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Weigand alumni Richard Budden (Washburn ’12) and Mark Lippelmann (Washburn ’07, ‘08) were among the talented cast of attorneys who took the stage during the 2013 Wichita Bar Show. Practicing members of the Wichita Bar Association performed “Brownback Mountain…I wish I could quit you” on June 19^th and 20^th at the Wichita Orpheum Theatre. Every year, the Bar Show rotates between Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City, and coincides with the Kansas Bar Association’s annual conference.

Written and directed by attorneys, the Wichita Bar Show contained lyrics and skits that parodied politics and current events, as well as individuals and songs of popular culture. Familiar Broadway melodies and tunes from recent and classic Billboard hits could be heard throughout the 2.5-hour running time. 

Starting in March, around 100 members of the WBA—judges, practicing attorneys, and judicial clerks—began music and dance rehearsals, along with production crew activities. “It started out with just an hour of musical practice a couple of times a week, but by the end, we were putting in at least 15-20 hours of rehearsal time per week,” Budden said. 

During their many hours of preparation, Budden and Lippelmann interacted with several Wichita lawyers who share an interest in music and theater. “It was great to see judges and attorneys in a collaborative and casual setting, and to meet people whom I wouldn’t see otherwise,” Lippelmann said. 

Fellow Weigand alumni Amelia Yowell (Notre Dame ’09, ’10, ’11) and Sam Foreman (Washburn ’09, ’10, ’11) attended the opening night event. Regarding the performance, Yowell said, “I really enjoyed the clever lyrics put to the tune of popular songs. Where else can you hear songs from Hairspray, Les Misérables, Taylor Swift, and LMFAO in the same show?” 

Foreman was particularly impressed with Budden and Lippelmann. “It was clear they’d both devoted a great deal of time to honing their stagecraft. I just assumed the only dancing and singing they did was metaphorically around the courthouse in their memos and opinions, but they were really quite good,” Foreman said.

The first act concluded with “Voters from the Grave,” which spoofed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Weigand Trust director Claudette Glenn said, “‘Thriller’ blew me away! They had a full stage of zombies not just doing the familiar dance, but the extended version! And they carried it out with incredible precision!”

Another highlight of the first act was the story of an aspiring associate who yearned to work in the top-story corner office during “Partner Upstairs,” set to the classic melody of “That Lucky Old Sun.” During the second act, Hillary Clinton’s character made a surprising appearance at the Kansas Republican retreat to spoof Les Misérables in “I Schemed a Scheme.” Even Nancy Pelosi’s character seemed to channel Taylor Swift during “We Will Never Ever Put a Deal Together.” Other political parodies included “Koch’s Hideaway,” “Obama Budget,” and “Age of Brownbackistan.”

At the end of the show, Glenn was overwhelmed by the talent on stage. “I was even more impressed by the obvious teamwork and commitment of the Wichita legal community in putting on such a performance. I have to think activities such as this contribute to the Wichita legal culture in an ongoing, positive manner.”

Positive, indeed. Opening night admission to the Bar Show was $5 or 3 nonperishable food items per person. With strong attendance, the WBA succeeded in raising the equivalent of 12,000 meals for the Wichita Foodbank Warehouse Inc. 

“After putting together such a massive undertaking, we all share a bond in accomplishing a job well done,” Budden said. “That bond, I’m told, lasts a long while for everyone.”

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On May 24th, Joel Griffiths (KU ’10, ’11, ’12) graduated from New York University School of Law with an LL.M. in Taxation.  Griffiths is the second Weigand Alumnus to earn an LL.M. from NYU, joining Eric Pauly (Washburn ’06, ’07, ’08) who earned his LL.M. in 2009.  NYU is widely regarded as the top graduate tax program in the country, and has been ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report since 1992, the year the rankings began.

“I am proud to be the second Weigand alum to earn a Tax LL.M.,” said Griffiths.

Griffiths and Pauly are part of select group of attorneys in Kansas with a Tax LL.M.  Griffiths knew for some time that he wanted to get the advanced degree, but settled on NYU for two reasons.

“First, is the reputation of the university.  Second, I chose NYU for the fact that it is in a cultural center of the world,” Griffiths said.

            Despite having spent the last year away from his home state, Griffiths sought the degree so that he could be of more service to Kansas clients.  And after completing all of the coursework, he’s convinced that he was right.

“I have been around some of the brightest minds in tax, and have had the opportunity to pick their brains on tax issues.  The professors here have done a great job of making us think like tax lawyers, and I feel that will help me no matter how long I practice,” Griffiths said. “It will also help me to have the respect people coming out of the program receive.  My name is now followed by six magical letters - NYU LL.M.”

In the three years since he earned his LL.M. and returned to practice in Wichita, Pauly has found that the additional education and degree have had an impact on his career.

“It provided a broad background in tax and has tremendously helped me provide advice to clients.  As a young lawyer, the LL.M. also helped build credibility both with colleagues and clients,” Pauly said.  “Like many other Weigands, I think Joel and I have prepared ourselves the best we could to come back to serve fellow Kansans.”

In addition to the value of the degree for his career, Griffiths is thankful for the opportunity to spend a year living in New York City.

“I had lived my entire life in Kansas, and after accepting the Weigand Scholarship I knew I would remain there to work.  However, I felt to truly have ‘world view’ of life, I needed to experience some different things.  New York City has helped me develop this world perspective,” Griffiths said.

Griffiths noted that while Pauly was able to give him insight into certain professors and classes, it was another member of the extended Weigand Family, Pauly’s wife Terra, who provided him with the truly useful advice.

            “Terra helped even more by telling me how much fun she had while living out here and giving me suggestions on places to visit and things to do,” Griffiths said.

            Griffiths is moving back to Kansas this summer and will join Pauly in the Wichita office of Foulston Siefkin LLP.

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This year, four Weigand scholars will graduate and return to Wichita to begin their legal careers.  Congratulations to our students, left to right:

Joel Griffiths, New York University - LL.M. (Foulston Siefkin, Wichita); Sarah Burch, Notre Dame - J.D. (Foulston Siefkin, Wichita); Jeffrey Pyle, Kansas University - J.D. (Martindell Swearer Shaffer Ridenour, Hutchinson); Kendra Hanson, Washburn University - J.D. (Seigfreid Bingham, Kansas City)

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