Washburn Lawyer, v. 48, no. 1 - Washburn University School of Law

68 | FALL 2010 | WWW.WASHBURNLAW.EDU
ALUMNI NEWS
& Events
CAPLINGER APPOINTED TO
KANSAS SUPREME COURT
Washburn Law alumna Nancy Moritz
Caplinger, ’85, Topeka, was appointed by
Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson to be a justice on
the Kansas Supreme Court. Caplinger joins the
bench to fi ll the vacancy left by the late Chief Justice
Robert Davis.
“When deciding who would next serve on the Kansas
Supreme Court, I had two primary pieces of criteria –
the individual’s intellect and their ability to make an objective decision. Nancy
Moritz Caplinger exhibits these qualities along with the utmost appreciation
for the law and justice,” said Parkinson. “Moreover, Nancy represents the
inspiring possibilities of the American dream. As someone from a small town
who put herself through college and law school, she has been able to rise to
extraordinary heights and build a respected reputation in the legal circle. She
is the type of down-to-earth Kansan we need on the Supreme Court, and I
know she will do remarkable work.”
Caplinger grew up in Tipton, Kan., and her family moved to Salina when she
was 15. She earned her bachelor’s in business administration from Washburn
University and her juris doctor from Washburn Law, where she also served as
the notes editor on the Washburn Law Journal, receiving numerous awards for
her scholarly work.
Caplinger began her legal career as a research attorney for former Supreme
Court Justice Harold S. Herd and then served two years as a law clerk for U.S.
District Court Judge Patrick Kelly. She was an associate in general litigation
practice for the Overland Park fi rm of Spencer Fane Britt & Browne before
being appointed assistant U.S. attorney. Caplinger has been a member of the
Kansas Court of Appeals since October 2004.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this appointment from Governor
Parkinson and join the six other distinguished justices on the Kansas
Supreme Court,” Caplinger said. “I have loved serving on the Kansas Court
of Appeals, and I look forward to bringing my experience as an attorney and
as a judge to Kansas’ highest court.” Caplinger is also active at Washburn
Law, mentoring students through the Mentor Program and participating in
the externship program by hiring several externs for her chambers.
From a list of 13 applicants interviewed by the Supreme Court Nominating
Commission, only three — all Washburn Law graduates — were nominated
in late September to fi ll the vacancy on the Kansas Supreme Court.
Nominees were Caplinger; Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Thomas E.
Malone, ’79, Wichita; and Fifth Judical District Chief Judge Merlin G.
Wheeler, ’77, Emporia, Kan.
BEST OF THE BAR
HONOREES
The Ninth Annual Kansas City Business
Journal Best of the Bar honorees
includes 14 Washburn Law graduates
who were recognized by their peers
for being premier practitioners in the
Kansas City’s legal community.
Scott Ast, ’94
Scharnhorst Ast & Kennard PC
Timothy Aylward, ’82
Horn Aylward & Bandy LLC
James Bird, ’80
Polsinelli Shugart PC
Henry Cox, ’81
Henry R. Cox, Attorney at Law
Steve Gorny, ’94
Bartimus Frickleton Robertson & Gorny PC
Peter Goss, ’05
Wendt Goss PC
Fred Greenbaum, ’80
McAnany Van Cleave & Phillips PA
Lynn Johnson, ’70
Shamberg Johnson & Bergman Chtd.
Christopher Korth, ’85
Law Offi ces of Christopher Korth
Brian Meyers, ’82
The Law Offi ces of Brian Timothy Meyers
Sheryl Nelson, ’90
Corporate Counsel Group LLP
Kevin Regan, ’81
The Regan Law Firm LLC
Todd Scharnhorst, ’94
Scharnhorst Ast and Kennard PC
Samuel Wendt, ’01
Wendt Goss PC