Attorney News

Amy S. Lemley

Amy S. Lemley, a partner at the Foulston Siefkin Law Firm, was recently elected Chair of the Client Protection Fund Commission. The Kansas Client Protection Fund Commission consists of one judge, four active lawyers, and two non-lawyers, appointed by the Kansas Supreme Court. The Commission considers claims resulting in losses from attorney misappropriations and defalcations. Service is limited to two consecutive three year terms, and the Commission meets quarterly.

Eligible claims must arise from the dishonest conduct of an active member of the bar, in the course of a lawyer-client relationship and by reason of that relationship, and must be filed within one year after the claimant knew or should have known of the loss. "Dishonest conduct" is defined as wrongful taking or conversion, refusal to refund unearned fees, borrowing from a client with no intent or ability to repay, or intentional dishonesty which proximately leads to a loss. It is the Commission's practice to consider claims at the next quarterly meeting, approving payment if proof of loss is established. Some claims will be carried over for further investigation, and claims which potentially exceed the attorney cap must, of necessity, be held until the Commission is certain that all claims have been filed or the time in which to file a claim has lapsed. Prompt payment, however, is the Commission's goal.

Lemley is a University of Texas School of Law graduate and a Wichita resident. Ms. Lemley is the practice area leader for Foulston Siefkin’s general litigation group. Her practice focuses primarily on defense of professional negligence claims. She has substantial experience defending peer review matters, and in risk management. She has tried more than sixty jury trials and has counseled numerous health care clients in the course of peer review investigations. Ms. Lemley enjoys Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory’s highest "AV" rating for lawyers and is listed in the Best Lawyers of America. Her peer memberships include the American Board of Trial Advocates, Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, the Defense Research Institute and the International Association of Defense Counsel.

Harvey R. Sorensen

Foulston Siefkin attorney, Harvey R. Sorensen, was elected Chair-Elect of the World Services Group (WSG) for the year 2004-2005. He succeeds Jaime Carey, Managing Partner of Carey y Cia, Chile’s largest law firm. Officers were elected by representatives from over 100 states and countries including Kansas based Foulston Siefkin.

Harvey Sorensen is a partner at Foulston Siefkin, the largest law firm in Kansas. He has degrees from Beloit College, Boston University and Northwestern University. He serves as co-chair of the Visioneering Wichita steering committee and serves on the board of directors of a number of organizations including the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation, and Goodwill Industries Easter Seal Society of Kansas, Inc. His law practice focuses on advising entrepreneurs and family owned businesses through the life cycle of the business, its owners and their families. His practice also includes extensive mergers and acquisitions for public and private companies, income tax planning and inter-generational tax planning. Mr. Sorensen is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel.

Harvey R. Sorensen, Foulston Siefkin Partner, commented, “The needs of our clients are not confined to legal services nor are they confined to Kansas, but rather they extend to many other types of services across North America and elsewhere in the world. As Chair-Elect of this worldwide multi-disciplinary organization of independent service providers I believe this is an exciting opportunity that will bring many benefits to our firm and our clients.”

World Services Group (WSG) is the world’s largest and leading network of independent elite professional services firms and companies. Membership is by invitation only and limited to one firm per jurisdiction for each type of service. To qualify for membership the firm or company must be among the several leaders in their state, country or internationally for their services. WSG is built on the expertise and professional experience of each of the 18,000+ professionals at its 138 member jurisdictions. Members are able to: transparently access other member’s professionals to enhance client services; offer clients a complete palette of services for any transaction; instantly share experiences, new developments and other leading-edge information; and assist clients to capitalize on new business opportunities. Members offer clients comprehensive solutions. More information about WSG can be found at http://www.worldservicesgroup.com.

Stewart T. Weaver

Stewart T. Weaver has been elected a fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Stewart T. Weaver is a partner at the Wichita office of Foulston Siefkin LLP, the largest law firm in Kansas. He has degrees from St. Mary of the Plains College, and Washburn University. Mr. Weaver represents clients primarily in connection with estate and tax planning and the administration of trusts and estates.

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel is a professional association consisting of approximately 2,700 lawyers from throughout the United States. Fellows are selected on the basis of professional reputation and ability in the fields of trusts and estates and on the basis of having made substantial contributions to these fields through lecturing, writing, teaching and bar activities.

Scott C. Nehrbass

Foulston Siefkin LLP, the largest law firm in Kansas, is pleased to announce that Scott C. Nehrbass has become a Partner with the firm. Mr. Nehrbass practices in the Overland Park Corporate Woods office and focuses his practice on wide variety of tort litigation and business litigation matters. Nehrbasss received a J.D. from University of Kansas, Order of the Coif and Kansas Law Review, in 1993, and a B.S. from University of Kansas, with distinction, in 1989. Mr. Nehrbass is on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel and has tried cases to both juries and courts in Kansas state and federal courts and argued appeals before the Tenth Circuit, Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals. Mr. Nehrbass is admitted to practice in Kansas and Missouri and can be reached at 913.498.2100 or snehrbass@foulston.com.