998-2002
––– Chair – 2000-2001
––– Vice Chair – 1999-2000
–– Secretary – 1998-1999
–– Governance, Scope and Correlation Committee – 2006-present
––– Chair – 2010-2011
––– Vice-Chair – 2009-2010
–– Procedural Committees –
––– Membership Benefits Development Committee – 2000-present
––– Technology Oversight Committee
–––– Chair – 2002
––– CLE Committee – 2001-2003
–– Substantive Committees –
––– Child Custody Committee
–––– Chair – 2006–2007
–––– Vice Chair – 1998-2001, 2005-2006
––– Marital Property Committee
––– International Law Committee
––– Vulnerable Adults and Special Needs Families Committee
––– Child Support Committee
–– Guardian Ad Litem Standards Drafting Committee (1999–2003)
(Representation of Children in Custody Proceedings)
–– 2001 Kansas City Host Committee (Family Law Section Spring Conference)
–– Chair

– Liaison –
––ABA Family Law Section Liaison to Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) – 2000-2006
–– Family Law Section Liaison to the ABA Section Officers Conference Technology Committee –  2000-
–– Council of (State) Family Law Sections – 2000-2001, 2002-2003

– Member, Appellate Attorneys Conference, Judicial Division (2000-2009)

– ABA Section Officers Conference Technology Committee
–– Liaison from Family Law Section (2000 – 2010)

–Uniform Law Commission, Drafting Committee on Implementation of the Hague Convention for Protection of Children (UCCJEA) (2011 – )

–Uniform Law Commission, Study Committee on Third Party Custody (2014 – 2015)

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Elected Fellow, 1993)

– Member, Webinar Committee
–Vice Chair – 2016
–Chair – 2017

–Member, Technology Committee

Johnson County (Kansas) Law Library Board of Trustees

– Member – 1994 – present
– Chair – 1998-1999, 2003-2004, 2006-2007, 2013-2014
– Vice Chair – 1997-1998, 2002-2003, 2006-2007, 2012-2013

International Child Abduction Attorneys Network

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

– Member (1997- present)
– Liaison for ABA Family Law Section – 2000-2006

American Inns of Court – Earl E. O’Connor Chapter

– Barrister – 1996-1999

American Judicature Society (organization disbanded 2014)

American Inns of Court – Johnson County (Kansas) Family Law Chapter

– Founding Master – 2014
–Executive Committee (2014–2017)

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

Author –

Ronald W. Nelson’s complete curriculum vitae

RONALD W. NELSON
Principal/President

RONALD W NELSON, PA

7501 College Boulevard; Suite 105
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Telephone: 913.312.2500
Fax: 913.312.2501
mailto: ron[@]ronaldnelsonlaw.com
Twitter®: @KansasDivorce

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

President/Principal (January 2009 – present) – Ronald W Nelson, PA, Suite 117, 11900 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66215:

Family Law Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Senior Partner (January 2003 – December 2008) – Nelson & Booth Law Offices, Suite 117, 11900 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66215:

Family Law Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Managing Partner (January 2001 – December 2003) – Rose, Nelson & Booth, Suite 160, 10990 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Managing Partner (January 1994 – December 2000) – Rose & Nelson Law Offices, Suite 160, 10990 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in complex matrimonial and other domestic relations matters, including interstate and international child custody, divorce, and support litigation, in addition to assisting those who seek the return of their children from interstate and international child abduction. Significant appellate experience before the Kansas appellate courts and in the federal appellate courts.

Sole Proprietor  (January 1987 – December 1993) – Ronald W. Nelson Law Office, Suite 300, 11900 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, emphasizing client representation in matrimonial and other domestic relations matters with general civil litigation practice including practice including constitutional law, contracts, collections, general business law, discrimination and civil rights employment law, real estate and other general litigation matters. Significant involvement in appeals before the Kansas appellate courts.

Associate Attorney (January 1985 – December 1986) – Alder & Nelson, Suite 690, 9300 West 110th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

General Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, including product liability, personal injury, automobile negligence, insurance, municipal liability, real estate, labor, and employment law, business and commercial — plaintiff and defense.

Associate Attorney (January 1985 – December, 1986) – Alder, Nelson & McKenna, Suite 690, 9300 West 110th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

General Civil Trial and Appellate Practice, including product liability, personal injury, automobile negligence, insurance, municipal liability, real estate, labor, and employment law, business and commercial — plaintiff and defense.

Law Clerk (May 1980 – May 1981) – Speer, Austin, Holliday, Lane & Ruddick, Chtd.,
201 North Cherry, Olathe, Kansas 66061:

Responsible for general research and writing assignments in civil and criminal litigation, including matters pertaining to municipal liability, business and commercial litigation, and personal injury.

Research Assistant (August 1980 – May 1981) – Professor William Rich, Washburn Universe ity School of Law, Topeka, Kansas:

Responsible for general research and writing assignments pertaining to civil procedure, constitutional and civil rights, primarily involving renewed litigation before the United States District Court (District of Kansas) in the desegregation case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.

Law Clerk (January 1979 – May 1979) – Alder & Zemites, Suite 690, 9300 West 110th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66210:

Responsible for general research and writing assignments and fact investigation pertaining to municipal liability, employment law, constitutional and civil rights litigation matters.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Law School

Washburn University School of Law (Topeka, Kansas)(1981)
– Juris Doctor, with Honors.

Undergraduate Education

Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kansas) (1978)

– Bachelor of Science in Political Science, minor in Biology

Kansas Wesleyan University (Salina, Kansas)

COURT ADMISSIONS

– United States Supreme Court (Admitted 1992)

– Kansas Supreme Court (Admitted 1981)

–Tenth Circuit United States Court of Appeals (Admitted 1986)

–United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Admitted 1981)

–United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (Admitted 2004)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

– Elected Fellow 1998
– Recertified 2008

The International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

– Elected Fellow in 2004

National Board of Trial Advocacy 

– Certified Family Law Trial Specialist in 2016

Kansas Bar Association

– Member, Family Law Section
––Legislative Liaison – 2005 – present
––President – 2003 – 2004
––President – 2002 – 2003
––President – 2000 – 2001
––President-Elect – 1999 – 2000
––Publications Director – 1998 – 1999
––Executive Committee – 1998- present
– Member, Appellate Practice Section
–Executive Committee – 2015 – present
– Member, Legislative Committee (1991 – present)

Johnson County, Kansas, Bar Association

– Chair, Family Law Bench/Bar Committee (2012 – present)
– Member, Family Law Bench/Bar Committee
– Chair, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2000)
– Member, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2005)
– Member, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2010)
– Member, Subcommittee on Revision of Guidelines on Parenting Time (2015)

American Bar Association

– Member, Law Practice Management Section

– Member, Family Law Section
–– Governance, Governing Council – 2000-2006
–– Governance, Long Range Planning Committee ­– 1998-2002
––– Chair – 2000-2001
––– Vice Chair – 1999-2000
–– Secretary – 1998-1999
–– Governance, Scope and Correlation Committee – 2006-present
––– Chair – 2010-2011
––– Vice-Chair – 2009-2010
–– Procedural Committees –
––– Membership Benefits Development Committee – 2000-present
––– Technology Oversight Committee
–––– Chair – 2002
––– CLE Committee – 2001-2003
–– Substantive Committees –
––– Child Custody Committee
–––– Chair – 2006–2007
–––– Vice Chair – 1998-2001, 2005-2006
––– Marital Property Committee
––– International Law Committee
––– Vulnerable Adults and Special Needs Families Committee
––– Child Support Committee
–– Guardian Ad Litem Standards Drafting Committee (1999–2003)
(Representation of Children in Custody Proceedings)
–– 2001 Kansas City Host Committee (Family Law Section Spring Conference)
–– Chair

– Liaison –
––ABA Family Law Section Liaison to Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) – 2000-2006
–– Family Law Section Liaison to the ABA Section Officers Conference Technology Committee –  2000-
–– Council of (State) Family Law Sections – 2000-2001, 2002-2003

– Member, Appellate Attorneys Conference, Judicial Division (2000-2009)

– ABA Section Officers Conference Technology Committee
–– Liaison from Family Law Section (2000 – 2010)

–Uniform Law Commission, Drafting Committee on Implementation of the Hague Convention for Protection of Children (UCCJEA) (2011 – )

–Uniform Law Commission, Study Committee on Third Party Custody (2014 – 2015)

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Elected Fellow, 1993)

– Member, Webinar Committee
–Vice Chair – 2016
–Chair – 2017

–Member, Technology Committee

Johnson County (Kansas) Law Library Board of Trustees

– Member – 1994 – present
– Chair – 1998-1999, 2003-2004, 2006-2007, 2013-2014
– Vice Chair – 1997-1998, 2002-2003, 2006-2007, 2012-2013

International Child Abduction Attorneys Network

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

– Member (1997- present)
– Liaison for ABA Family Law Section – 2000-2006

American Inns of Court – Earl E. O’Connor Chapter

– Barrister – 1996-1999

American Judicature Society (organization disbanded 2014)

American Inns of Court – Johnson County (Kansas) Family Law Chapter

– Founding Master – 2014
–Executive Committee (2014–2017)

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

Author – “Cohabitation and Premarital Agreements,” ABA Family Advocate, Issue 46, at 37 (Summer 2023)

Author – “Whose Time Is It Anyway?,”  ABA Family Advocate, Issue (2015)

Author – “Approaching the Appeal,” 34 ABA Family Advocate, Issue 4, at 10 (Spring 2014)

Author – “Measure Your Marketing: Know how you’re doing with what you’re doing,” 35 ABA Family Advocate No. 3 (2013)

Author – “Going to Trial – Building Your Case with Facts and Focus,” 26 ABA Family Advocate No. 4 (2004)

Author – “Divorcing Yourself from the Domestic Relations Client (with Final Client Instruction Letter and Notice of Withdrawal),” 48 The Practical Lawyer No. 7 (ABA-ALI October 23, 2002)

Author – “Summary of Changes Made to Kansas Domestic Relations Law by House Substitute for SB 150,” Johnson County Bar Association Newsletter (June/July, 2000)

Author – “Troxel vs. Granville: The Supreme Court Wades into the Quagmire of Third Party Visitation,” 13 Divorce litigation, Issue 7 (July, 2000)

Author – “Revisions to the Kansas Domestic Relations Laws – 2000 Legislative Session,” 2000 Kan.Bar Assn. J. (June/July, 2000)

Author – “Paternity Support Retroactivity and Statutes of Limitation – A Fifty State Survey,” 11 Divorce litigation, Issue 12 (December, 1999)

Author – “Managing the High-Conflict Child Custody Case,” 13 Am.Journal of Family Law No. 4, at 207 (Winter, 1999)

Author – “Legal Ethics and the Internet: Ethical Considerations in Electronic Communications Between Attorneys and Clients,” 33 ABA Fam.Law Qtrly. No. 2, at 419 (Summer 1999)

Author – “The UCCJA and the UCCJEA: A Side-by-Side Comparison,” 10 Divorce litigation, Issue 12 (December, 1998)

Chapter Author – “Divorce, Separate Maintenance & Annulment” (Chapter 2) Practitioners’ Guide to Kansas Family Law (Kansas Bar Association)(1997 with supplements), (2010 with supplements)

Chapter Author – “Child Custody” (Chapter 6)  Practitioners’ Guide to Kansas Family Law (Kansas Bar Association)(1997 with supplements), (2002 with supplements), (2010 with supplements)

Chapter Author – “Child Visitation and Access” (Chapter 7)  Practitioners’ Guide to Kansas Family Law (Kansas Bar Association)(1997 with supplements)

Chapter Author – “Civil Rights Act of 1871” (Chapter 17) Kansas Employment Law Handbook (Kansas Bar Association)(1995)

SEMINAR AND CONTINUING EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS

2016

Host-Moderator – Johnson County Bar Association Family Law Full-Day Continuing Education Program (Johnson County Bar Association)(November 2016)

Co-Presenter – Braving the Emotional Tides of Family Law: Case Management and Parent Coordination (Washburn University School of Law)(November 2016)

Moderator – International Family Law and Beyond: Procedures and Practice in Civil Litigation Involving the Hague Evidence Convention and the Hague Service Convention; Tricks, Traps, and More (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers)(August 2016)

Presenter – 2016 Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update (Johnson County Bar Association)(June 2016)

Co-Presenter – The Uses and Abuses of Psychological Testing in Parenting Disputes (Association of Family & Conciliation Courts)(June 2016)

Co-Presenter – The Interplay of Surrogacy and the Uniform Laws (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(May 2016)

Co-Presenter – Review and Approval of Marital Separation Agreements in Kansas (Wichita Bar Association)(April 2016)

Presenter – 2016 Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2016)

Presenter – Walton Conference: Guidelines – 2016 Child Support Guidelines and 2015 Johnson County Guidelines Court Practices (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association)(March 2016)

Co-Presenter – Braving the Emotional Tides of Family Law: Advising and Assisting Family Law Clients in High Conflict Family Law Cases (Kansas Bar Association – 16th Annual Slam Dunk)(February 2016)

2015

Producer-Moderator – Legal & Practical Implications of Same Sex Relationships (Post-Obergefell) (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer)(November 2015)

Presenter – Highlights of the 2008 Amendments to UIFSA and the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014, (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers–Kansas)(September 2015)

Presenter – The Impact of a Demand for Shared Residency (Washburn University School of Law)(August 2015)

Presenter – Appellate Practice: Appeals Begin at the Start Not the End of a Trial (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Trial) (Missouri Bar Association Family Law Section – Annual Meeting)(August 2015)

Presenter – Overview and Update of the Hague Family Law Conventions – 2015 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2015)

Presenter – The Johnson County Family Law Bench-Bar Guidelines (2015)(Johnson County Bar Ass’n Family Law Section)(March 2015)

2014

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Update–Law and Legislation – 2014 (Southwest Kansas Bar Association)(September 2014)

Presenter – What Every Case Manager Should Know About Social Media–8th Annual Case Management Training (Washburn University School of Law)(August 2014)

Presenter – The Legislative Process: Behind and Beyond the Curtain (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(May 2014)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2014 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2014)

Co-Presenter – Social Media for the Family Lawyer (and anyone else, for that matter), From Start-to-Finish (Kansas Bar Association)(April 2014)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislation and Case Law Update – 2014 (Johnson County Bar Association)(March 2014)

2013

Presenter – Life Insurance After the Hall Decision (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers–Kansas)(September 2013)

Presenter – Special Needs Families in Family Court (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers–Kansas)(September 2013)

Presenter – Practice Management Today (Johnson County Bar Ass’n Young Lawyers Section)(June 2013)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2013 (Johnson County Bar Ass’n Family Law Section)(June 2013)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2013 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2013)

2012

Presenter – Social Networking for the Family Lawyer (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – Kentucky Chapter)(September 2012)

Presenter – Divorce 101: Where is the Law in 2012? (Johnson County Bar Association, Family Law Bench-Bar Committee)(June 2012)

Presenter – A Snapshot View of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) (Kansas Child Support Enforcement Association)(June 2012)

Presenter – Social Networking for the Family Lawyer (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(April 2012)

Presenter – 2011 Kansas Family Law Recodification: What Now? (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(March 2012)

2011

Presenter – Uniform Family Law in Kansas: Alphabet Soup for the Soul. How They Blend Together to Form a Nice Jurisdictional Broth (Wichita Bar Association)(September 2011)

Presenter – Recodification/Reorganization of the Kansas Domestic Relations Code: What Went Where, When, How and Why? (Wichita Bar Association)(September 2011)

Presenter – Tricks & Traps & Alphabet Soup: UIFSA, UCCJEA and other Jurisdictional Odd-and-Ends (Wichita Bar Association)(June 2011)

Presenter – Divorce 101: Where is the Law in 2011? (Johnson County Bar Association, Family Law Bench-Bar Committee)(June 2011)

Faculty – 2011 Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (American Bar Association, Famliy Law Section)(May 2011)

Presenter – Advanced Paternity Issues (Johnson County Bar Association, Family Law Section)(April 2011)

Presenter – 2011 Kansas Legislative and Case Law Update (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2011)

Presenter – Alphabet Soup: Missouri’s Transition from the UCCJA to the UCCJEA (Missouri Judicial College)(October 2010)

Participant – The Perils of Pauline: Navigating Ethics in the Wild and Woolly West (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(October 2010)

Presenter – Unforeseen Implications: Enforcement Provision of the UCCJEA (Missouri Bar Association – Annual Meeting)(September 2010)

Presenter –Representing Clients in the Difficult Case (Washburn University – Domestic Case Management Training)(August 2010)

Presenter – Alphabet Soup: Missouri’s Transition from the UCCJA to the UCCJEA (Missouri Judicial College)(August 2010)

Presenter – Divorce 101: Where is the Law? (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association: Family Law Bench-Bar Committee)(June 2010)

Faculty – 2010 ABA Family Law Section Trial Advocacy Institute (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(May 2010)

Moderator – Custody and the Special Needs Child (American Bar Association:
Family Law Section)(April 2010)

Presenter/Moderator – The Impact of Religion on Child Custody: A Discussion (Nevada Family Jurisdiction Judges Conference)(March 2010)

Presenter – Special Needs Families: The Special Needs Family in Court (Kansas Bar Association – Video Seminar)(March 2010)

2009

Presenter – Special Needs Families: The Special Needs Family in Court (Alabama AAML)(November 2009)

Presenter – Case Law and Statutory Update (Johnson County Bar Association)(October 2009)

Presenter – Hot Tips from the Experts – UIFSA & UCCJEA Modification Jurisdiction (American Bar Association)(Annual Meeting, July 2009)

Presenter – The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Kansas Bar Association)(Annual Meeting, June 2009)

Faculty – ABA Family Law Section 2009 Trial Advocacy Institute (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(May 2009)

Presenter – Practitioner’s Guide to Family Law – Child Custody Legislative and Case Law Update (Kansas Bar Association, Family Law Section)(April 2009)

Producer-Moderator-Presenter – Special Needs in Family Court (Johnson County (KS) Bar Association)(March 2009)

2008

Moderator – Age Appropriate Parenting Plans (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Teleseminar, November 2008)

Presenter – Assisting with Child Custody Issues (Half-Moon Paralegal Seminars)(October 2008)

2007

Producer-Moderator – Parenting Coordinators: What They Do, Can They Help? (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Teleseminar, November 2007)

Presenter – The UCCJEA: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You (Missouri Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Annual Meeting, September 2007)

Presenter – International Family Law: The Hague Abduction Convention and Other International Family Law Issues (KCMBA)(September 2007)

Presenter – The Uniform Acts: UCCJEA, UPAA and UIFSA 2001. A Kansas Perspective (KCMBA)(May 2007)

Panelist – Revising the Johnson County Rules: Family Court Rules and Forms (Johnson County Bar Ass’n)(March 2007)

2006

Panelist – High Conflict Divorce, The Johnson County, Kansas Family Court After One Year (Johnson County Bar Ass’n)(December 2006)

Producer-Moderator – The Indian Child Welfare Act (ABA FLS)(Fall Meeting, 2006)

Presenter – The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the UCCJEA/UCCJA (Missouri Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Annual Meeting, August 2006)

2005

Presenter – Developments in Child Custody Jurisdiction Law – the UCCJEA (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April 2005).

Presenter – International Child Abduction and the UCCJEA (Law Education Institute – Aspen, Colorado)(January 2005)

2004

Presenter – The High Conflict Custody Custody Case (Johnson County Bar Association)(Walton Conference, April 2004)

Producer – Business Valuation – Beyond the Basics (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2004)

Moderator – Hot Issues in Child Custody Jurisdiction (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2004)

2003

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law – The 2003 Update (Jurisdiction for Child Custody & Child Support) (Kansas Bar Association)(November, 2003)

Presenter – Alternate Dispute Resolution in Domestic Relations Cases: Domestic Relations Case Management (Kansas Bar Association)(ADR Conference, October, 2003)

Producer – Using Age-Appropriate Parenting Plans:  Development and Presentation (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Fall Meeting, October, 2003)

Presenter – The High Conflict Child Custody Case: Representing and Protecting Clients in the High Conflict Case (Washburn University School of Law)(September, 2003) [photo]

Presenter – Family Law Update: Kansas Appellate Cases 2002-2003 (Kansas Bar Association-Annual Meeting 2003)

Presenter – Child Support: Guidelines and Case Law 2003 (Leavenworth County, Kansas Bar Association)(June, 2003)

Producer – When Parents Act Like Children: The Impact of Alienating Behavior on Custody and Timeshare (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, May, 2003)

2002

Presenter – Family Law Update: Kansas Appellate Cases 2002 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Section (September 2002)

Presenter – Child Custody Jurisdiction Law (American Bar Association General Practice Section) (Annual Meeting, August, 2002)

Presenter – Child Custody Jurisdiction – Hot Topics In Family Law (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Annual Meeting, August 2002)

Moderator – ERISA Issues: Have Faith in the Power of QDROs and QMCSOs (National Child Support Enforcement Association) (Annual Meeting, August, 2002)

Presenter – Case Law and Legislative Update 2002 (Kansas Bar Association)(Family Law Section Annual Meeting)

Presenter – Registration, Enforcement and Modification of Orders Under UIFSA and UCCJEA (Leavenworth, Kansas Bar Association) (June, 2002)

Presenter – Parental Alienation in High Conflict Cases (Kentucky AAML)(June, 2002)

Presenter – Ethical Issues in Domestic Relations Alternate Dispute Resolution (Kentucky AAML) (June, 2002)

Presenter – The Basic Divorce in Kansas (Child Custody, Parenting Time and Visitation; Post-Decree Motion Practice; Family Law Ethics) (Kansas Bar Association)(April, 2002)

Presenter – 2002 Kansas Legislative Update (Johnson County, KS Bar Association)(April, 2002)

Presenter – Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2002 (Kansas Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2002)

Presenter – Long Distance Visitation and Parenting Time After September 11, 2001 (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2002)

Producer – Debunking the Myths: Uncovering the Mystery Behind Psychological Evaluations (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2002)

2001

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law – The 2001 Update (Child Custody & Visitation) (Kansas Bar Association) (December, 2001)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Practice for New Lawyers 2001 (Kansas Bar Association) (June 2001)

Presenter – Handling Your First Divorce in Kansas (National Business Institute) (June 2001)

Presenter – Advising Clients on Mediation of Domestic Relations Matters (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2001)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2001 (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association) (Herbert Walton Conference)(April, 2001)

2000

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law – The 2000 Update (Child Custody & Visitation) (Kansas Bar Association)(December, 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Practice for New Lawyers 2000 (Kansas Bar Association)

Presenter – Division of Property in Non-Marital Relationships (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Fall Meeting, October, 2000)

Producer-Presenter – The High Conflict Divorce: Issues in the Child Custody Case (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Fall Meeting, October, 2000)

Participant – Wingspread Conference: High Conflict Custody Cases: Reforming the System for Children (Johnson Institute and ABA FLS, September, 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2000 (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association – Family Law Section)(Semi-Annual Meeting, August 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2000 (Leavenworth County, Kansas Bar Association) (June Meeting, June 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2000 (Kansas Bar Association) (Annual Meeting, June 2000)

Participant – Splitsville Redux: Issues in the Second Divorce (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2000)

Producer-Presenter – Managing the High-Conflict Child Custody Case Parenting Coordinators and Domestic Case Management (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2000)

Presenter – The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (Johnson County Bar Association)(April, 2000)

1999

Panelist ­– Child Support A to Z (trial practice portion)(American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Fall Meeting, October, 1999)

Presenter – Panel Discussion Regarding Parental Relocation in Kansas (Kansas Bar Association)(1999)

Presenter – Psychological Issues in Child Custody and Visitation Cases (Kansas Bar Association)(Annual Meeting, June, 1999)

Presenter ­– Third Party Child Custody and Visitation in Kansas (Kansas Paralegal Association)(Annual Meeting, June, 1999)

Presenter – Family Case Management – Statutory Provisions and Legislative Changes (Johnson County Bar Assn. Family Law Section)(1999)

Panelist – Ethics and the Internet (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, 1999)

Presenter – Ethics and the Internet (American Inns of Court – Earl E. O’Conner Chapter)(April, 1999)

Presenter – Kansas Domestic Legislation Update 1999 (Johnson County Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, Spring 1999)

1998

Presenter – Case and Legislation Update 1998 (Johnson County Bar Assn. Family Law Section)(1998)

Presenter – The Nuts and Bolts of Child Custody for Kansas Paralegals (Institute for Paralegal Education) (1998)

1997

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law (Child Custody & Visitation) (Kansas Bar Association)(1997)

1994

Presenter – Kansas Employment Law (Public Employment Law) (Kansas Bar Association)( 1994)

1993

Presenter – Employment Discrimination Issues in the ’90s in Kansas (National Business Institute)(1993)

LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS

Testified to 2016 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Children and Seniors about proposed changes to Kansas Child in Need of Care statutes, powers of attorney for child custody/care, and foster care issues, and proposed changes to child custody factors.

Testified to 2015 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee and House Federal and State Affairs Committee in support of the 2008 Amendments to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA 2008); House Committee on Children and Seniors on proposed amendments to Child in Need of Care statutes, powers of attorney for child custody/care, and foster care; House Judiciary Committee on amendments to Kansas Domestic Case Manager/Parenting Coordination statutes

Testified to 2013 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee on additional cleanup of the Kansas Family Law Code.

Testified to 2012 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Cleanup of Kansas Family Law Code Recodification (for the Kansas Judicial Council), Grandparent Preference in Child-in-Need-of-Care Proceedings, and on other Domestic Relations Legislation

Testified to 2009 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on DNA Testing and Parentage

Testified to 2008 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committees, on Military Deployment and Child Custody

Testified to 2007 Kansas Legislature, House and Senate Judiciary Committees, on child abduction prevention and enacting Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act (UCAPA)

Testified to 2006 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on amendments to Kansas domestic relations statutes

Testified to 2006 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on amendments to child custody statutes

Testified to 2005 Kansas Legislature, Interim Joint Special Judiciary Committee, on amendments to child custody statutes

Testified to 2004 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act (UEFDVPOA)

Testified to 2002 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on Protection from Abuse and Stalking issues

Assisted Drafting Protection from Stalking Act and changes to Protection from Abuse Act for 2002 Legislature

Testified to 2001 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on Protection from Abuse

Testified to 2000 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on enactment of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)

Testified to 2000 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on various Domestic Relations Legislation

Assisted Drafting Changes to House Substitute to Senate Bill 150 on child custody, residency, and parenting time and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).

Testified to 1999-2000 Kansas Legislature Interim Judiciary Committee, on enactment of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

Testified to 1999 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on enactment of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

Testified to 1999 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Domestic Relations Legislation

Testified to 1998 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Domestic Relations Legislation

AWARDS, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND SYMPOSIUMS

Recipient – Kansas Bar Association “Outstanding Service Award” (2023)

Recipient – Johnson County Bar Association “Justinian Award for Professional Excellence” (2016)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Chair’s Cup for Outstanding Service (2012)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Award for Outstanding Service (2011)

Participant – Families Matter Symposium: Lessening Negative Effect on Children and Families (University of Baltimore and ABA FLS, June 2010)

Member – Kansas Judicial Council, Family Law Advisory Committee (2006 – present)

Recipient – National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Award of Merit (November 2003, December 2004, July 2006, April 2008)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Chair’s Cup for Meritorious Service (July 2001)

Member – Kansas Supreme Court Parenting Plans Drafting Committee (2000 – 2001)

Member – Ad Hoc Group on revision of Kansas Domestic Relations Case Management Statute (2002)

Member – ABA FLS Drafting Committee on Guardian Ad Litem Standards (1999 – 2003)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Chair’s Cup for Outstanding Service (2001)

Participant – Wingspread Conference: High Conflict Custody Cases, Reforming the System for Children (Johnson Institute and ABA FLS, September 2000)

PUBLISHED APPELLATE DECISIONS

Teepak v. Learned, 237 Kan. 320 (1985) (comparative negligence and indemnity)

Gould v. Taco Bell, 239 Kan. 564 (1986) (comparison of intentional fault)

Summers v. Montgomery Elevator, 243 Kan. 639 (1988) (attorneys fees  – standards for assessment in frivolous action)

Santaniello v. Santaniello, 18 Kan. App. 2d 112 (1992) (grandparent visitation-burden of proof requirement)

Ellis v. Berry, 19 Kan. App. 2d 105 (1993) (non-marital property division and trial procedure)

Marriage of Welliver, 254 Kan. 801 (1994) (service of process requirements and considerations in granting default judgment)

Barnett v. Barnett, 24 Kan. App. 2d 319 (1997) (protection from abuse standards for children)

Marriage of Scott, 263 Kan. 638 (1998) (child support – imputing of income to residential parent)

Sokol v. Kansas S.R.S., 267 Kan. 740 (1999) (administrative standards on allegations of child abuse)

Marriage of Gordon-Hanks, 27 Kan.App.2d 987 (2000) (domestic relations case management standards)

Johnson v. Stephenson, 28 Kan.App.2d 275 (2000) (child custody – binding effect of parental agreement when there is a later dispute)

Marriage of Ronen, 29 Kan.App.2d 443 (2001) (child support – defining expenses included in basic child support amount)

Trolinger v. Trolinger, 30 Kan.App.2d 192 (2001) (protection from abuse standards for adults)

Marriage of Kopac, 30 Kan.App.2d 735 (2002)(spousal support – considerations in termination on basis of “cohabitation”)

Marriage of Jennings, 30 Kan.App.2d 860 (2002) (child custody – binding effect of parental agreement when there is a later dispute)

DeGraeve v. Holm, 30 Kan.App.2d 865 (2002) (grandparent visitation – burden of proof, upholding grandparent visitation)

Skillett v. Sierra, 30 Kan.App.2d 1041 (2002) (child support – “financial considerations” adjustment; award of retroactive child support in parentage cases)

State ex rel. SRS v. Strotkamp, 30 Kan.App.2d – (2002) (grandparent visitation – burden of proof, upholding grandparent visitation)

Graham v. Cirrocco, 31 Kan.App.2d 563 (2003) (standards for assessment of physician non-competition agreements)

Magstadtova v. Magstadt, 31 Kan.App.2d 1091 (2003) (assessment of attorneys fees and expenses under Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction of 25 October 1980)

Marriage of Ehinger, 34 Kan.App.2d 583 (2005) (spousal support – statutory power to modify spousal support)

Marriage of Hall, –Kan. – (2012) (child support – court power to order “cooperation” with former spouse to obtain life insurance)

State of Kansas, ex rel. SRS v. Ketzel, 47 Kan.App.2d 536 (2012) (UIFSA – post-decree child support modification jurisdiction, residence)

SEMINAR AND CONTINUING EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS

2016

Host-Moderator – Johnson County Bar Association Family Law Full-Day Continuing Education Program (Johnson County Bar Association)(November 2016)

Co-Presenter – Braving the Emotional Tides of Family Law: Case Management and Parent Coordination (Washburn University School of Law)(November 2016)

Moderator – International Family Law and Beyond: Procedures and Practice in Civil Litigation Involving the Hague Evidence Convention and the Hague Service Convention; Tricks, Traps, and More (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers)(August 2016)

Presenter – 2016 Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update (Johnson County Bar Association)(June 2016)

Co-Presenter – The Uses and Abuses of Psychological Testing in Parenting Disputes (Association of Family & Conciliation Courts)(June 2016)

Co-Presenter – The Interplay of Surrogacy and the Uniform Laws (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(May 2016)

Co-Presenter – Review and Approval of Marital Separation Agreements in Kansas (Wichita Bar Association)(April 2016)

Presenter – 2016 Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2016)

Presenter – Walton Conference: Guidelines – 2016 Child Support Guidelines and 2015 Johnson County Guidelines Court Practices (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association)(March 2016)

Co-Presenter – Braving the Emotional Tides of Family Law: Advising and Assisting Family Law Clients in High Conflict Family Law Cases (Kansas Bar Association – 16th Annual Slam Dunk)(February 2016)

2015

Producer-Moderator – Legal & Practical Implications of Same Sex Relationships (Post-Obergefell) (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer)(November 2015)

Presenter – Highlights of the 2008 Amendments to UIFSA and the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014, (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers–Kansas)(September 2015)

Presenter – The Impact of a Demand for Shared Residency (Washburn University School of Law)(August 2015)

Presenter – Appellate Practice: Appeals Begin at the Start Not the End of a Trial (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Trial) (Missouri Bar Association Family Law Section – Annual Meeting)(August 2015)

Presenter – Overview and Update of the Hague Family Law Conventions – 2015 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2015)

Presenter – The Johnson County Family Law Bench-Bar Guidelines (2015)(Johnson County Bar Ass’n Family Law Section)(March 2015)

2014

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Update–Law and Legislation – 2014 (Southwest Kansas Bar Association)(September 2014)

Presenter – What Every Case Manager Should Know About Social Media–8th Annual Case Management Training (Washburn University School of Law)(August 2014)

Presenter – The Legislative Process: Behind and Beyond the Curtain (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(May 2014)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2014 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2014)

Co-Presenter – Social Media for the Family Lawyer (and anyone else, for that matter), From Start-to-Finish (Kansas Bar Association)(April 2014)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislation and Case Law Update – 2014 (Johnson County Bar Association)(March 2014)

2013

Presenter – Life Insurance After the Hall Decision (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers–Kansas)(September 2013)

Presenter – Special Needs Families in Family Court (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers–Kansas)(September 2013)

Presenter – Practice Management Today (Johnson County Bar Ass’n Young Lawyers Section)(June 2013)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2013 (Johnson County Bar Ass’n Family Law Section)(June 2013)

Presenter – Kansas Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2013 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2013)

2012

Presenter – Social Networking for the Family Lawyer (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – Kentucky Chapter)(September 2012)

Presenter – Divorce 101: Where is the Law in 2012? (Johnson County Bar Association, Family Law Bench-Bar Committee)(June 2012)

Presenter – A Snapshot View of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) (Kansas Child Support Enforcement Association)(June 2012)

Presenter – Social Networking for the Family Lawyer (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(April 2012)

Presenter – 2011 Kansas Family Law Recodification: What Now? (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(March 2012)

2011

Presenter – Uniform Family Law in Kansas: Alphabet Soup for the Soul. How They Blend Together to Form a Nice Jurisdictional Broth (Wichita Bar Association)(September 2011)

Presenter – Recodification/Reorganization of the Kansas Domestic Relations Code: What Went Where, When, How and Why? (Wichita Bar Association)(September 2011)

Presenter – Tricks & Traps & Alphabet Soup: UIFSA, UCCJEA and other Jurisdictional Odd-and-Ends (Wichita Bar Association)(June 2011)

Presenter – Divorce 101: Where is the Law in 2011? (Johnson County Bar Association, Family Law Bench-Bar Committee)(June 2011)

Faculty – 2011 Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (American Bar Association, Famliy Law Section)(May 2011)

Presenter – Advanced Paternity Issues (Johnson County Bar Association, Family Law Section)(April 2011)

Presenter – 2011 Kansas Legislative and Case Law Update (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Institute)(April 2011)

Presenter – Alphabet Soup: Missouri’s Transition from the UCCJA to the UCCJEA (Missouri Judicial College)(October 2010)

Participant – The Perils of Pauline: Navigating Ethics in the Wild and Woolly West (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(October 2010)

Presenter – Unforeseen Implications: Enforcement Provision of the UCCJEA (Missouri Bar Association – Annual Meeting)(September 2010)

Presenter –Representing Clients in the Difficult Case (Washburn University – Domestic Case Management Training)(August 2010)

Presenter – Alphabet Soup: Missouri’s Transition from the UCCJA to the UCCJEA (Missouri Judicial College)(August 2010)

Presenter – Divorce 101: Where is the Law? (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association: Family Law Bench-Bar Committee)(June 2010)

Faculty – 2010 ABA Family Law Section Trial Advocacy Institute (American Bar Association: Family Law Section)(May 2010)

Moderator – Custody and the Special Needs Child (American Bar Association:
Family Law Section)(April 2010)

Presenter/Moderator – The Impact of Religion on Child Custody: A Discussion (Nevada Family Jurisdiction Judges Conference)(March 2010)

Presenter – Special Needs Families: The Special Needs Family in Court (Kansas Bar Association – Video Seminar)(March 2010)

2009

Presenter – Special Needs Families: The Special Needs Family in Court (Alabama AAML)(November 2009)

Presenter – Case Law and Statutory Update (Johnson County Bar Association)(October 2009)

Presenter – Hot Tips from the Experts – UIFSA & UCCJEA Modification Jurisdiction (American Bar Association)(Annual Meeting, July 2009)

Presenter – The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Kansas Bar Association)(Annual Meeting, June 2009)

Faculty – ABA Family Law Section 2009 Trial Advocacy Institute (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(May 2009)

Presenter – Practitioner’s Guide to Family Law – Child Custody Legislative and Case Law Update (Kansas Bar Association, Family Law Section)(April 2009)

Producer-Moderator-Presenter – Special Needs in Family Court (Johnson County (KS) Bar Association)(March 2009)

2008

Moderator – Age Appropriate Parenting Plans (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Teleseminar, November 2008)

Presenter – Assisting with Child Custody Issues (Half-Moon Paralegal Seminars)(October 2008)

2007

Producer-Moderator – Parenting Coordinators: What They Do, Can They Help? (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Teleseminar, November 2007)

Presenter – The UCCJEA: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You (Missouri Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Annual Meeting, September 2007)

Presenter – International Family Law: The Hague Abduction Convention and Other International Family Law Issues (KCMBA)(September 2007)

Presenter – The Uniform Acts: UCCJEA, UPAA and UIFSA 2001. A Kansas Perspective (KCMBA)(May 2007)

Panelist – Revising the Johnson County Rules: Family Court Rules and Forms (Johnson County Bar Ass’n)(March 2007)

2006

Panelist – High Conflict Divorce, The Johnson County, Kansas Family Court After One Year (Johnson County Bar Ass’n)(December 2006)

Producer-Moderator – The Indian Child Welfare Act (ABA FLS)(Fall Meeting, 2006)

Presenter – The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the UCCJEA/UCCJA (Missouri Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Annual Meeting, August 2006)

2005

Presenter – Developments in Child Custody Jurisdiction Law – the UCCJEA (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April 2005).

Presenter – International Child Abduction and the UCCJEA (Law Education Institute – Aspen, Colorado)(January 2005)

2004

Presenter – The High Conflict Custody Custody Case (Johnson County Bar Association)(Walton Conference, April 2004)

Producer – Business Valuation – Beyond the Basics (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2004)

Moderator – Hot Issues in Child Custody Jurisdiction (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2004)

2003

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law – The 2003 Update (Jurisdiction for Child Custody & Child Support) (Kansas Bar Association)(November, 2003)

Presenter – Alternate Dispute Resolution in Domestic Relations Cases: Domestic Relations Case Management (Kansas Bar Association)(ADR Conference, October, 2003)

Producer – Using Age-Appropriate Parenting Plans:  Development and Presentation (American Bar Association, Family Law Section)(Fall Meeting, October, 2003)

Presenter – The High Conflict Child Custody Case: Representing and Protecting Clients in the High Conflict Case (Washburn University School of Law)(September, 2003) [photo]

Presenter – Family Law Update: Kansas Appellate Cases 2002-2003 (Kansas Bar Association-Annual Meeting 2003)

Presenter – Child Support: Guidelines and Case Law 2003 (Leavenworth County, Kansas Bar Association)(June, 2003)

Producer – When Parents Act Like Children: The Impact of Alienating Behavior on Custody and Timeshare (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, May, 2003)

2002

Presenter – Family Law Update: Kansas Appellate Cases 2002 (Kansas Bar Association Family Law Section (September 2002)

Presenter – Child Custody Jurisdiction Law (American Bar Association General Practice Section) (Annual Meeting, August, 2002)

Presenter – Child Custody Jurisdiction – Hot Topics In Family Law (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Annual Meeting, August 2002)

Moderator – ERISA Issues: Have Faith in the Power of QDROs and QMCSOs (National Child Support Enforcement Association) (Annual Meeting, August, 2002)

Presenter – Case Law and Legislative Update 2002 (Kansas Bar Association)(Family Law Section Annual Meeting)

Presenter – Registration, Enforcement and Modification of Orders Under UIFSA and UCCJEA (Leavenworth, Kansas Bar Association) (June, 2002)

Presenter – Parental Alienation in High Conflict Cases (Kentucky AAML)(June, 2002)

Presenter – Ethical Issues in Domestic Relations Alternate Dispute Resolution (Kentucky AAML) (June, 2002)

Presenter – The Basic Divorce in Kansas (Child Custody, Parenting Time and Visitation; Post-Decree Motion Practice; Family Law Ethics) (Kansas Bar Association)(April, 2002)

Presenter – 2002 Kansas Legislative Update (Johnson County, KS Bar Association)(April, 2002)

Presenter – Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update – 2002 (Kansas Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2002)

Presenter – Long Distance Visitation and Parenting Time After September 11, 2001 (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2002)

Producer – Debunking the Myths: Uncovering the Mystery Behind Psychological Evaluations (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2002)

2001

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law – The 2001 Update (Child Custody & Visitation) (Kansas Bar Association) (December, 2001)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Practice for New Lawyers 2001 (Kansas Bar Association) (June 2001)

Presenter – Handling Your First Divorce in Kansas (National Business Institute) (June 2001)

Presenter – Advising Clients on Mediation of Domestic Relations Matters (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2001)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2001 (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association) (Herbert Walton Conference)(April, 2001)

2000

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law – The 2000 Update (Child Custody & Visitation) (Kansas Bar Association)(December, 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Practice for New Lawyers 2000 (Kansas Bar Association)

Presenter – Division of Property in Non-Marital Relationships (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Fall Meeting, October, 2000)

Producer-Presenter – The High Conflict Divorce: Issues in the Child Custody Case (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Fall Meeting, October, 2000)

Participant – Wingspread Conference: High Conflict Custody Cases: Reforming the System for Children (Johnson Institute and ABA FLS, September, 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2000 (Johnson County, Kansas Bar Association – Family Law Section)(Semi-Annual Meeting, August 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2000 (Leavenworth County, Kansas Bar Association) (June Meeting, June 2000)

Presenter – Domestic Relations Legislative Changes in the Year 2000 (Kansas Bar Association) (Annual Meeting, June 2000)

Participant – Splitsville Redux: Issues in the Second Divorce (American Bar Association-Family Law Section) (Spring Meeting, April, 2000)

Producer-Presenter – Managing the High-Conflict Child Custody Case Parenting Coordinators and Domestic Case Management (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, April, 2000)

Presenter – The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (Johnson County Bar Association)(April, 2000)

1999

Panelist ­– Child Support A to Z (trial practice portion)(American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Fall Meeting, October, 1999)

Presenter – Panel Discussion Regarding Parental Relocation in Kansas (Kansas Bar Association)(1999)

Presenter – Psychological Issues in Child Custody and Visitation Cases (Kansas Bar Association)(Annual Meeting, June, 1999)

Presenter ­– Third Party Child Custody and Visitation in Kansas (Kansas Paralegal Association)(Annual Meeting, June, 1999)

Presenter – Family Case Management – Statutory Provisions and Legislative Changes (Johnson County Bar Assn. Family Law Section)(1999)

Panelist – Ethics and the Internet (American Bar Association-Family Law Section)(Spring Meeting, 1999)

Presenter – Ethics and the Internet (American Inns of Court – Earl E. O’Conner Chapter)(April, 1999)

Presenter – Kansas Domestic Legislation Update 1999 (Johnson County Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, Spring 1999)

1998

Presenter – Case and Legislation Update 1998 (Johnson County Bar Assn. Family Law Section)(1998)

Presenter – The Nuts and Bolts of Child Custody for Kansas Paralegals (Institute for Paralegal Education) (1998)

1997

Presenter – A Practitioners Guide to Kansas Family Law (Child Custody & Visitation) (Kansas Bar Association)(1997)

1994

Presenter – Kansas Employment Law (Public Employment Law) (Kansas Bar Association)( 1994)

1993

Presenter – Employment Discrimination Issues in the ’90s in Kansas (National Business Institute)(1993)

LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS

Testified to 2016 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Children and Seniors about proposed changes to Kansas Child in Need of Care statutes, powers of attorney for child custody/care, and foster care issues, and proposed changes to child custody factors.

Testified to 2015 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee and House Federal and State Affairs Committee in support of the 2008 Amendments to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA 2008); House Committee on Children and Seniors on proposed amendments to Child in Need of Care statutes, powers of attorney for child custody/care, and foster care; House Judiciary Committee on amendments to Kansas Domestic Case Manager/Parenting Coordination statutes

Testified to 2013 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee on additional cleanup of the Kansas Family Law Code.

Testified to 2012 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Cleanup of Kansas Family Law Code Recodification (for the Kansas Judicial Council), Grandparent Preference in Child-in-Need-of-Care Proceedings, and on other Domestic Relations Legislation

Testified to 2009 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on DNA Testing and Parentage

Testified to 2008 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committees, on Military Deployment and Child Custody

Testified to 2007 Kansas Legislature, House and Senate Judiciary Committees, on child abduction prevention and enacting Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act (UCAPA)

Testified to 2006 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on amendments to Kansas domestic relations statutes

Testified to 2006 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on amendments to child custody statutes

Testified to 2005 Kansas Legislature, Interim Joint Special Judiciary Committee, on amendments to child custody statutes

Testified to 2004 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act (UEFDVPOA)

Testified to 2002 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on Protection from Abuse and Stalking issues

Assisted Drafting Protection from Stalking Act and changes to Protection from Abuse Act for 2002 Legislature

Testified to 2001 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on Protection from Abuse

Testified to 2000 Kansas Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee, on enactment of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)

Testified to 2000 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on various Domestic Relations Legislation

Assisted Drafting Changes to House Substitute to Senate Bill 150 on child custody, residency, and parenting time and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).

Testified to 1999-2000 Kansas Legislature Interim Judiciary Committee, on enactment of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

Testified to 1999 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on enactment of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

Testified to 1999 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Domestic Relations Legislation

Testified to 1998 Kansas Legislature, House Judiciary Committee, on Domestic Relations Legislation

AWARDS, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND SYMPOSIUMS

Recipient – Johnson County Bar Association “Justinian Award for Professional Excellence” (2016)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Chair’s Cup for Outstanding Service (2012)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Award for Outstanding Service (2011)

Participant – Families Matter Symposium: Lessening Negative Effect on Children and Families (University of Baltimore and ABA FLS, June 2010)

Member – Kansas Judicial Council, Family Law Advisory Committee (2006 – present)

Recipient – National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Award of Merit (November 2003, December 2004, July 2006, April 2008)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Chair’s Cup for Meritorious Service (July 2001)

Member – Kansas Supreme Court Parenting Plans Drafting Committee (2000 – 2001)

Member – Ad Hoc Group on revision of Kansas Domestic Relations Case Management Statute (2002)

Member – ABA FLS Drafting Committee on Guardian Ad Litem Standards (1999 – 2003)

Recipient – ABA Family Law Section Chair’s Cup for Outstanding Service (2001)

Participant – Wingspread Conference: High Conflict Custody Cases, Reforming the System for Children (Johnson Institute and ABA FLS, September 2000)

PUBLISHED APPELLATE DECISIONS

Teepak v. Learned, 237 Kan. 320 (1985) (comparative negligence and indemnity)

Gould v. Taco Bell, 239 Kan. 564 (1986) (comparison of intentional fault)

Summers v. Montgomery Elevator, 243 Kan. 639 (1988) (attorneys fees  – standards for assessment in frivolous action)

Santaniello v. Santaniello, 18 Kan. App. 2d 112 (1992) (grandparent visitation-burden of proof requirement)

Ellis v. Berry, 19 Kan. App. 2d 105 (1993) (non-marital property division and trial procedure)

Marriage of Welliver, 254 Kan. 801 (1994) (service of process requirements and considerations in granting default judgment)

Barnett v. Barnett, 24 Kan. App. 2d 319 (1997) (protection from abuse standards for children)

Marriage of Scott, 263 Kan. 638 (1998) (child support – imputing of income to residential parent)

Sokol v. Kansas S.R.S., 267 Kan. 740 (1999) (administrative standards on allegations of child abuse)

Marriage of Gordon-Hanks, 27 Kan.App.2d 987 (2000) (domestic relations case management standards)

Johnson v. Stephenson, 28 Kan.App.2d 275 (2000) (child custody – binding effect of parental agreement when there is a later dispute)

Marriage of Ronen, 29 Kan.App.2d 443 (2001) (child support – defining expenses included in basic child support amount)

Trolinger v. Trolinger, 30 Kan.App.2d 192 (2001) (protection from abuse standards for adults)

Marriage of Kopac, 30 Kan.App.2d 735 (2002)(spousal support – considerations in termination on basis of “cohabitation”)

Marriage of Jennings, 30 Kan.App.2d 860 (2002) (child custody – binding effect of parental agreement when there is a later dispute)

DeGraeve v. Holm, 30 Kan.App.2d 865 (2002) (grandparent visitation – burden of proof, upholding grandparent visitation)

Skillett v. Sierra, 30 Kan.App.2d 1041 (2002) (child support – “financial considerations” adjustment; award of retroactive child support in parentage cases)

State ex rel. SRS v. Strotkamp, 30 Kan.App.2d – (2002) (grandparent visitation – burden of proof, upholding grandparent visitation)

Graham v. Cirrocco, 31 Kan.App.2d 563 (2003) (standards for assessment of physician non-competition agreements)

Magstadtova v. Magstadt, 31 Kan.App.2d 1091 (2003) (assessment of attorneys fees and expenses under Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction of 25 October 1980)

Marriage of Ehinger, 34 Kan.App.2d 583 (2005) (spousal support – statutory power to modify spousal support)

Marriage of Hall, –Kan. – (2012) (child support – court power to order “cooperation” with former spouse to obtain life insurance)

State of Kansas, ex rel. SRS v. Ketzel, 47 Kan.App.2d 536 (2012) (UIFSA – post-decree child support modification jurisdiction, residence)