The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District will hear five cases at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law E.E. (Tom) Thompson Courtroom at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The hearings are open to the public.

About once each year, the School of Law hosts Missouri Court of Appeals public hearings. The hearings provide students with important insights into the legal profession, said Ellen Suni, dean of the School of Law.

“The UMKC School of Law integrates theory with practice as a fundamental part of the legal education we provide,” Suni said. “Having the Missouri Court of Appeals sit and hear cases in our E.E. (Tom) Thompson Courtroom, with its unique viewing theatre that allows faculty to comment on the hearings as they happen, is an incredible opportunity for our students and an important part of their academic and professional training.”

Four Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District judges – Judge Joseph P. Dandurand, Judge Paul M. Spinden, Judge Ron R. Holliger and Judge Victor C. Howard – graduated from the UMKC School of Law. Judge Lisa White Hardwick, Judge Howard and Judge Dandurand will preside over the Feb. 11 hearings. On March 2, Dandurand will step down from the Missouri Court of Appeals to join Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster’s staff as deputy attorney general.

The following cases will be heard:

• State of Missouri, Appellant, v. Curtis K. Kamaka, Respondent, WD69664
• Shane K, Ruwe, Respondent, v. Mark W. McClung, M.D. Appellant, WD69093
• Loretta Cundiff, Appellant, v. The Missouri Gaming Co. and Division of Employment Security, WD69883
• Joan Ilene Gould, Individually and a Trustee of the Sylvia Terese Gould Trust, and Patricia Elizabeth Gould, Respondents, v. Mary Elizabeth Gould, Appellant, WD69563
• Boyd H. McGathey and Debra A. Augustine, Respondents, v. Matthew C. Davis, Appellant, WD69031

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Celebrating 75 years, UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.