BBBS matches volunteer adults with children, most whom come from single parent households and low-income families.  BBBS believes in nurturing children to help them achieve their full potential.  The Bowl-a-thon is one of the organization’s largest fundraisers. For more information on this organization visit BBBS online.

The National MS Society helps those affected by MS through its involvement in research, advocacy, professional education and by providing programs and services to those with MS and their families.  To get involved, you can register to participate for the Wichita Walk MS here, or by donating to the Mid-America Chapter of the MS Society here.

 Anyone arrested for a DUI or other crimes associated with DUIs, such as Possession of Controlled Substances, Minor in Consumption (MIC) or Minor in Possession (MIP), should contact an attorney as soon as possible.  Klenda Austerman attorneys can be of assistance in these complex areas of the law and are happy to sit down with you to discuss your case and your rights. For further information, please contact M. Bake Cooper at bcooper@klendalaw.com.

Airlines are no strangers to the bankruptcy courtroom.  American Airlines is the third largest carrier in the United States.  The top two carriers, United and Delta, each previously sought bankruptcy relief by filing Chapter 11.  Bankruptcy can allow a company to reorganize its operations by restructuring debts and renegotiating or eliminating certain obligations.  One way to accomplish this goal is simply by downsizing its work force.  The company often remains in business during the pendency of the case with the goal of emerging from bankruptcy in a better financial position.

So, what does this restructuring mean to the average airline traveler?  It is too early to know for sure what American will do in its bankruptcy case.  Most likely, the airline will attempt to streamline its operations, restructure debts, and rework labor agreements, allowing it to be more competitive with its peers and more attractive for a potential merger.

If you have bought a ticket and are planning to fly on American Airlines in the coming year, there is little reason to worry.  The airline’s operations will be business as usual, at least in the short term.  There will be little perceptible change for now, as American has vowed to honor all reservations and even continue its frequent flyer program.  However, plans (in both travel and bankruptcy) are subject to change, and the prudent traveler should keep an eye on the process by visiting AA.com/restructuring.

The bankruptcy case is In re AMR Corp., Case No. 11-15463, filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

The firm was founded in 1971. Its Wichita-based headquarters are in the iconic Epic Center on North Main. It also maintains an office in Topeka, Kan. Klenda Austerman’s wide-ranging areas of practice include aircraft finance, antitrust, bankruptcy, business, criminal law, family law, elder law, employment, environmental, estate, finance, franchise, health care, immigration/naturalization, insurance defense, international, litigation, litigation risk management, medical malpractice defense, mergers and acquisitions, non-compete, personal injury, probate, product liability, real estate, securities, tax, technology, and trusts and wills.

The recent debate over the sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain has focused on potential political implications and whether Mr. Cain’s campaign can handle and survive these issues.  The media has largely ignored what role, if any, Mr. Cain’s former employer may have played in investigating and dealing with its employees’ complaints.  An employer that fails to investigate and respond to an employee’s complaint of inappropriate conduct by a co-worker or superior is simply inviting litigation.  Employers should have established procedures for dealing with these complaints that includes the following considerations.

• Never ignore the complaint. Treat it seriously.
• Immediately document the complaint and every action you take to investigate and address the issue.
• Let all parties involved know that you take such complaints seriously, and improper conduct will not be tolerated.
• Insure that your investigation is full, impartial and objective.
• Determine whether other employees may have been subject to past harassment and investigate appropriately.
• Take no action which appears to single out or isolate the complaining employee.
• Make sure that those responsible for such investigations are properly trained and educated.

If employees are assured employers will fairly and objectively address complaints of a hostile work environment, they are less likely to take legal action. If employees know their organization will vigilantly address such issues, they are less likely to engage in a bad behavior. In the end, by being proactive, employers can rest assured no one will be “raising Cain” with their organization.

 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS. Your participation will support programs, services, and research sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society that makes a huge difference to the people who must fight MS every day of their lives.