Recent UMKC grads start law firm

The pair met in law school while working for area nonprofit organizations. Buckley, Mission, Kan., worked for the Midwestern Innocence Project and Hutchings, north Kansas City, for the Public Interest Litigation Clinic. The two organizations often worked together, which brought the women together.
After both women passed the bar exam, Hutchings received a call from a prospective client. Needing help with the case, Hutchings called Buckley and the partnership was formed.
Buckley said they realized they had similar goals to work for a small private firm and did not want to work for a large firm where there is often less client involvement for new lawyers. A recessing economy also made for job-hunting hardships.
"We both wanted to work with people right at first," Hutchings said. "I don't think either of us questions the decision now."
Buckley and Hutchings said the small-firm jobs they were looking for were few and far between for recent graduates.
Since opening, they had to develop their lawyer skills and figure out how to run a business at the same time. Hutchings does the business accounting while Buckley takes care of most office management tasks.
An office manager is the first additional employee they will hire when they are able, Buckley said.
Family and friends offered help after the women decided opening their own firm was what they wanted to do.
"So many people were so supportive," Buckley said.
Both women said working at their own firm and for themselves makes them feel uneasy at times, but they have gained scores of confidence since their grand opening.
"It's so worth it to be able to do what we do," Hutchings said.

Meagan O'Donnell can be reached at (816) 389-6606 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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