Five attorneys from the Wichita, Topeka and Lawrence offices of Joseph, Hollander & Craft LLC have been honored by the highly regarded Best Lawyers in America® – 2020 Edition, with two of them receiving “Lawyer of the Year” honors in their respective markets.
Wichita
Ross A. Hollander was named Wichita Lawyer of the Year in the Employment Law Management Section. He was further recognized for his expertise in Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment.
Hollander is co-chair of the firm’s Civil Litigation and Employment Law Division and has practiced employment, labor, and commercial law for more than 40 years. Hollander is a past president of the Wichita Bar Association, past president of the Kansas Bar Association’s Employment Law Section, and past president of the Wesley E. Brown Inn of Court. A graduate of Wichita State University, Hollander received his Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law. He is a member of the Wichita, Kansas and American Bar Associations, Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute, and National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM).
Jess W. Hoeme was honored by Best Lawyers in the area of Criminal Defense: General Practice and DUI/DWI Defense. His practice is focused in criminal litigation across the State of Kansas, and he has represented clients in 80% of Kansas counties. Hoeme represents Kansas Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies in matters of professional affairs and investigations.
Hoeme is a graduate of Washburn University and received his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law. Hoeme is a past chairman of the criminal committee of the Wichita Bar Association. He is a member of the Wichita, Kansas and American Bar Associations, the Kansas and National Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the National College of DUI Defense Lawyers. He serves as general counsel to the Kansas Bail Agents Association.
Topeka
Kristine Lawless was honored in the sector of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Lawless has extensive experience in complex federal and state criminal cases, including appeals. Her primary practice now focuses on family law, and the Kansas Supreme Court has certified her as a mediator in domestic cases.
Lawless was formerly Chief of the Northeast Kansas Conflicts Office and served as an Assistant Appellate Defender and Public Defender in Shawnee County. A graduate of Wichita State University, Lawless earned her Juris Doctor at Washburn University School of Law. She has been an adjunct professor for the law school and has served as Judge Pro Tem in Shawnee County District Court. Lawless is designated as one of the top five percent of Kansas lawyers in Super Lawyers® by Thomson Reuters.
Christopher M. Joseph was named Topeka Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense: General Practice. He was also honored in the Criminal Defense: General Practice. He represents individuals and businesses during the investigation and prosecution of criminal charges in federal and state courts. He also represents businesses and individuals in complex civil litigation, primarily in federal court. He leads the firm’s criminal and civil asset forfeiture practice groups.
A graduate of Wichita State University and the University of Kansas School of Law, Joseph has earned Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory’s highest “AV” rating for lawyers. He is a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, and is designated as one of the top five percent of Kansas lawyers in Super Lawyers® by Thomson Reuters.
Joseph is a lifetime member of the Kansas and National Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served on the Kansas Bar Association criminal law committee and chaired the Topeka Bar Association legislative committee. Joseph has served as the Kansas Vice President for the Tenth Circuit Historical Society since 2018. He often presents to other attorneys at continuing legal education seminars throughout the state.
Lawrence
Casey Y. Meek earned recognition by Best Lawyers in the area of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Meek represents individuals during the investigation and prosecution of felony and misdemeanor charges, including: drug & alcohol offenses; DUI & other traffic offenses; property crimes; person crimes; and probation violations. Meek also assists clients with expungements of criminal investigations and convictions.
Meek is a member of the Kansas Bar Association, the Douglas County Bar Association, the National College for DUI Defense, and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and his juris doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. He has been named a “Rising Star” by the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers®.
Joseph, Hollander & Craft has 20 lawyers and offices in Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita. The firm’s primary practice areas include complex criminal defense, DUI defense, employment law, family law, medical malpractice, professional liability defense and commercial law. The firm’s attorneys represent clients in municipal, state, federal and appellate courts and before administrative panels.