Professional Biography of the Estate Planning Attorneys of Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chtd.

Morris, Laing, et al's team of attorneys offers a broad spectrum of education, experience and expertise. Some of the Firm's members have advanced degrees in finance and business; others have served as law clerks for state and federal judges; still others have held elected office or served in appointed positions in government or regulatory agencies. Their skills, reputation and unquestioned commitment to their clients are the chief reasons for the continuing growth and success of the Firm.

Please call the Kansas probate lawyers of Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chtd., at 866-286-4316 today, or complete the contact form provided on this site to begin your initial consultation.

Firm Address:

Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chtd.
300 N. Mead Street # 200
Wichita, Kansas 67202
Telephone: 866-286-4316

ROBERT I. GUENTHNER, Attorney

Robert I. Guenthner has extensive experience in many areas of estate and commercial law. His expertise in banking includes representing buyers and sellers, forming holding companies and operating subsidiaries, and representing clients before state and federal regulatory agencies. His clients have included businesses and bank trustees in connection with industrial revenue bond issues, as well as a major savings and loan association in the issuance of collateralized mortgage obligations.

Practice Areas:

• Commercial Law
• General Corporate Law
• Healthcare
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Taxation
• Trusts and Estates

Education:

• University of Kansas, JD, 1967
• University of Kansas, Phi Beta Kappa, BA, 1964

Professional Background:

• Kansas Bar, 1967
• Fellow of the American College of Probate Counsel and member of the Wichita Estate Planning Council (President 1977-1978)
• Member/Vice-Chairman of the Kansas Board of Discipline for Attorneys
• Director/Vice-Chairman of the Kansas Development Finance Authority

Civic/Community Involvement:

• Frequent lecturer on programs involving tax, estate planning, and probate issues for both the Wichita and Kansas Bar Associations

ROBERT K. ANDERSON, Attorney

Robert K. Anderson has an active practice representing corporations, partnerships and individuals on tax and general business matters, as well as estate administration. His experience encompasses: estate administration, representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and in Tax Court, and all business organization and corporation matters, including stock or asset purchase and sales.

Practice Areas:

• Commercial Law
• General Corporate Law
• Healthcare
• Taxation
• Trusts and Estates

Education:

• University of Kansas, JD, 1984
• University of Kansas, BA, 1981

Professional Background:

• Certified Public Accountant, 1982
• Kansas Bar, 1984
• Member, American Institute of CPAs
• Member, Kansas Society of CPAs

Civic/Community Involvement:

• Frequent lecturer before business and professional groups on estate planning and administration, as well as tax and general business topics

ROGER L. THEIS, Attorney

Roger L. Theis has extensive experience representing banks in reorganizations, merger transactions, and restructurings involving bank holding companies. His practice in the oil and gas area includes title examinations, asset acquisitions and advising on day-to-day problems. Mr. Theis also practices in the area of estate planning and probate administration.

Practice Areas:

• Commercial Law
• General Corporate Law
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Oil and Gas Related Litigation
• Real Estate
• Trusts and Estates

Education:

• Georgetown University, JD, 1986
• Wichita State University, BA, 1982

Professional Background:

• Kansas Bar, 1986
• Member, Kansas Bar Association
• Member, Wichita Bar Association

RICHARD F. HAYSE, Attorney

Richard F. Hayse has handled the various legal aspects of business sales, prepared and delivered opinions in complex interstate financial transactions, and represented clients in several revenue bond issues as well as in commercial litigation. Mr. Hayse's clients include manufacturers, distributors, retailers, banks, computer companies, food service, real estate, professional firms and public agencies. He practices in both state and federal courts in Kansas, as well as before state administrative agencies and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Hayse's practice also includes work with the Kansas legislature on pending legislation.

Practice Areas:

• Business Organizations Law
• Real Estate Law
• Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
• Banking
• Bankruptcy

Education:

• Washburn University Law School, JD, 1969
• Kansas State University, BA, 1964

Professional Background:

• Editor-In-Chief, Washburn Law Journal, 1968-69
• Kansas Bar, 1969
• U.S. District Court, 1969
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1989
• Assistant Kansas Attorney General (civil), 1969-70
• Foreign Service Information Officer, U.S. Information Agency, 1971-75
• Private law practice, Topeka, Kansas, 1975 – present
• Kansas Bar Association
• • President 2005 – 2006
  • Member, Board of Governors, 2000 – 2005
• Member/Past Director, Topeka Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Co-author, Business Organizations chapter, Kansas Annual Survey of Law
  1990 – present
• Chapter Author, Kansas Corporation Law and Practice (KBA 1998)

Noteworthy Cases:

• Richards v. Bryan, 19 Kan. App.2d 950, 879 P.2d 638 (1994). In a closely held corporation, Kansas court may recognize a direct claim by a minority shareholder under specified circumstances.
• Patterson v. Missouri Valley Steel, Inc., 229 Kan. 481, 625 P.2d 483 (1981). Dissolved Kansas corporation may not sue or be sued after the statutory three-year wind-up period without a court-ordered extension or the appointment of a trustee or receiver.

Civic/Community Involvement:

• Past director/past president:
• • Cornerstone of Topeka, Inc.
  • Topeka Lions Club Topeka Youth Project
  • Topeka Symphony Society
  • Shawnee Yacht Club
• Past chapter advisor, Phi Delta Theta chapter at Washburn University

THOMAS R. DOCKING, Attorney

Thomas R. Docking has practiced before state and federal courts, administrative tribunals and the IRS. He has represented individuals, businesses, commercial banks, and municipal governments in matters including environmental law, property taxation, probate, securities law and business litigation.

Practice Areas:

• Commercial Law
• Taxation
• Trusts and Estates
• Banking

Education:

• University of Kansas, JD, MBA 1980
• University of Kansas, BA, 1976

Professional Background:

• Beta Gamma Sigma
• Kansas Bar, 1980
• Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, 1983-1987
• Past Chairman/Director of various state boards and agencies, including:
• • Kansas Tax Review Commission
  • Governor's High Technology Task Force
  • Kansas Securities Review Commission

Civic/Community Involvement:

• Member, Board of Directors, several state and local charities and community service organizations
• Member, Board of Directors, two commercial banks
• Frequent lecturer and panel member at taxation and estate planning seminars

JAN HUCK WARD, Attorney

Janet Huck Ward's experience includes providing legal solutions for estates of all sizes. Ms. Ward has represented clients on income, estate and property tax issues before the Internal Revenue Service, the State Board of Tax Appeals, and courts at both the state and federal level. Ms. Ward practiced as a Certified Public Accountant for a number of years before devoting herself to the practice of law, and she has represented individuals, small businesses, non-profit entities and major corporations on a wide range of business and legal matters.

Practice Areas:

• General Corporate Law
• Taxation
• Trusts and Estates

Education:

• University of Kansas, JD, 1992
• Wichita State University, BBA, cum laude 1980

Professional Background:

• Kansas Bar, 1992
• Certified Public Accountant