“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” – F. Scott Firzgerald, The Great Gatsby
A Letter From Our President: Blake Shuart
Our chapter was proud to host the Federal Bar Association’s Annual Meeting & Convention at Crown Center in Kansas City on September 5-7.
Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw made introductory remarks the morning of Thursday, September 5.
A day full of diverse continuing legal education programming followed, kicked off by Perspectives from the Bench: Multidistrict Litigation. CLE programs which followed that day included a Disability Best Practices Working Group, Keys to Successful Federal Criminal Outcomes, a course on non-competes and a panel on the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case, which was tried in the Western District of Missouri. Over lunch, the FBA handed out Younger Federal Lawyer Awards, the Unsung Hero Award, the Shaw Award + Grant and the Elaine R. “Boots” Fisher Award. The afternoon of September 5 included a CLE entitled It is Literally Impossible to be a Woman [Lawyer], a mock mediation workshop and a course on managing patent case dockets. That evening, participants braved the rain and made the trek down the street from the Westin to the National WWI Museum and Memorial for a Welcome Reception. Great jazz and equally great barbecue were enjoyed by all.
Friday, September 6 opened with remarks from Fr. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark DuPree, Sr., WDMO Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., and Cheryl Brown Henderson. A Panel Discussion on the 70th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education followed. The remainder of the day, participants enjoyed CLE presentations on policing and people with disabilities and sports law and litigation, a luncheon reception with keynote speaker Fr. Sen. John C. “Jack” Danforth (MO) and the Robyn J. Spalter and Peter J. Mazza Awards, section meetings and an evening cocktail reception our chapter hosted at Tom’s Town Distilling Co. An invitation-only Fellows of the Foundation Anniversary Dinner at Lidia’s was held as well.
The convention concluded on Saturday, September 7 with a National Council meeting, Presidential Installation Luncheon and chapter breakout sessions.
The event was a blast for all involved. Though it took many years of fundraising and planning, it was well worth the effort. On behalf of the chapter, I want to thank WDMO Judge Stephen R. Bough for his leadership and exemplary efforts in putting us in a position to make this happen, as well as thanking the numerous other members, firms and judges who supported us along the way.
Now on to another great year for our FBA chapter!
Blake Shuart
President, FBA Chapter for the Districts of Kansas & Western Missouri
Apply now for Chapter Community Outreach Grants and Diversity Grants! Chapter Community Outreach Grants fund community service or outreach projects that involve FBA chapter participation. Diversity Grants support educational, community service, or outreach projects or programs with a diversity focus that involve FBA chapter, section, division, or member participation. The maximum individual grant amount for each program is $10,000. The number of grants funded and the amount of each is dependent upon the available funding and the number and quality of applications.
Click on the links below for more information and to access the online application portal for each grant:
The next deadline for all grant applications is December 15. Grants will be awarded by the end of February. Contact foundation@fedbar.org with questions.
2024 Constitution Day Celebrations
By Danielle Atchison, Blake Shuart
The Federal Bar Association of Kansas and Western Missouri with the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas again held celebrations for Constitution Day again this year!
Here are selected pictures from a Constitution Day Event at the Douglas County Courthouse in September 2024. Three local schools participated (86 students). Students enjoyed tours of the courthouse and took turns being present for the reading. Students visited departments and services, including the local self-help center, the 911 dispatch center, court security, and they heard from the Chief judge about the role of the courts, and the District Attorney, and Chief Public Defender spoke about their offices and roles. Students capped off their trips with FBA gavel pencils, pocket Constitutions donated by the District of Kansas, and Constitution Day-themed frosted sugar cookies.
Constitution Day 2024 – Douglas County
There was beautiful weather for our event in Wichita! There were 40-50 kids from The Independent School and another 30 or so from Jefferson Elementary School.
We had 100% participation from the judges in our courthouse: Chief Judge Eric Melgren read the Preamble; Judge John Broomes read multiple sections; Judge Gwynne Birzer read multiple sections (including covering for me once); and Judge Brooks Severson read as well.
We had staff members from Mayor Wu’s office and Sen. Marshall’s office. We had lots of other attorneys, parents and other participants. All in all it was well-attended and a great event.
Join us on Zoom the first Thursday of each month at 4:00pm for monthly chapter meetings – open to all members! For more information please email Fedbarkanmo@gmail.com or visit https://fedbar.org/ to join!
