Bio

Dick was a founding partner at Hite, Fanning & Honeyman, L.L.P., where he primarily focused on civil litigation. He frequently served as a mediator for cases pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas and the Eighteenth Judicial District of the State of Kansas. Dick was admitted to practice in Kansas state and federal courts, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Dick represented clients across a broad range of industries in civil litigation and personal injury defense. He remained active in the legal community since his admission to the bar in 1964, and was recognized for his contributions to the field, including being named a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Dick was a member of the Wichita and Kansas Bar Associations, and the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, having served on the board of governors for each. He was also a member of the Defense Research Institute and served as the Wichita member of the Association of Defense Trial Lawyers since 1998. Throughout his career, Dick held numerous leadership roles, including serving as president of both the Kansas Bar Association’s Litigation Section and the Wichita Bar Association. A frequent lecturer on litigation topics, he presented at many continuing legal education seminars. He earned his A.B. from Wichita State University and his LL.B. from Washburn University.

Outside of his legal work, Dick was deeply involved in the community. He served as past chairman of the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC), working to enhance the economic vitality of downtown Wichita. He was also a past president of the Wichita Festivals, Inc. board of directors and served as secretary of the Starkey Foundation. A longtime supporter of the arts, Dick chaired the Orpheum Performing Arts Center for five years and is a past board member of both the Wichita Community Theatre and the Wichita Music Theatre. 

Dick is now enjoying a well-earned retirement.

Education

Undergrad: A.B. Wichita State University, 1961
Law School: Washburn University, 1964
Year Started Practicing: 1964

Court Admissions

• Kansas, 1964
• U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, 1964
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit

Honors

• Best Lawyers in America, 2014-2017; 2021, Personal Injury Litigation Law - Defense
• Best Lawyers in America, 2017, Personal Injury Litigation Law - Defense "Lawyer of the Year"
• Kahrs Lifetime Achievement Award, Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, 2014
• Ranked by Chambers USA, 2013-present, as a leading lawyer in the practice area of General Commercial Litigation.
• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
• AV® Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®*
• Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2007-2020 Editions
• Fellow, Kansas Bar Foundation
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, 1995-Present
• President’s Award, Wichita Bar Association, 1987
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Wichita Bar Association, 2013
• Howard Kline Distinguished Service Award, Wichita Bar Association

Professional Memberships

• Kansas Bar Association (KBA), 1964-Present; President, Litigation Section, 1979; Board of Governors, 1994-1998
• Wichita Bar Association (WBA) President, 1989-1990; Board of Governors, 1994-1996
• Kansas Association of Defense Counsel (KADC) Board of Governors, 1987-1990
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) State Chair, 2000-2002
• Association of Defense Trial Lawyers Wichita Representative, 1998- Present
• Wichita Young Lawyers Association President, 1972

Community Involvement

• Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Museum President 2019- present; Board member, 2016- present
• Tallgrass Film Festival Board member 2012- present
• Starkey Foundation Secretary, 2008-Present
• Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) Chairman, 2010-2011; Board of Directors, 2005-Present
• Wichita Festivals, Inc. 2006-2013; President, Board of Directors, 2006-2013
• Orpheum Performing Arts Center Chairman, 2005-2010; Executive Board and Board of Governors, 1995-2010
• Wichita Bar Show Producer, 1983-2007
• Wichita Music Theatre Board of Directors, 1998-2004
• Washburn University School of Law Board of Governors, 1994-2001
• Wichita Community Theatre Board of Directors

Publications and Presentations

• “Preparing an Ephedra Case for Trial Part II: The Defense Perspective,” Mealey’s Ephedra Litigation Conference (2003)
• “Preparing a PPA or Ephedra Case for Trial, Causation, and How to Handle Other Contributing Factors,” Mealey’s PPA & Ephedra Litigation Conference (2002)
• “Investigative Techniques & Preparing for Trial,” Kansas Paralegal Association (1999)