“I am deeply honored to be part of the Weigand Family and look forward to embracing this esteemed cohort as I make my mark as a lawyer. I could not be more thrilled to contribute positively to J.L. Weigand’s legacy and am grateful to him for this generous opportunity.”
C.J. Pfanstiel
University of Notre Dame
Weigand Scholar: 2027
Hometown
Overland Park, KS
Education
B.A., Political Science
Rice University, 2024
J.D. Candidate, University of Notre Dame Law School, Anticipated 2027
C.J. Pfanstiel was raised in Overland Park, Kansas and takes immense pride in the pioneer spirit that defines the Great State of Kansas. After attending Notre Dame, he plans to return home and serve his fellow Kansans.
While studying political science at Rice University, C.J. interned for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and U.S. House of Representatives. He was also competitively selected to work as a policy analyst in the Texas Senate through the university’s Harlan Fellowship.
At Notre Dame Law School, C.J. is a teaching assistant for Legal Writing I and II and serves as the Managing Special Symposium Editor on the Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy. C.J. and his four-person mock trial team became Chicago Regional Champions in the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Student Trial Advocacy Competition after going undefeated in their 2026 regional tournament.
During the summer of 2025, C.J. interned for Judge Brian C. Wimes at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri and worked as a summer associate at Kuckelman Torline Kirkland in Overland Park. During the summer of 2026, he will be working as a summer associate at Husch Blackwell in Kansas City.
“Every time I met someone new in college, or even now at law school, they would ask me where I’m from. It has always filled me with pride to say I come from Kansas. I cannot wait to get back.”