Dale was born September 27, 1928 in Emporia, Kansas. After graduating high school, Dale joined the Navy V6 program and attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute and Rice University where he studied engineering. After the end of WWII, he returned to Emporia, Kansas where he enrolled at Emporia State University. Dale graduated from Emporia State University in 1948 (B.A.), and Washburn University School of Law in 1951 (J.D.). After two years with Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, he returned to Wichita to practice law. Dale was a member of the American Bar Association, as well as the Kansas Bar Association, where he was president of the Kansas Bar Foundation. As a member of the Wichita Bar Association, he served as president in 1974. With a passion for music, Dale played drums with The Barristers, a Dixieland jazz combo of attorneys that performed through 1979 at the Wichita Bar Association Bar Show. Even after retiring, Dale was known to come in to the office on occasion, where he could be seen swapping stories with other members of the firm. Dale passed away August 29, 2008.
Archives: Team Members
Margaret D. Lyons
Margaret D. Lyons is an attorney with Stinson, Lasswell & Wilson, L.C. Growing up in several cities across Kansas, Maggie found her home in Wichita while attending Newman University. At Newman University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Marketing degree with a minor in Communications. Maggie also was a graduate of the Newman Honors Program as well as the 2011 recipient of the Leona Ablah Award for service and leadership. Because of the preparation she received at Newman University, she earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas School of Law where she was on the Dean’s Advisory Board, a volunteer for the Guardian Assistantship Program, the Traffic Court Associate Chief Justice and the Women in Law Treasurer.
Prior to joining Stinson, Lasswell & Wilson,L.C., Maggie worked for Textron Aviation Inc. negotiating multi-million dollar Aircraft Purchase Agreements and learning about the aviation industry as a whole. In 2016, she joined the Junior League of Wichita to give back to the community that has given so much to her. She looks forward to continuing to develop her connections to the community through continued participation in Junior League of Wichita as well as the Wichita Bar Association. In 2024, she was accepted into the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Maggie is a member of the American, Kansas and Wichita bar associations. She is licensed to practice law in Kansas and her various practice areas are listed below, with her focus being in family law.
Jessica F. Leavitt
Jessica F. Leavitt is an attorney with and a Partner at Stinson, Lasswell & Wilson, L.C. Raised in Lawrence, Kansas, and Homer Glen, Illinois, Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from the University of Notre Dame, and graduated with her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. While attending University of Notre Dame, Jessica completed the Glynn Family Honors Program. As a student at University of Kansas School of Law, Jessica was honored with the CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Trial Advocacy, as well as the W. Ross Hutton Legal Aid Award. While attending University of Kansas School of Law, Jessica was a member of the Women in Law organization and a student representative on the Academic Affairs Committee. She has also received the Trial Advocacy Certificate. Jessica is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as the Kansas Bar Association, and the Wichita Bar Association. She is licensed to practice law in the Kansas District Courts and the United States District Court – District of Kansas. Jessica’s practice is very diverse as is more fully set forth below, with a strong emphasis in family law.
Brian R. Carman
Brian R. Carman has been with Stinson, Lasswell & Wilson, L.C. since 2007, becoming a Partner in 2013. A native of Topeka, and a lifelong resident of Kansas, Brian attended Baker University, ultimately graduating from Kansas State University in 2000. Brian attended Washburn University School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2004. He is licensed to practice in Federal, State and Municipal Courts in Kansas.
Brian remains active in the Wichita Bar Association. He has served as the co-chair for the Family Law Committee and was on the Board of Directors for the Young Lawyers. Brian is a highly rated attorney, as evidenced by his “A-V” highest possible rating in the “Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory”, his SuperLawyers rating and AVVO 10/10 rating.
Brian is also a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a nationwide organization of lawyers carefully selected and acknowledged to be premier matrimonial attorneys. As a fellow, Brian has demonstrated the experience and ability to handle complex matters and has experience involving closely held business interests, valuation of various medical and professional practices and other complex financial issues. Brian continues to be a leader in handling custody, support of children, property division and alimony/spousal support cases.
Brian’s practice is very diverse, with a primary focus on litigation in the areas of family law, criminal defense and probate matters. While litigation is always an option, most clients are likely best served by an approach that litigation is always the second-best option. This path gives clients more control over their case and often results in a solution closer to the client’s desires. Brian previously served as the criminal defense attorney for the City of Wichita Municipal Court’s Drug Court. He is a former member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and having attended the annual conference and training in Washington, D.C. Brian regularly presents on issues to the Wichita Bar Association, American Academy of Matrimonial lawyers CLE’s, Wichita Young Lawyers and the National Business Institute (“Family Law from A to Z” seminar). Recently Brian presented to local attorneys on the traps and difficulties in handling a military divorce, including the complex nature of military division orders. Brian is ready to help you tackle your legal needs.
Douglas C. Cranmer
Douglas C. Cranmer is the Managing Partner of Stinson, Lasswell & Wilson, L.C. A native of Wichita, and a life-long resident of Kansas, Doug graduated Cum Laude with a B.B.A. from Wichita State University in 1983, and graduated with honors with a Juris Doctorate degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1987. Doug is a highly rated attorney, as evidenced by his “B-V” rating in the “Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.” While Doug’s practice area primarily focuses in family law, he also practices in other areas as outlined below.