Published Quarterly by the Johnson County Bar Association Volume 23 Number 4 December 2009 Court Bonds: A step ahead. When it comes to choosing a reliable source for Court Bonds consider this: BarLetter Committee and Writing Staff The Bar Plan is an expert in providing Court Bonds to attorneys. We’re dedicated to the legal “Having a busy probate practice, it Scott Gyllenborg (Editor) communities we serve. We offer a broad range is very important to us to have well G. Gordon Atcheson (Co-Editor) of bonds, a 24-hour turnaround time and are established procedures for obtaining Karen Arnold-Burger court bonds. I have always been Linda Coffee staffed with knowledgeable underwriters. impressed with the responsiveness of Jeffrey Deines the staff at The Bar Plan.” Kathleen Harvey We pride ourselves on the lasting relationships Andrew Hennier we’ve built by being “diligent and responsive.” John Gunn Christian Kelly Being “easy to deal with” and having an The Gunn Law Firm, PC Leo Logan “impressive staff” are just two of the many Insured since 2001 Lori Maher benefits offered by The Bar Plan. Claire McCurdy John Pickett Every law practice needs reliable business Christine M. Graham partners. Relax: feel confident about your - Articles are Welcome - choice in court bond providers. Please send to Linda Coffee [email protected] We help lawyers build a better practice. Lawyers’ Professional Liability Insurance • Court Bonds Risk Management • Practice Management • Workers’ Compensation Lawyers’ Business Owner’s Policy • The Missouri Bar Association Group Term Life Insurance* Contact The Bar Plan Insurance Agency at 877-288-9040 *Available to Missouri Bar Members only www.thebarplan.com BarLetter Committee and Writing Staff Scott Gyllenborg (Editor) In This Issue G. Gordon Atcheson (Co-Editor) Karen Arnold-Burger Linda Coffee President’s Page . 4 Jeffrey Deines Kathleen Harvey 2009 Habitat for Humanity . 5 Andrew Hennier Christian Kelly 2009 Senior Quest . 6 Leo Logan Greg Kincaid - Lawyer & Author . 7 Lori Maher Claire McCurdy Kansas Budget Issues. .10 John Pickett Christine M. Graham Appellate Cases of Interest. .11 - Articles are Welcome - Internet Access in Heaven?. .12 Please send to Linda Coffee Address Changes . .13 [email protected] the BarLetter, the official pub- Bulletin Board . .14 lication of the Johnson County Bar Association, covers legal news Real Estate Law . .15 and issues of interest to members. Bankruptcy . .16 Articles are intended to generate ideas readers can apply to their New Members . .18 own practice. the BarLetter is published bi-monthly and distrib- Classifed Ads . .19 uted to approximately 2,000 at- torneys, judges, and legal profes- sionals in Johnson County and the Upcoming Bar Luncheons surrounding county area. Dead- line for submission of articles and advertising is the 10th day of December 2, 2009, 11:45 a.m., Ritz Charles, 9000 W. 137th Street the following months: January, March, May, July, September, The featured speaker at the December 2, 2009 Membership Luncheon meeting is JCBA and November. The publication member and author Greg Kincaid. Greg’s book “A Dog Named Christmas” is a New of any advertisement or product York Times Best Seller and a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie to be broadcast at 8:00 pm information is not to be construed on Sunday, November 29 on CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame channel. as an endorsement of the prod- uct or service offered unless the In this heartwarming novel, Greg Kincaid tells the tender story of how one very special ad specifically states that there is dog changed the lives of his adoptive family – and an entire town – forever. For more such an endorsement or approval. information on Greg’s book, you can visit www.adognamedchristmas.com and www. the BarLetter is a non-partisan hhof.tv. You can pre-order a copy of the book to be signed at the luncheon. Email publication intended to inform [email protected]. our members, provide services to our members, and give members January 6, 2010, 11:45 a.m., Ritz Charles, 9000 W. 137th Street an opportunity to contribute to the association. Statements or ex- February 3, 2010, 11:45 a.m., Ritz Charles, 9000 W. 137th Street pressions of opinions are those of the authors and do not necessar- ily represent those of the Johnson County Bar Association. the BarLetter December 2009 3 President’s Page It’s All About Giving By Christine M. Graham, 2009-2010 JCBA President s we rapidly approach the with others by helping develop and present your time, talents, and treasures to further A holiday season, I want to take important programs, by writing articles, the mission of the Bar Association and the this opportunity to reflect on all of the by helping develop important legislation, Bar Foundation. giving our members do every year and and by assisting our local charities with to encourage all of you to find a way to various legal issues. Many of our members contribute. There are so many different volunteer their talents by taking on pro Happy Holidays! ways our members contribute to the Bar bono legal matters to assist less fortunate Association, the Bar Foundation and our individuals in our community achieve equal community. This tradition of generosity access to justice. And, our most talented by our mem- party planners bers is one of put on one the things that terrific Charity make me most proud to be a S t a m p e d e member of the year after year Johnson Coun- so that the ty Bar Associa- F o u n d a t i o n tion. has more and The head more resources of my church with which to f r e q u e n t l y help our local thanks our charities. We congregation are lucky to for giving its have so many “time, talents, talented and and treasures.” I’ve always liked this g e n e r o u s phrase and how succinctly it illustrates the individuals in our Bar Association. different ways we can support those causes Last, but certainly not least, the outpouring “The Right Mediator that are important to us. Our members give of financial giving by our members in this Does Make A Difference” their time, talents, and treasures every day, very difficult year has exceeded all of our and in many different ways. expectations. We have all seen how the As time seems to be the resource most downturn in the economy has impacted the valued in our fast paced society, I want to legal profession. Despite these hardships, first recognize our members who donate we have seen tremendous generosity by our hours upon hours of their time to our members, who continue to provide financial Bar Association, Bar Foundation and the support for our many projects. The Bar community. These individuals plan and Foundation continues to grow as a result organize our committee events and CLE of yet another wildly successful Charity programs, attend to the management of Stampede, the addition of new Fellows, the association and foundation by serving and some significant bequests from on the Boards, come out on weekends to members who have recently passed away. help build our annual Habitat for Humanity The continued financial support of our house, devote time to important political members is essential if the Bar Association and the Bar Foundation have any hope of Kansas City issues like the preservation of our judicial Vance C. Preman selection process, spend the day at Senior achieving our mission. Any contribution, Mediation & Arbitration Quest answering questions and helping big or small, will help further our goals. seniors, and countless other activities. The So, if you haven’t joined the Foundation, Service (KCMAS) devotion of our members to these tasks is please consider doing so. If you haven’t what makes the Bar Association so strong attended the Charity Stampede, put it on (816) 756.2323 and our members an important force in our your calendar for next year. And, if you are community. working on your personal estate planning, The talents our members possess and consider a bequest to the Bar Foundation. [email protected] While I thank those of you who have given 4330 Belleview freely share is also reflected in these and Kansas City, MO 64111 other giving opportunities. Our members so much already, I really want to encourage who have developed special expertise in all of our members to find a way to become their area of practice share their knowledge a part of this tradition of giving by lending OCertifiedut of Area in Call Missouri (800) & 245.8731 Kansas (816) 756.3389 (fax) 4 the BarLetter December2009 2009 Habitat for Humanity Project THANK YOU to our Sponsors! Golden Hammer ($1,000 Or More) 2008 Ethics for Good Proceeds Raise the Roof ($500 to $999) Long & Luder, P.A. Keith Martin Rafters ($250 to $499) Tom Griswold & Noreen Puhala The Henry Law Firm, P.A. Sheila Russell Studs ($100 to $249) Steven R. Anderson Hon. Brenda Cameron The Dorothy Law Firm Hon. Chuck Droege Hon. Gerald Elliott Hon. Neil Foth G. Taylor Hess James K. Logan Hon. Kelly Ryan Hon. Larry Sheppard Hon. Allen Slater Hon. Steve Tatum Hon. Linda Trigg (Lunch Sponsor) Hon. Dan Vokins Michael Yakimo, Jr. Foundation (Up to $99) Stephanie Smith Wine Tasting Sponsors 1st Pairing - Kevin E. Dellett Chtd. 2nd Pairing - Linda Coffee & Lori Maher 3rd Pairing - Gyllenborg & Dunn, P.A. 4th Pairing - Tim & Stephanie Elliott 5th Pairing - N. Trey Pettlon, III Silent Auction Sponsors Wine Opener Kit - Lori Maher Etched Glasses - JCBA Wine - Chuck Andres Wine - John Gerstle Wine - Bob Andrews Wine - Dave Carson/Shane’s Bonding Watercraft Rides- Frank Austenfeld Wine - Holly Buser the BarLetter December 2009 5 2009 Senior Quest Johnson County Bar Association & Tenth Judicial District Participate in “Senior Spooktacular” By Chuck Andres n September 27, 2009, fifteen OJCBA members, along with Linda Coffee and paralegal volunteers, participated in the 2009 Senior Quest “Senior Spooktacular!” This year’s Hal- loween themed event brought together many Johnson County government agen- cies, businesses and organizations in the county’s biggest, most comprehensive annual information fair for older adults, with more than 125 exhibitors.