ATTORNEY AT LAW
932 Massachusetts Street
P.O. Box 602
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
(785) 841-2110
The primary focus of practice for several years has been oil & gas law including leasing, title examination, operating and participation agreements, farmouts, agreements relating to development and marketing, sales and acquisitions of leases and development prospects, administrative compliance, and litigation. Oil & gas practice has extended to formation of related business entities, commercial transactions and contract negotiations. The practice has in the past also included general practice, real estate, wills & probate, domestic relations, criminal law, municipal court, and juvenile court, as well as trial practice. Litigation experience has included district courts in the following Kansas counties (an "*" includes jury trials): *Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, *Chautauqua, Coffee, Crawford, *Douglas, *Franklin, Greenwood, *Jefferson, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, *Pratt, Shawnee, Wilson, and Woodson; as well as United States District Court for the District of Kansas, the Kansas Court of Appeals, and the Kansas Supreme Court. Administrative law practice has included proceedings before the Kansas Corporation Commission, Kansas Board of Tax Appeals, and Kansas Department of Human Resources.
From January, 1987 to July, 1991 practiced in partnership at this address with Lawrence attorney David Berkowitz under the firm name of Berkowitz & Chappell.
Recent appellate cases: Duffy v. Casady, Supreme Court of Kansas, Decided October 31, 2001, 272 Kan. 1417; 2001 Kan. Lexis 847; Schlup v. Bourdon, Court of Appeals of Kansas, Opinion Filed February 11, 2005, 3 Kan. App. 2d 564; 105 P.3d 720; 2005 Kan. App. Lexis 121.
Associate in general practice of law with Lawrence attorneys James Rumsey and John Hooge. In addition to oil & gas practice it included general civil practice as wells as felony and misdemeanor criminal practice and juvenile defense. In July of 1983 Rumsey and Hooge dissolved their partnership, and I established a solo practice.
General practice of law. Included civil and, upon completion of term in office as County Attorney, criminal practice including felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile defense appointment panels. I began the practice of law as a solo practitioner in Iola, Kansas, while I undertook the election campaign for County Attorney in the 1976 elections. After defeating my opponent, I continued my solo practice, as well as the duties of County Attorney. My opponent went on to become a District Court Judge presiding, among other things, in the case of Duffy v. Casady mentioned above.
University of Kansas School of Law
Lawrence, Kansas
Juris Doctor (1976)
Kansas College of Advocacy
University of Kansas School of Law
Lawrence, Kansas
Trial Tactics and Techniques Course (1980)
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Majors: Psychology and Political Science
St. Louis Country Day School
St. Louis, Missouri
High School Diploma (1969)
1976 to Present
Douglas County Bar Association
1982 to Present
Volunteers in Court, Inc.
Lawrence, Kansas
Treasurer 1987 to 2000
District Court Hearing Officer
Douglas County District Court
Lawrence, Kansas
June, 1995 to December, 2000
Conduct court hearings, take evidence, and render judgments and orders relating to establishment, modification and enforcement of support in post-divorce proceedings pursuant to K.S.A. 60-1601, et seq. and other matters authorized by K.S.A. 23-492 and Supreme Court Rule 172, including enforcement of visitation pursuant to K.S.A. 23-701.
County Attorney, Allen County, Kansas
Iola, Kansas
January, 1977 to January, 1981
Prosecution of all felonies, misdemeanors, traffic and juvenile cases. In addition to duties as prosecutor for the State, county attorneys serve as county counselor to the Board of County Commissioners, which includes such matters as delinquent tax sales, zoning and land use, county contracts, resolutions, etc.
Spouse: (married 08/07/71) Rebecca S. Chappell (Clothing & Gifts Dept., KU Bookstore).
Children: Stephen D. Chappell (Electrical Engineer with MSEE from Stanford); Kimberly A. Chappell (BFA Graphic Design from University of the Pacific).
Hobbies: Harmonica, computers and models. Enjoy tennis, rollerblading, and jogging. Never learned golf. Websites I created (besides my own): Chappell Family Website; Steve & Kathie's Wedding Site (my son and his wife); Douglas County Bar Association; Jeffrey Chappell - Pianist (my brother); Hanrott & Horsley - Authors; and my favorite: Pryor Oil Co.
Misc: Worked through college and law school as a mechanic, as a machinist, and as a fork lift operator.