What’s on Our Minds

While most of the nation was fighting off the urge to snooze into a tryptophan-induced coma following Thanksgiving dinner last November, attorneys for AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, were busy preparing the company for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  In a follow up to that story that made holiday headlines, American Airlines recently announced that it will cut up to 14,000 jobs in an effort to lower labor costs and get out of bankruptcy. …

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Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman & Zuercher, LLC. has changed its name to Klenda Austerman LLC after recently celebrating 40 years in business.  The change, effective immediately, stems in part from partner Alex Mitchell leaving to establish his own practice. “We wish Alex well as he moves on,” Gary Austerman says, “while we look forward to the next stage of our firm’s ongoing professional journey.” Klenda Austerman, attorneys at law, employs a team approach to provide legal …

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Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman & Zuercher, LLC marked its 40th anniversary in 2011. During 2011 we commemorated this milestone with our 40/Forty Project.  Our staff, attorneys and family members achieved our goal of completing 40 community service projects giving back to the community that has given us so much.

The Recent Debate “Raising Cain” In the Workplace 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 …

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In 2003, the Adopt-a-School Organization was foundedas a “call to action” campaign to gather the Wichita private business sectors’ support for our schools through donations of time, service and money.  Over $500,000 has been raised helping 600 teachers purchase supplies and books for their Kansas area classrooms.  This year, KMAZ contributed to the program by donating  and delivering bottled water for the Tournament and donating reusable water bottles for the teacher gift bags.

Although The Salvation Army may be most widely recognized for its Christmas Assistance Programs, its reach extends far beyond the holiday season.  KMAZ employee Starla Clithero has been a soldier (member) of The Salvation Army since she was 14.  Throughout the years she has donated endless hours to the organization, donating time to everything from ringing bells during the holidays to volunteering for various children’s programs.  For the past 4 years, between January and May, …

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  Dress for Success (DFS) is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide disadvantaged women re-entering the workforce with interview and office appropriate clothing.  A DFS client receives at least one interview appropriate business suit allowing her to participate in her job search feeling confident and reassured.  Dress for Success Wichita (DFSW), an affiliate of the national DFS organization, goes above and beyond just providing a suit for its clientele.  DFSW’s primary goal …

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  Wichita Riverfest, like KMAZ, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011.  In 1971, Wichita Festivals Inc. organized the Wichitennial River Festival and Traders Day Celebration, which by 1974 grew into the 10day annual event now known as the Wichita Riverfest. The Riverfest continues to achieve its original goal of bringing our community together, building community pride and focusing onWichita’s great natural resource, theArkansas River.  The Riverfest depends upon a score of community volunteers, and KMAZ …

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The Kansas Aviation Museum hosts a United States Air Force B-47 plane that was retrieved from the Oklahoma state fairgrounds in 2007. The plane was assembled during the summer of 2010, but has needed a finished paint job before it is officially restored. On June 4, KMAZ gathered at the Kansas Aviation Museum along with regular museum volunteers to roll a fresh coat of paint onto the old war plane. KMAZ also donated the paint …

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In 1981, six Wichita police officers came to then Chief Richard LaMunyon with an idea that would unite local law enforcement agencies andthe community for a special cause:  Special Olympics Kansas.  Decades later, Law Enforcement Torch Run has ignited into the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics worldwide.  Each year, law enforcement officers relay the Flame of Hope across the globe in support of a very special population.  The runners blaze …

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