What’s on Our Minds

An employee policy manual, or employment handbook, can serve multiple purposes if prepared correctly. Not only can it effectively communicate an employer’s company policies and expectations to employees, but it can function as part of the employer’s defense to unwanted, and unwarranted, labor and employment disputes. But, if the handbook is haphazardly assembled from Google search results, or was prepared by a lawyer so long ago that the attorney is no longer in practice, it …

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Those that work for the federal court system look to be the latest government employees that will feel the impact of the government shutdown. According to www.ajc.com, the U.S. judiciary has made “aggressive efforts to reduce expenditures,” which reportedly means the judiciary is only funded to operate as normal through January 25th. After that, employees considered “essential” will have to work without pay. Each federal district is handling the shutdown in a way that makes …

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Three attorneys at Klenda Austerman have been named Super Lawyers by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2018: Gary M. Austerman; J. Michael Morris; David W. Steed. In addition, three attorneys were recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Aaron J. Good; Chasity M. Helm; Eric W. Lomas. This is Gary Austerman’s 13th consecutive year recognized as a top rated attorney in medical malpractice defense. Mike Morris has been selected as a top rated bankruptcy attorney …

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In commemoration of Veterans Day, the attorneys at Klenda Austerman sincerely thank all of our veterans who preserve our country’s freedom, including our own, Val Wachtel who served in Vietnam. Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919 – the first anniversary of World War I. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day honors all American veterans – living or deceased – for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for …

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As judges are appointed and come up for retention vote, attorneys are often approached by friends and family for information about the candidates. How well do you know your federal and state justices? Do you know how many serve at each level? We encourage you to get to know those interpreting the laws of Kansas and the United States.

Midterms are November 6, 2018. Those issues you say you care about? They are directly impacted by who is running the government. Make your opinion heard: vote for congressional leaders and important state and local leaders. Through the elections process, you have the ability to decide on what is important to you and help elect leadership to work on your behalf. Legislative actions have direct impact on your life, your children, your pay, your benefits, …

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2018 has been a crucial year for information privacy. From the Facebook scandal to the opening of the door for re-thinking the Fourth Amendment, privacy rights in the United States are on the brink of change. The Supreme Court plays a key role in shaping this process. And with two new conservative justices appointed by Donald Trump, many fear the Supreme Court will work to narrow the scope of civil rights. But, when it comes …

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With Supreme Court news dominating the headlines, many may be wondering just how the courts were established. The Judiciary Act of 1789, officially titled “An Act to Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States,” was signed into law by President George Washington on September 24, 1789. Article III of the Constitution established a Supreme Court, but left to Congress the authority to create lower federal courts as needed. Principally authored by Senator Oliver Ellsworth …

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Three attorneys at Klenda Austerman have been named 2017 Super Lawyers by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers: Gary M. Austerman; J. Michael Morris; David W. Steed. In addition, three attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Aaron J. Good; Chasity M. Helm; Eric W. Lomas. This is Gary Austerman’s 12th consecutive year recognized as a top rated attorney in medical malpractice defense. Mike Morris has been selected as a top rated bankruptcy attorney 11 …

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1957. Elvis Presley purchased Graceland. The Cat in the Hat was introduced. Teenagers danced to American Bandstand. And Robert Kaplan began practicing law. Shortly after, he opened his own practice – Kaplan, McMillan and Harris – in downtown Wichita and quickly gained a reputation as an attorney who fought hard for his clients and what was just. His generosity, dedication, honest approach and drive to help people who he thought got a bad deal, earned …

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