The Legal Profession as a Family Affair
By Tonya Foster-Bell, Editorial Assistant

The pride that comes from protecting the rights of others through the law in the courts of this country runs strong from generation to generation in the families featured in this article. We know there are many more KBA members who share this pride with their ancestors. This article is meant to recoognize not only those lawyers we have written about, but all the multi-generational and multi-sibling legal families practicing law with pride. Many of these families have ancestors who began to practice when you "read for the law" with a practicing lawyer, not "study for the law" at an organized law school.

As a child growing up in east Texas, solo practitioner Katherine ‘Kathy” Beggs Bailes, of Fifth Generation Legal Advisors, Overland Park, did not think much about being a lawyer. Most of her free time was devoted to what she enjoyed doing such as playing piano, drawing, and setting up appointments for her "pretend" art students.

"When I entered the University of Kansas School of Law, in 1985, I was equipped with a BFA in painting, a year at the Baptist Seminary, and three years as a paralegal at Brown Koralchik & Fingersh in Kansas City, Mo.," she said.

After graduating in 1987, she joined Husch & Eppenberger and worked as an associate for seven years and as a partner for three years before going out on her own.

Kathy’s love of learning inspired her to begin studying for her Ph.D. During these studies, she became aware that her family tree had a long history in the law.

"It wasn’t until I began doctoral studies in 1996 that I became aware of the genealogical history of lawyers in my family. The research confirmed that my life was at the vortex of two powerful lines in the family consisting of five generations of lawyers through my mothers father’s line and five generations of strong women named Katherine through my mother’s mother’s line."

As her research into her family continued, she began to understand her overwhelming desire to practice law.

"Being the first woman attorney in the line, I knew that my contribution would have a distinctly feminine approach,” she said. "The pioneer spirit of the first two generations kept me going as I entered a traditionally male profession, created by and for men."

Bailes great, great, great-grandfather, Edward Vincent Warren (1788-1863), and his brother crossed the Mississippi River to develop a community in Newton County. Mo., where Edward was elected County judge in 1840. His son, Gustavus "Gus" Erickson Warren (1824-1899), traveled to Texas to build a community. Gus owned the local grocery store while serving as magistrate and county clerk in Upshur County, Texas.

Bailes’ great-grandfather (and son of Gus), James Rush Warren (1862—1936), studied law under his father-in-law, Captain A.B. Boren, and took the bar examination in 1889. He practiced law and served as county and district attorney in Shackleford County, Texas, before being appointed District Iudge in the 7th Judicial District of Texas. " He was active in his community. He served as mayor for four years and school trustee for eight,” she said.

Her grandfather (and James’ son), Truman Connor Warren (1904- 1961), studied law at the University of Texas and practiced in Smith County. Kathy said, "He inherited his fathers penchant for community service and love for the law." One of Truman’s classmates from law school proposed that he serve as general counsel in a developing oil company, Exxon. He declined the offer and stayed in private practice. Bailes has fond memories of her grandfather.
"He valued his independence and connection to the community through private practice," she said. "I remember this man, with his red hair and gentle manner."

Part of her appreciation for the legacy her ancestors left was learned through stories told by her attorney uncle, Jim, the son of Truman. Her mother worked as a paralegal for him before beginning her real estate business.

In addition to the stories and the love of law and justice, Bailes has inherited a few artifacts that remind her of her legal roots. "My favorite is the blotter that my great-grandfather, Judge Warren, used after signing decrees in court," she said. She keeps the blotter on her desk.

Her doctoral dissertation in mythological studies, "Mystery and Irrationality in the U.S. Legal System," examines cultures that represented the law with feminine figures or goddesses and will he completed this year. "With its completion, I hope to have developed a model for myself, and perhaps lawyers in the future that offers a balanced approach to the practice of law, incorporating both feminine and masculine characteristics in legal advocacy," Bailes said.

Bailes explains that after working for a large law firm, she realized that she needed to be on her own to practice law her way. She is a solo practitioner who does everything from billing to ordering supplies, but she would not have it any other way. "I feel more complete because I do everything," she said. "I think that is why my grandfather didn’t work for Exxon, because he wanted his independence."

"You can learn a lot about yourself through the missing pieces of the past," she said. Bailes said that she feels that the practice of law is a legacy that has been passed down to her. "It’s my job to take it to the next level, to continue what they started," she said. "I feel, in a semi-conscious way, they're looking over my shoulder."

McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips (MVP) is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year. Members of several families have had the pleasure of working with one another throughout the firm’s history. MVP currently has two sets of father-son and brothers practicing at the firm.

Fred Greenbaum and his brother Larry have worked at MVP since the early 1980s and are partners in the firm.

Fred Greenbaum said that the hiring of family members has worked well for the firm, but he pointed out that the firm does not only hire family members.

"It’s created issues at other places, but has worked great for our firm," Greenbaum said. “We work in an unselfish atmosphere."

The firm has a rich history of involvement with the Kansas Bar Association as well as in Kansas politics. Two members of the firm have served as KBA President, E.S. McAnany (1925) and Thomas Van Cleave Sr. (1946). Van Cleave Sr., who joined the firm in 1910, also served as a state representative in 1915 and again in 1931. Thomas Van Cleave Jr. followed his father’s lead and served in the legislature for seven terms and then as the Kansas Legislature’s liaison to the governor.

Patrick Bevan McAnany and Thomas Van Cleave Jr., both sons of the founders, joined the firm in 1938. Bernard, son of Maurice Alden, an original member of the firm, also joined the firm. At one point in the 1980s, Thomas Van Cleave Jr., and his son Robert B. Van Cleave; Patrick Bevan McAnany and son Patrick D. McAnanv; John J. Jurcyk Jr. and son John D. Jurcyk; brothers Bill and Robert Fabian and Bill’s wife Margaret; brothers Larry and Fred Greenbaum; and John J. Jurcyk's brothter-in-law. Frank Menghini, former Wyandotte County prosecutor, were all members of the firm.

Although there are no direct descendants of the founders currently practicing at the firm, Chris McAnany, great-grandson of founder E.S. McAnany, has a law practice in Colo.

Today the tradition continues with Greg Goheen. son of the late James Goheen, David Menghini. son of retired partner Frank Menghini and Ryan Denk, son of Daniel B. Denk, MVP president, as members of the firm.

Firm partner John J. Jurcyk joined the firm in 1958 after graduating from KU law school in 1957. He graduated from Rockhurst University with a degree in history arid philosophy in 1952. He then served two years in the Army. "I had plenty of time to think about what I wanted to do," he said.

His son John D. Jurcyk, who like his father is a partner in the firm, said "I am certain my father had an influence on my decision to become a lawyer, because I was around lawyers all of my life."

Jurcyk’s daughter, Alison Jurcyk Schieber, is also an attornev. She is now a stay-at-home mom in St. Joseph, Mo. Her husband, Keith is a solo practitioner in St. Joseph.

Both Greenbaum brothers began their careers in professions other than the law. Larry Greenbaum was a chemical engineer. He received both his engineering and law degrees from the University of Kansas. Becoming disinterested with his first choice of a profession and the possibility of owning his own business attracted him to the practice of law. "I had a decent job, but it was not as interesting as I would have liked," he said. "If I have to push papers, I might as well get paid better for it." He went on to say that the idea of practicing law was always in the back of his mind.

Fred Greenbaum graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in broadcast journalism planning on becoming a sportscaster. But all that changed when he became indirectly involved in a law suit at the radio station where he worked. When the lawyers became involved, his fascination with the profession began. "I thought I can do that and I knew it was a better job," he said. "Practicing law is more fun than broadcasting a game."

The Greenbaums younger brother Ron, deceased, was also an Attorney, graduating from Yale.

Dan Denk is the proud parent of two lawyers. His son Ryan, works with him at MVP. His daughter Laura is a lawyer in the Washington, D.C. area. Both children are also married to lawyers.

Ryan received his undergraduate degree in political science from KU. He was not sure what he wanted to do with his degree until he interned for six months for former Senator Bob Dole before completing his degree. He gained experience in the policy aspect of the law. "I came back excited about law," he said.

"I was surprised that they decided to go into law. I still don't understand why they did it," Dan Denk said with a laugh.

"But seriously," he said, they are both bright and were involved in forensics and debate in high school." I hope I have had an influence on the way they practice."

Kansas Supreme Court Justice Fred Six did not suspect that his son Steve, a partner with Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman Chtd, would go into the practice of law. The decision for him to practice law was totally his. Like everyone who is choosing a profession, he considered all of his options.

"In college I wanted to be a doctor, but I did very poorly in the science classes," Steve said.

He admired his father and what he did for a living. "I was proud of my father and enjoyed meeting people in Lawrence who he had helped through his law practice," he said. "He always said that the most important thing you have in life is your name and reputation, whether you are a lawyer or in some other occupation. I have tried to live up to that standard in my personal and professional lives."

"Practicing in Kansas, I have taken great pleasure in hearing from lawyers of all ages and backgrounds about the high regard they have for my father. This may be in part because lawyers always say nice things about judges. However I suspect it is much more a product of the high regard the bar has for his work," Steve said.

After Justice Six graduated from the University of Kansas with a historv degree in 1951, he served in the United States Marine Corp. While serving his country, he received a letter from the Dean of the KU Law School encouraging him to enroll in law school upon his return from the service. He was also encouraged by a military acquaintance, who had completed two years of law school. "My interest increased during our talks,” he said. He began law school after his return in 1951 and graduated in 1956.

Lilian, Justice Six’s wife, graduated from the law school at the University of Stockholm. She worked for the KU law school as the Admissions Director and later the Placement Director until she retired in 1996.

Steve is currently a representative for District 1 to the KBA Board of Governors. His wife, Betsy, is a lawyer and daughter of Lawrence attorney, Jack Brand.

The law firm of Hudson and Mullies LLC has been in existence for 112 years. The Fort Scott firm was started by Bannus Hudson in 1980 with J.M. Humphrey. After more than a century, Hudson's descendants carry on the tradition.

Bannus Hudson, one of the youngest Civil War soldiers on record, enlisted in the Union Army three times. The first being at age 13. His guardian removed him from the service the first two times. The third time he was 17, old enough to serve in the 2nd Indiana Cavalry with the rank of sergeant. After the War ended, he returned to his home state of Indiana to become a teacher and taught himself the law.

In 1877, he moved to Fort Scott to become superintendent of schools. From 1885 to 1899, he was a clerk of the Bourbon County District Court. In 1900, he was elected Fort Scott city attorney.

Humphrey and Hudson parted ways in 1914 and Hudson’s son, Douglas (1890-1972), joined the firm, which was then known as Hudson and Hudson. Bannus continued to practice until he died at the age of 87 in 1935.

Douglas, a graduate of George Washington University Law School, received the KBA’s Distinguished Service Award in 1972. He served as KBA President (1935). He was a city attorney for Fort Scott and also served in the Kansas House of Representatives (1923-25.

Douglas’ son, Howard, joined the firm in 1938 and practiced until his death in 1965. In 1939, another of Douglas’ son, Douglas G., began practicing with the firm. Douglas G. left the firm for awhile to be an FBI agent, a claims adjustor for a Los Angeles insurance company and, a World War II soldier. He returned to Fort Scott after the war and continued to practice with the family firm until his death in 1984.

Douglas G.‘s son, Blake, joined the firm in 1974. Blake Hudson did not grow up knowing he would become a lawyer. "I was always proud of the attorney tradition in the family, but I did not decide to apply to law school until the second semester of my senior year at the University of Kansas School of Business," Blake said.

Although his plans to become a lawyer were unsure, the fact that there were three generations of lawyers in his family could not help but have some influence. Blake said that once he applied for law school and was accepted, he was predestined to come back home and practice with his father in Fort Scott.

Blake admits that the way his father practiced influenced his own way of practicing law. "I had the pleasure of practicing with my father for 10 years," he said. "I very much admired and respected the way my father practiced law. I still consider him the most well-rounded attorney I’ve ever met. He was every bit as comfortable in the office practice as he was in trial practice. He simply excelled at both."

Blake’s daughter, Nancy, is a sophomore at KU and has not indicated the desire to carry on the family tradition of law.

After Howard’s son, Leigh, graduated from Washburn Law School, he practiced in Pittsburg, Kan., for seven years and then joined his father's firm in 1982.

"I think that it was a good experience practicing elsewherec before Coming hack to Fort Scott," Leigh said.

Leigh did not decide he wanted to go on to law school until after graduating from Emporia State. He said that he observed his grandfather more than his father or uncle, but his father a long with his grandfather influenced him to become a lawyer. "My grandfather would come to our house on Sunday morning and would sit around telling stories of his trials and tribulations as a lawyer," he said.

"My father did more office practice during his lifetime," he said. “I do more trial work. My practice is probably more similar to what my grandfather and uncle did than my father."

Leigh has two sons, Tyler and Ryan, whose career plans include the law. Tyler graduated from KU and clerks for Federal Judge Lungstrum in Kansas City, Ryan is a law student at KU.

"Tyler has repeatedly indicated that he does not intend to come back to Fort Scott to practice," Leigh said. "Ryan has indicated at one point he would probably not come back to practice, but I think he has not made a final decision."

Although Laura and Evan Ice are a part of a four-generation family in the practice of law, each of them began their careers in other professions.

Laura taught school in Newton for a year and Evan was an engineer for Boeing in Wichita for four years.

Their father, Hon. Theodore "Ted" Ice, a retired judge from Newton, was a bit surprised by the news about his children’s plans to become attorneys. He said that he was especially surprised that Laura had an interest. Ted didn’t know she took the LSAT until she told him well after it was over. He said that he was less surprised that Evan chose to go to law school.

Ted’s reaction to the news was typical of most caring parents who are concerned about how their children will live while going to school. "Oh, my God you’re quitting your jobs," he said when explaining his reaction.

Another tradition the Ice family has is that three generations have graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law. Evan, his father and grandfather, C. Frederick Ice, all graduated from KU law school. His great-grandfather Ezra Branine read for the law. C. Frederick Ice graduated from KU in 1924. He practiced in Newton with his father-in-law and brother-in-law as Branine, Branine and Ice. He practiced law until his death in 1991. His son, Ted, graduated from KU law school in 1961. He pratcticed in the family firm in Newton for 25 years. Ted applied for a judges position and was appointed in 1987. He retired from his position March 16, 2002.

While at law school. Evan, who is a partner with Stevens & Brand, L.L.P.. in Lawrence, saw his heritage displayed on the wall of Green Hall on the KU campus. There is a picture of his grandfather with his 1924 graduating class.

Evan explains his reason for majoring in engineering in college. He said that he did well in math and science in high school, thus he received a scholarship from the School of Engineering at KU. He also received a Navy ROTC scholarship, but the only thing was the program wanted someone from the technical arena. He took LSAT after graduating with a B.S., but then the job offers came in. He accepted a job with Boeing, knowing that he would eventually go to law school. The opportunity arrived when he was finished with a year long assingment in Maryland. He wanted to go back to school before accepting another project.

Although there was no pressure to go into the practice, Evan credits his genes for part of his interest in the law. He grew up with the notion that everyone loved their jobs as attorneys, because his father and grandfather did not speak ill of the profession or express discontent.

"I was surprised the first time I heard someone disliking their job as an attorney, because I thought everyone liked their jobs," he said.

Laura points out another historical fact concerning her family. Her father’s retirement marks the first time in 100 years that the family will not have a legal presence in Harvey County.

Laura said that part of her reason for going to law school was to see if she could meet the challenge. She applied to both KU and Washburn. She was accepted to Wishburn, which worked out for the best. According to her father, she had a great job working as a revisor of statutes in Topeka. "There was a great mix of students (at Washburn)," she said. "There were a lot of great clerking opportunities."

She is an assistant general counsel for the Cessna Finance Corporation in Wichita. She currently serves as the KBA Secretary-Treasurer.

Bill and Patricia Rebein cannot say they have enough children for a baseball team, but they can say that they have enough lawyers in the family for a law firm. Four out of seven boys are attorneys and although the seven are scattered across Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, and Florida, the brothers are a tight knit group from Dodge City.

The attorney brothers, David, Joe, Steven and Paul agree that they seek each other’s advice often.

"My brothers are the best lawyers I know," David said. "I seek advice from them all of the time."

"Joe and I work at the same firm, so we have a lot of contact," said Paul, who is licensed to practice in Kansas, Missouri and Florida.

Not all of the brothers knew they wanted to be attorneys from a young age. "I saw how my brothers liked the law and it was attainable," Steve explained simply.

David, a partner at Foulston Siefkin in the Dodge City office, was the first to go to law school. He said he was inspired by the television show "Perry Mason." Joe and Paul are partners for Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. Joe pracices out of the Kansas City office and Paul is in the Tampa, Fla., office.

Steve, is a partner at Grimes & Rebein. L.C., in Lenexa and whose wife, Roxanne Wu-Rebein, is a solo practitioner in Leawood, said that all of his brothers had the support of their parents who are farmers/ranchers in the Dodge City area.

"My father moved a trailer to Lawrence and that is where we all lived during school. Farming wasn't encouraged," Steve said.

"My father knew farming is hard work, but we’ve all been involved in the farm to a certain extent," David said.

Joe said, "My parents supported me and all of my brothers in getting the most out of college but they did not push us in any direction other than getting us out of the house."

There may be another generation of Rebeins in the legal profession. Joe said, "my oldest son seems very interested in my job and asks a lot of questions about trials and cases. There may be a budding lawyer in the making."

David, Steve and Joe graduated from KU law school, while Paul graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law.

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