TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court will meet once in special session at 2 p.m. Friday, May 25th, to bestow its Justice Award to long-time Topeka attorney and philanthropist Gerald L. Goodell.
He is being recognized for his many years of making significant contributions to the improvement of justice in Kansas. The Justice Award consists of a cash gift, determined by the Supreme Court, and an individualized plaque bearing the signatures of the Kansas Supreme Court justices. Additionally, names of winners are inscribed on a plaque that has been placed on permanent display outside the Supreme Court Courtroom in the Kansas Judicial Center.
The Award has been presented a variety of persons and one organization. Among past recipients are Chief Justice David Prager, former Governor Robert F. Bennett, Lewis L. Ferguson, former Associated Press Kansas corresondent; and the Marion County Special Education Cooperative Extended Learning Program.
He is of counsel with the Topeka law firm of Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer, L.L.P. Goodell joined the firm upon graduation from the Washburn University School of Law in 1958. Soon thereafter, he became counsel to the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Topeka, a position which provided extensive experience in real estate law and jury trial experience in condemnation proceedings. Goodell was elected as a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers in 1984 and is the former Editor of the Kansas Bar Association Real Estate Handbook. He is currently listed as a leader in the field of real estate law in the publication Best Lawyers in America and represents real estate brokers, developers and lenders.
Goodell served as general counsel for an internationally known psychiatric school, research and treatment facility since 1958, representing it in all litigation, corporate, real estate and general legal matters. Mr. Goodell has served as general counsel for all Kansas Savings and Loan Institutions since 1971.
Since November 2003, Mr. Goodell has served as of counsel to the firm.
Goodell is extensively involved in professional and community affairs. He served as president of the Kansas Bar Association (1985-1986) and as president for the Topeka Bar Association (2000-2001). He was a member of the Shawnee County District Judge Nominating Committee from 1977 until 2000. He completed a term as Chairperson of the Kansas Board of Law Examiners last June, and currently is a member of the Kansas Judicial Council, and chairperson of the Judicial Council Probate Committee. Goodell also serves as a Supreme Court appointee as a commissioner on the State Ethics Board.
Goodell is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Washburn Endowment Association, and served as its president (2005-2006). He is a past president of the Washburn Alumni Association, Washburn Law School Alumni Association and the Washburn Law School Foundation. He is a recipient of the Washburn Law School Distinguished Service Award in 1982, the Kansas Bar Association Distinguished Service Award in 1993 and the Topeka Bar Association Warren Shaw Award in 1998. He received a Doctorate of Law from Washburn Law School in 2002. He has taught Trial Techniques and Real Estate Mortgages at the Law School and has participated in numerous professional panels.