What’s on Our Minds

Klenda Austerman law firm Wichita, Kansas welcomes Ethan McInteer as Associate. Ethan’s practice focuses on business, aviation law. A majority of his law practice is focused on finance and regulatory compliance as it relates to the aviation industry. Ethan received his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law and his B.A. in Political Science from Kansas State University. At Klenda Austerman Ethan McInteer is dedicated to maximizing client interests through diligent representation. With expertise spanning …

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Klenda Austerman law firm Wichita, Kansas welcomes Lauren Wright as Associate. Lauren is a seasoned oil and gas litigation attorney. A former military brat who considers Wichita home, Lauren received her J.D. from Washburn University School of Law and her B.S. from Fayetteville State University. Lauren worked directly with local, state, and federal agencies on issues relating to environmental concerns and compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations in the areas of energy …

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Cohabitation in Kansas and throughout the United States is an increasingly popular alternative to marriage. With these numbers on the rise, it is easy to assume the law has you covered should separation or death occur. A vast number of unmarried couples are finding the opposite to be true and left with a financial mess in the process. How can you protect yourself if you are in a civil partnership? The solution is simple: make …

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By Chasity Helm | Originally published in July 2019 Bar-o-Meter | https://www.wichitabar.org “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Chapter 3, To Kill a Mockingbird The year was 1962. A young man with sisters, raised by a single mom, and like me, an upbringing we refer to in our adult lives as “growing up poor.” Impressionable, …

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With ongoing trade disputes and a depressed farm economy, debt relief for farmers has been a hot topic. As farming and ranching operations have increased in size, farmers have taken on more debt in their operations. To allow for increased debt relief for farmers, Congress recently introduced the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019. The bill aims to increase access to Chapter 12 bankruptcy by raising the Chapter 12 debt limit to $10 million, from …

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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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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.

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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