• May 27, 2014
  • Monnat & Spurrier

(WICHITA, Kan.) – Dan Monnat, of Monnat & Spurrier, Chartered, has been listed by Chambers USA 2014 as one of Kansas’ most notable litigators in the area of White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations. According to the publication’s editorial report, Monnat “continues to add to his impressive record of jury trials and appeals.”

Chambers USA surveys both lawyers and their clients each year. The publication bases its rankings on legal ability, client service, business acumen, diligence, professional conduct and pre-eminence in the attorney’s key practice area.

Monnat has practiced in Wichita for more than 38 years. A graduate of California State University, Monnat received his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law. He also is a graduate of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College.

A frequent national lecturer and editorial contributor on criminal defense topics, Monnat is the author of “Sentencing, Probation, and Collateral Consequences,” a chapter of the Kansas Bar Association’s Kansas Criminal Law Handbook, 4th edition. He was a member of the Kansas Sentencing Commission from 2007 – 2011.

Monnat has earned distinction as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and the Litigation Counsel of America. He currently sits on the Kansas Association of Justice’s Board of Editors and is the Criminal Law Chair.

Monnat is a member of the National Trial Lawyers and served as a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Board of Directors from 1996 – 2004. He is a two-term past president of the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

  • May 13, 2014
  • KAKE TV

OAKLEY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who was scheduled to go to trial this week for shooting a former employee has been granted immunity from liability under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law.

David Collins of Oakley could have faced prison time if found guilty of aggravated battery in the March 5, 2013, shooting of Desmond Bowles. Chief Judge Glenn Schiffner’s ruling Thursday caused the case to be dropped.

Bowles was a former employee of the Collins farm and ranch and had been told to stay off the Collins property. Court documents show Bowles went to the home David Collins’ father, where David Collins confronted him.

Collins says he pulled his gun and it went off during a scuffle. Bowles survived but lost sight in his left eye. Collins attorney, Billy Rork, told KAKE News, “My client was extremely pleased the court was able to fashion this decision prior to a jury trial, while he was ready to go to a trial and defend himself.”

Wichita defense attorney Dan Monnat said the Kansas law is meant to allow people to defend themselves. “Kansas Law permits a person to use such force against another as the person believes is reasonably necessary to defend such person or third persons against the other’s immediate threat of unlawful force”, Monnat said. He added, “under Kansas law a person has no duty to retreat as long as that person is defending a dwelling, an occupied vehicle or a place of business.”

As for Collins, attorney Billy Rork said the Logan County District Attorney has 10 days to appeal the judge’s ruling. Otherwise Collins is in the clear.

KAKE TV