Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace & Bauer, L.L.P.

Rick Griffin is a 1999 graduate of Oklahoma State University and remains an avid Cowboys fan despite settling a bit north, in Kansas.  Before attending the University of Kansas School of Law, Rick served for two years as the Director of the Alumni Career Network at the Wichita State University Alumni Association.  Although not a native Kansan, Rick’s professional leadership and civic involvement have greatly benefited his adopted community.  Rick concentrates his litigation practice on commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, energy law, and products liability.

Education

• University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., 2004
• Oklahoma State University, B.S., 1999

Bar Admissions

• Kansas, 2004
• United States Supreme Court, 2007
• Third Circuit Court of Appeals, 2009

Professional Affiliations

• Defense Research Institute, Steering Committee Member
• Defense Research Institute, Vice-Chair of Supreme Court Sub-Committee, Young Lawyers Committee
• Defense Research Institute, Young Lawyers Section Member
• Defense Research Institute, Products Liability Section Member
• Defense Research Institute, Financial Institutions and Creditor's Rights Specialized Litigation Committee, Member
• Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, Member
• American, Kansas, and Wichita Bar Associations, Member
• Wichita Bar Association, Civil Practice Committee
• Wichita Bar Association, Bankruptcy Committee
• Wichita Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section

Civic/Social Involvement

• Wichita Area Metro Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
• Young Professionals of Wichita, Board of Trustees, Chairperson
• Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Go Wichita, Board of Directors
• Destination ICT, Steering Committee
• Chamber of Commerce, Leadership and Training Class, 2008
• Leadership Wichita, Class of 2007
• Oklahoma State University Alumni Group, Wichita Chapter

Awards and Recognition 

• Wichita Business Journal 40 Under 40 Class, 2007
• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Trial Academy Graduate, Stanford Law School

Published Articles/Presentations

• The Joint Defense Doctrine - Cohesion Among Traditional Adversaries, Evidentiary Privileges for Corporate Counsel, 2008, Co-Author
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• Defense Research Institute, For The Defense, "Congress Deals Debtors a Blow," February 2007

Commercial Litigation                                 

Rick ably represents businesses and individuals embroiled in commercial litigation, whether the disputes center on contractual rights and duties, insurance coverage questions, or other aspects of general commercial litigation.  Rick represents clients, both large and small, in commercial real estate matters, issues involving the aviation and energy industries, and in complex financial disputes.  He has litigated in state and federal courts throughout the country.     

Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights             

Since graduating from law school in 2004, a great deal of Rick’s practice has been devoted to creditor’s rights litigation both in district courts and bankruptcy courts across the United States.  He is intimately familiar with bankruptcies filed under all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code and has worked diligently in his representation of creditors ranging from preference/avoidance actions to complex bankruptcy litigation.  Rick co-authored the Chapter 11 section for creditors in the Third Edition of the Kansas Bar Association Bankruptcy Handbook. 

Energy Law                                                

Kansas and other states in the region are home to numerous oil and gas producers and energy storage facilities.  Rick’s energy practice serves this vital industry in many ways.  He was instrumental in the representation of Kansas energy producers and stakeholders in one of the largest oil and gas bankruptcies in the country.  Rick’s keen intellect and dogged efforts resulted in a favorable outcome for Martin Pringle’s clients, despite the poor economic conditions prevailing at the time.  He also provides guidance to clients regarding oil and gas leases, lease operations, fractional shares, mineral royalties, surface rights, and environmental disputes, as well as handling various matters before the Kansas Corporation Commission. 

Products Liability                                         

Rick’s products liability practice encompasses products of all shapes and sizes, including those related to aircraft manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, and the construction arena.  He is well versed in the applicable tort laws, statutes, and regulations governing these actions.  Rick has litigated products liability claims brought throughout the United States.  Rick also co-authored a chapter on the Joint Defense Doctrine in the 2008 Compendium on Evidentiary Privileges for Corporate Counsel published by Defense Research Institute (DRI).