To the editor:

I read with interest recently about a claim for attorneys’ fees which has been made in a local criminal case for over $4.5 million. While I confess that I have not followed the case that closely, if the article can be taken on its face, a gross miscarriage of justice had occurred that the attorneys have endeavored to set right. That, plus it is always heartening to see that a fellow classmate of mine (Bill Skepnek, KU Class of ’78) has done well.

Though now retired, for many years I worked as trial counsel for a major automobile insurance company. In that time, I had to deal with hundreds of lawsuits, most of which settled. Many times the need to settle was clear, and I did my client a service by working out the best deal possible as soon as possible. That does not appear to have been done here. The case has been pending for many years, the last four of which have been during the tenure of Kris Kobach as attorney general. As the chief legal officer for Kansas, the decision to settle or not settle was his and his alone. Unfortunately, the buck stopped with him, and due to his poor decision making, the state apparently is going to be out a lot of bucks.

Mr. Kobach is currently running for reelection. I hope my fellow Kansans will keep this example of his poor decision making in mind when they vote. I know I will.

Jeff Southard,

Lawrence