History of RILING, BURKHEAD & NITCHER, Chtd.

Our firm was founded in 1900 by Edward T Riling who graduated that year from the University of Kansas School of Law, became a member of the Kansas State Legislature, and opened a one-man office. Edward T. served Douglas County as its County Attorney, and in that office was described by a citizen as a vigorous prosecutor who "has made some enemies." Apparently this was not intended as a criticism because the speaker said that he "wouldn't think much of a man who wasn't strong enough to make a few enemies, as well as to surround himself with a bunch of friends, as Ed has." Since 1900, the firm has continued to make some enemies from time to time, but we also have continuously been blessed with good working relationships with clients, fellow lawyers, and the Courts of the State of Kansas. In 1910, Edward T.'s younger brother, John J. Riling, joined him in the practice of law and came to be known as a tireless advocate, who enjoyed reading the law, and was completely devoted to the practice of law. Known as "Mr. John," he was highly regarded by both bench and bar in Douglas County and throughout the State.

The Riling brothers came off the farm, and almost certainly remembered this heritage because they developed a clientele made up of farmers, as well as laborers, shopkeepers, and other small business owners in the community. During the course of years, as the Rilings' professional stature grew, Mr. John had the opportunity to represent railroads, banks and insurance companies. He steadfastly refused to take on a more lucrative clientele because he recognized that the backbone of his practice, and his livelihood, rested with serving the working men and women of Douglas County, Kansas. At the urging of Judge Hugh Means, Mr. John became County Attorney for Douglas County during World War II, a job he was happy to turn back over to Robert Oyler when Bob returned from active duty with the armed services.

Through the years, the firm remained small. For a time, Edward T.'s son was a member of the firm, before he retired from the practice following Mr. John’s death. In 1956, Mr. John's son, Eugene C. Riling, joined the law firm. He was followed into the practice by the first non–family member, M. Dean Burkhead, in the 1960's. The tradition of zealous advocacy continued with Gene's and Dean's joining the firm. The tradition of representing farmers, laborers, shopkeepers and other small business owners, continued, as well.

In 1978, the firm grew once again, as Wesley M. Norwood and Robert W. Fairchild merged their firm into ours. Wes left the firm in 1989 to become a solo practitioner. Bob left in 1996 to become a district court judge. In 1983, Michael E. Riling joined his father in the practice of law, just as Gene had joined his father a generation earlier. Timothy G. Riling joined the firm in 1989 and was with the firm for about eight years before he began a solo practice in 1997.

From 1968, when Dean joined the firm, until the mid–1990's, the firm grew fairly slowly but steadily. By the time John W. Nitcher joined, in 1987, there were six attorneys in the firm, with James L. Postma, of counsel. In 1994, the firm still numbered only seven attorneys. We perceived ourselves as a small firm, with a family tradition, and a history of representing some families in Douglas County continuously for decades through several generations. Despite the fact that some of our clients owned substantial businesses, and we regularly handled work for Douglas County, we realized what Mr. John had recognized years before, that the livelihood of our firm was based upon representing individuals rather than institutions.

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