Experience

City of Manhattan, Kansas

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• City Attorney

  • Aug 2015 - Present

  General legal counsel for a municipality with a population of more than 50,000, a budget of more than $150 million and a workforce of more than 400 FT employees. Represent the City in all legal issues affecting the municipality and in civil litigation. Provide legal opinions to the City Commission, City staff and appointed officials; draft, negotiate and write contracts; research and draft City ordinances, resolutions and policies. Present on legal issues at public meetings; communicate with the media regarding city legal issues. As department head, manage the department's budget and supervise 15 employees of the City Attorney's Office, City Prosecutor's Office and administrative staff at the Manhattan Municipal Court. Show less

• Assistant City Attorney

  • Jan 2014 - Aug 2015

  Returned to the City Attorney's Office to work in a part-time position. Represent the city in all legal issues facing the municipality, including First Amendment law, real estate, land use and employment. Research and write ordinances, agreements, legal opinions and administrative documents. Draft contracts, personnel policies, and represent the City in litigation.



Washburn University School of Law

• Topeka, KS

• Adjunct Law Faculty

  • Jun 2013 - Present

  Develop and teach the hybrid classroom/online courses. LW-965-0, "Legal Analysis, Research and Writing for the Government Client," Spring 2022, Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2013 Develop and teach the hybrid classroom/online courses. LW-965-0, "Legal Analysis, Research and Writing for the Government Client," Spring 2022, Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2013



Kansas State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Graduate Faculty

  • Jan 2014 - May 2014

  Teach graduate and undergraduate courses, online and in-person. POLSC 601, "Local Government Law", Spring 2014POLSC 612, "The Judicial Process", Fall 2013POLSC 791, "States, Cities & the Law", Spring 2013 (online Master of Public Administration course)

• Graduate Faculty Instructor, Academic Advisor

  • Aug 2012 - Dec 2013

  Teach graduate and undergraduate courses, online and in-person. Create and develop Kansas State University's Local Government Program, which includes a graduate-level online course and online professional training for local government practitioners. Advise undergraduate students on academic issues.POLSC 612, "The Judicial Process", Fall 2013POLSC 791, "States, Cities & the Law", Spring 2013 (online Master of Public Administration course)



City of Manhattan, Kansas

• City Attorney

  • Jun 2012 - Dec 2012

  Served as lead counsel for a municipality with a population of more than 50,000, a budget of more than $100 million and a workforce of approximately 300 employees. Presented on legal issues at public meetings; communicated with the media regarding city legal issues. As department head, managed the department's budget and supervised employees of the City Attorney's Office and Municipal Court. Represented the city in all legal issues affecting the municipality and in civil litigation.Appeals before Kansas Court of Appeals:Bd. of Education of U.S.D. 383 v. City of Manhattan, Kansas Court of Appeals No. 107539 (2012) (Property law). Show less

• Deputy City Attorney/Assistant City Attorney

  • May 2003 - Jun 2012

  Represented the city in all legal issues facing the municipality, including First Amendment law, real estate, land use and employment. Researched and wrote ordinances, agreements, legal opinions and administrative documents. Drafted contracts for City construction projects, including a $24.5 million discovery center and an $8 million design-build aquatic center. Drafted personnel policies and procedures. Represented the City in litigation.Sample Appellate Cases:Zimmerman v. Bd. of Wabaunsee County Commissioners, Kansas Supreme Court, No. 98,487, (2011) (Zoning/Wind Energy)Zimmerman v. Board of Wabaunsee County Comm'rs, 289 Kan. 926 (2009) (Zoning/Wind Energy) City of Manhattan v. Feril, 35 Kan.App. 2d 740 (2006) (DUI appeal)City of Manhattan v. Fattaey, Kan.App. No. 95,317 (2006) (unpublished disposition) (Zoning) Show less



Morrison, Frost, Olsen, Irvine, Jackson & Schartz, LLP

• Manhattan, Kansas

• Partner

  • Mar 2007 - Dec 2011

  Maintained a private law practice at a Manhattan, Kansas, law firm. Focused on municipal, business, employment discrimination and real estate law. Met with clients and drafted pleadings and legal documents. Developed firm website and wrote firm’s advertising materials. Managed all aspects of the law firm’s business with partners. Maintained a private law practice at a Manhattan, Kansas, law firm. Focused on municipal, business, employment discrimination and real estate law. Met with clients and drafted pleadings and legal documents. Developed firm website and wrote firm’s advertising materials. Managed all aspects of the law firm’s business with partners.



Morrison, Frost, Olsen & Irvine, LLP

• Associate Attorney

  • May 2003 - Mar 2007

  Provided legal services related to municipal, business, employment discrimination and real estate law. Provided legal services related to municipal, business, employment discrimination and real estate law.