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Eric grew up on the family farm south of Little River, Kansas. After graduating magna cum laude in 1988 from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, he then attended Washburn University School of Law where he was awarded the J. Richard Foth Writing Award in 1989 and received his law degree, cum laude, in 1991. Admitted to the Kansas bar in 1991, he is also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th and 8th Circuits and the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.

Eric practices in the areas of cooperative and business law and litigation providing legal advice and counsel to local and regional Kansas farmers' cooperatives. He is a frequent lecturer on topics of interest to farmers cooperatives and their boards of directors. He counsels clients in matters of corporate governance; employment law practices, policies, and litigation; business transactions including contracts, mergers, consolidations, acquisition and disposition of assets, joint ventures and other business organizations including limited liabilities companies; and commercial collections. He is an experienced litigator who has represented businesses and employers in a variety of business and employment matters before state and federal agencies and state and federal courts.

Eric and his wife Kim, a 6th grade teacher, make their home in Hutchinson. He is active in various community activities and local boards and enjoys hunting and fishing and spending time with family on the farm.

Principal Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

  • Kansas
  • 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas

Education

  • Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., cum laude, 1991), Recipient J. Richard Foth Writing Award.
  • Bethany College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1988), Beta Tau Sigma, Phi Alpha Theta, Alpha Mu Gamma.

Professional Memberships, Affiliations, and Honors

  • National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, Legal, Tax and Accounting Section Member.
  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section Member, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Member.
  • Kansas Bar Association.
  • Defense Research Institute, Employment Law Section Member.
  • Reno County Bar Association (Treasurer 1998 - 1999; Vice President 2019 - 2022; President 2022; Chair of Reno County Ethics and Grievance Committee 2005 - present).
  • Topeka Bar Association, past member (1991 - 1998).
  • Topeka American Inn of Court (1992 - 1996).

National Seminars Attended

  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, Virtual 2021.
  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, LaQuinta, CA 2020.
  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, Scottsdale, AZ 2019.
  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, New Orleans, LA 2018.
  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2017.
  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, Scottsdale, AZ 2016.
  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, San Diego, CA 2015.
  • "Legal, Tax and Accounting Annual Seminar," National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, New Orleans, LA 2014.
  • "ADA and FMLA Compliance," National Employment Law Institute, Chicago, IL 2012.
  • "Employment Law," Defense Research Institute, Scottsdale, AZ 2010
  • "Employment Law," Defense Research Institute, Chicago, IL 2008.
  • "Preeminent Lawyers - Superstars of Trial," Defense Research Institute, Chicago, IL 2007.
  • "ADA and FMLA Compliance," National Employment Law Institute, Chicago, IL 2005.

Publications

  • "On Further Review: Supreme Court Expands the Role of the Gatekeeper," Journal of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association (March, 1998).
  • "Expert Witnesses in Civil Litigation: What Every CPA Should Know," KSCPA Newsletter (August/September 1997).
  • "Limited Liability Company Update: Proposed IRS Regulations May Clear the Way for LLC Partnership Tax Treatment," KSCPA Newsletter (July 1996).
  • "An Overview of Kansas Limited Liability Companies," KSCPA Newsletter (September 1995).
  • "Kansas Court Rules that Accountants Have No Obligation to ‘Just Say No'," KSCPA Newsletter (September 1995).
  • "Employment at Will in Kansas: A Rule of Exceptions," KSCPA Newsletter (December 1993).
  • "The Permissible Scope of Employment Non-Competition Agreements: Important Considerations for CPA/Employers," KSCPA Newsletter (August 1993).
  • "Kansas Legislature Limits Accountant Liability for Services Performed for Financial Institutions," KSCPA Newsletter (August 1993).
  • "United States Supreme Court Limits Scope of RICO Liability in Recent CPA Case," KSCPA Newsletter (April 1993).
  • "The CPA as Expert Witness in Civil Litigation," KSCPA Newsletter (January 1993).
  • "United States Supreme Court Agrees to Hear RICO Case Involving Accountants," KSCPA Newsletter (October 1992).
  • "Government Access Amendment to CPA-Client Privilege: What You Should Know," KSCPA Newsletter (July 1992).

Seminar Presentations

  • "An Introduction to Kansas Co-op Law," Guest Lecturer for K-State AGEC 470-Cooperative Management course (2020).
  • "Board Chair School," Kansas Cooperative Council Co-op (2019-present).
  • “Fraud Detection and Prevention for Cooperative Boards,” Kansas Cooperative Council Co-op Director's Conference (2019).
  • “Legal Foundations of Cooperatives,” Kansas Cooperative Council Director Development Program (Annually 2018-present).
  • “Current Issues in Kansas Farmer Cooperatives,” LVPF Development Conference (2017).
  • “CEO Employment Contracts,” Kansas Cooperative Council Director Development Program (Annually 2015-present).
  • “Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Cooperative Directors,” Kansas Cooperative Council Director Development Program (Annually 2013-present).
  • "Employee Handbooks: Tips from the Trenches," Presented at the SHRMINAR sponsored by the Central Kansas Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (July 2010).
  • "Crossroads: The Intersection of the ADA Amendments Act, FMLA, and Workers Compensation- Updated," Presented to the Reno County Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (May 2010).
  • "A Brief History of the Workers Compensation System or Those Who Forget History are Doomed to Repeat It," Presented to the Reno County Safety Council (June 2008).
  • "Crossroads: The Intersection of ADA, FMLA, and Workers Compensation," Presented to the Reno County Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (August 2006).
  • "Minimizing Workers Compensation Liability," Presented to the Reno County Safety Council (February 2007).
  • "Minimizing Workers Compensation Liability," Presented to the National Federation of Independent Business (August 2006).
  • "A Brief History of the Workers Compensation System or Those Who Forget History Are Doomed To Repeat It," Presented to the Reno County Safety Council (June 2008).
  • "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in Kansas," Lorman Education Services.
  • "Employment Compensation: Issues for Kansas Employers," Lorman Education Services.
  • "Employee Discharge and Documentation - Wrongful Discharge in Kansas, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Age Discrimination in Employment Act," Lorman Education Services.
  • "Employee Discharge and Documentation - Family and Medical Leave Act, and Age Discrimination in Employment Act," Lorman Education Services.
  • "Employee Discharge and Documentation - Internal Employment Investigations and Performance Appraisals," Lorman Education Services.
  • "Hot Topics in School Law - Sexual Harassment in the Public Schools," Lorman Education Services.

Community Involvement

  • Cosmosphere Board of Directors (Board Member 2013-2019, Past Chair).
  • Reno County E-Partners Entrepreneurship Loan Committee (2011-present).
  • Hutchinson Public Library Board of Trustees (Board Member 2011-2019, Past Chair).
  • Mayor's Hutchinson Recreation Commission Funding Study Committee (Chairman, 2011).
  • Downtown Hutchinson Development Promotion Committee (2010-2016).
  • Downtown Hutchinson Chili Fest (Chairman, 2010-2016).
  • Hutchinson Chapter of AMBUCS (Board member, 1999-2000; Officer, 2000-2003; President, 2003-2004; Committee Chair, 2006-2009).
  • Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, Member.
  • Reno County United Way, Past Volunteer.
  • American Heart Association, Past Volunteer.
  • Washburn University School of Law Mentor Program, Past Mentor.
  • Washburn University School of Law Career Services, Past Volunteer.