Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer Celebrates 140 Years of Law Practice

The firm released a storytelling video highlighting the history, reputation, and community roots www.gseplaw.com that has characterized GSEP since its founding by newly minted Boston University graduate Bennett Wheeler. When Wheeler stepped off a train in Topeka in 1881, the city was only 20 years old. He established his law practice at 525 Kansas Avenue and soon forged a partnership with a mortgage loan company owned by Eli Chandler, which grew the firm’s attorneys to four.

In the ensuing years, the firm maintained its commitment to practicing law of the highest quality and delivering superior service to clients. Throughout 13 name iterations in 140 years, the firm earned a strong reputation of integrity, service, and professionalism. Goodell has been the firm’s first name since the 1960s, after partner Lester Goodell.

“We intentionally kept that name because every attorney in the state of Kansas knows the firm,” said GSEP partner Larry Bork, who has been with the practice since 1983. “People know who we are. Since we’ve had such a high level of competence for all these years, it gives a leg up in a courtroom or dealing with someone if you’re a Goodell Stratton attorney.“

GSEP offers a broad range of practice areas including business, healthcare and hospital, medical defense, employment, product liability, administrative, regulatory and licensing, civil litigation, estate planning and trusts, and complex multiparty flood litigation.

“The vision for the firm was to be the best in the state of Kansas and we wanted to be lawyers for everyone,” said GSEP retired partner Art Palmer. “The goal has always been to have our lawyers be the best in each and every practice of law.”

Though style and specialties of the practice of law have changed significantly in 14 decades, GSEP earned its reputation and longevity by consistently hiring and developing strong attorneys. The firm hires associates with excellent intelligence, communication, interpersonal, and analytical abilities, and prepares and mentors them to be outstanding attorneys.

“We train new attorneys with the idea they’ll be a partner for 20 or 30 years,” said Bork. “We train them up because we want them to be good attorneys.”

Many former Goodell Stratton attorneys have gone on to judgeships and other positions of leadership, including two Supreme Court Chief Justices, a Court of Appeals Judge, numerous district court judges, and a former Governor.

As one of the oldest continuously operating law firms in the state of Kansas, GSEP was involved in numerous historic and significant cases over the years, including the Finney Bond Scandal in 1933, the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, and Urban Renewal of Topeka in the early 1960s.

“We build a distinct trust factor with our clients through personal relationships,” said GSEP managing partner Timothy Shultz. “We are known for professionalism and competency and take pride in keeping up with the latest in law and technology while offering personal service.”

Though the firm is a true Topeka business, with its only location currently located at 515 S. Kansas Avenue, it practices law all over the state and throughout the Midwest. Its attorneys are licensed in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa.

But the capital city will always be its home and the firm encourages volunteer involvement in the community. GSEP staff and attorneys serve on boards or are closely involved with numerous community and nonprofit organizations in the Topeka area.

“We’re more than lawyers. We live in the community so it’s important for us to be an integral part of the Topeka community,” said GSEP partner Miranda Carmona.

The attorneys and staff at GSEP are looking back at the past 140 years while looking forward to the next 140.

“The reputation at Goodell Stratton is unmatched, and we hope the firm will continue to maintain that reputation for helping clients and provide the level of service that brought us where we are today,” said GSEP Partner Cynthia Sheppeard.

The firm plans to host a party later this year to continue the celebration of its 140th year.