A Shared Experience

When Bill Townsley, jd ’89, saw his daughter, Megan Townsley, jd ’15, sworn in before the United States Supreme Court, it was a full-circle experience. Bill and Megan traveled to Washington, D.C., in February with a group of alumni, faculty and staff from Washburn University School of Law. The Washburn group had 14 attorneys sworn into the bar of the Supreme Court – an honor Bill experienced firsthand on another Washburn trip two decades ago. 

“When I was admitted to the Supreme Court 20 years ago, I was very proud to be there and sit in front of the justices,” Bill said. “Twenty years later to go with my daughter and have her admitted was another very proud moment for me. To appear before the court is so inspirational. It’s a moving and meaningful experience for any lawyer.” 

For Megan, being in the Supreme Court was a powerful reminder of why she chose a legal career. She currently practices at Fleeson Gooing Coulson & Kitch in Wichita, Kansas, alongside her father, who has worked there for 36 years. She was eager for the opportunity to celebrate with him and her fellow alumni; “at the end of the day, it’s all about the people,” she said. 

“Having my father there made this trip particularly meaningful on a personal level,” she added. “Washburn is such a supportive community, and sharing this milestone with my fellow alumni and colleagues who also understand the significance of the moment made it incredibly meaningful. It was a great opportunity to reconnect and reflect on the importance of the Supreme Court and our shared legal background.” 

Also in attendance was Troy Stremming, bba ’91, jd ’94, who was sworn into the Supreme Court via written motion 15 years ago and attended this year’s ceremony with his wife to get the full experience. Having spent 25 years in the casino industry, Stremming founded AdAstra Strategies, a government affairs and public relations consulting firm, eight years ago in Overland Park, Kansas. He also serves as president of the Washburn Law board of governors and is a member of the Alumni Association and Foundation board of trustees. In these roles, he is eager to connect with fellow alumni. 

“It was fantastic to see the excitement for all of the folks who were being sworn in that day,” Stremming said. “I sat in front of the bar, and when you’re just a few feet away from Supreme Court justices it’s pretty exciting. There’s something humbling about standing in the building where history and constitutional reasoning converge. You get to see the Constitution come to life, which is a wonderful thing.” 

Sworn in during the Supreme Court’s Feb. 20 session, they witnessed a historic moment when Chief Justice John Roberts read the opinion in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, ruling that the president lacks authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. This decision had international significance, and Megan found it thrilling to be present when the decision was announced.

“It has huge ripple effects throughout not only our legal community but the entire world,” she said. “Hearing that decision read in the courtroom highlighted the profound impact the Supreme Court can have throughout the world. As an attorney and as an individual, it’s a powerful reminder of how the law shapes policy, commerce and international relations.”

In addition to the Supreme Court visit, the trip included plenty of opportunities for exploring, socializing and networking, including a reception with Washburn alumni living in the D.C. area and sightseeing excursions to national monuments. For Stremming, who had only been to the capital for work-related reasons, the opportunity to visit as a tourist was a highlight of the trip.

“There was the camaraderie of being with other alumni, and I was able to spend time with friends and tour the Capitol,” he said. “Experiencing D.C. as a tourist was a wonderful thing. It was a phenomenal trip that I would highly recommend to other alumni.” 

Bill would also recommend the trip to other Washburn law grads. He found
both trips impactful, as it gave him the opportunity to reflect on the value of a legal career.

“We are privileged to be lawyers who practice in a learned profession – every day we learn something new,” he said. “Washburn does an excellent job of creating this experience. Across the country, many lawyers become members of the Supreme Court by written motion, so the opportunity that Washburn provides is a turnkey experience. You meet lots of people who have the same interests and the same passion for the law who will become friends and colleagues forever going forward.”