Law Day 2013

LawDayLogo2013.jpg

The 2013 Law Day Luncheon was held on Wednesday, May 1 at Pachamama's.

The 2013 Law Day theme was Realizing the Dream: Equality for All", a reflection on the work that has been done and remains to be done to rectify injustice, eliminate discrimination, and uphold basic human rights.

The keynote speaker was Hon. David Waxse, Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a member of the national boards of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the American Judicature Society, and was also a member of the Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee.

The 2013 Liberty Bell Award was presented to Kurt von Achen. As Chair of the Eudora Planning Commission since 1974, Kurt has come to embody the institutional history of Eudora for planning, development and property use. His contribution to good government and a better understanding of, and respect for, the law has not been limited to Eudora. He served on the Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Commission from 1977 to 1983 and was Chair in 1981 and 1982. He was a Board Member of Douglas County Development, Inc. for over 25 years and served as its President for 6 years. He was a Member of the Executive Committee for the 1995 Douglas County Health and Human Services Needs Assessment. He has been on the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association Board of Directors since 2007 and has served as Secretary and as Treasurer. He served on the Seventh Judicial District Nominating Commission from 2006 to 2010. The Douglas County Bar Association was honored to recognize Kurt's contributions to government, law, community and citizens of Eudora, Lawrence and Douglas County by presenting him this year's Liberty Bell Award.