TOPEKA—Laura Shaneyfelt, Lawrence, is the 2019 recipient of the Robert L. Gernon Award presented by the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission.
Shaneyfelt is the Criminal Justice Act resource counsel for the Kansas Federal Public Defender Office.
Established in 2005, the Gernon Award recognizes individuals or organizations demonstrating a unique commitment to legal education for lawyers in Kansas and providing outstanding service to continuing legal education.
Shaneyfelt's office, in nominating her for the award, highlighted the impact she has had on the legal profession in Kansas.
“In just a few years, Laura has turned our office into a model training provider for federal defenders, state defenders, private criminal-defense counsel, and others,” the nomination said.
Shaneyfelt also has presented continuing legal education programs nationwide on a variety of topics and continues to work to improve and support the Kansas bar, her office said.
She graduated with a degree in journalism from Kansas State University in 1982 and from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1985. She practiced law for 30 years in Wichita before joining the Kansas Federal Defender Office in 2014.
She has served as president of the Wichita Women Attorneys Association, was honored with that organization’s Louise Maddox award in 2008, and was included in the Top 20 Women in Business by the Wichita Business Journal in 2013.
Justice Robert Gernon served on the Kansas Supreme Court from 2003 until his death in 2005 and previously on the Kansas Court of Appeals from 1988 to 2003. He worked to improve the training, education, and professionalism of attorneys in Kansas and across the nation.
"Laura Shaneyfelt is an outstanding representation of what it means to be a recipient of the Gernon award," said Shelley Sutton, executive director of the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission.
The award will be presented in October in Lawrence.
Past award recipients are:
2018—Stephen Angermeyer, Pittsburg
2017—David E. Pierce, Topeka
2016—Foulston Siefkin law firm, Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City
2015—Jan Hamilton, Topeka
2014—Steve Obermeier, Olathe
2013—Robert Collins, Wichita
2012—Cynthia Grimes, Lenexa
2011—J. Nick Badgerow, Overland Park
2010—Jack Scott McInteer, Wichita
2009—Mira Mdivani, Overland Park
2008—Sheila Reynolds, Topeka
2007—District Judge Robert J. Schmisseur, Pratt
2006—Philip Bowman, Wichita