Introducing our e-Newsletter, the WeigandWire
As the Weigand network continues to grow, so has the need to keep Weigand Scholars and Alumni connected.
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The WeigandWire is a triannual e-publication intended to keep the Weigand community connected and strong. The publication will be released in Fall, Winter and Summer editions, and its content is generated by current Weigand scholar upperclassmen.
Not only will the e-Newsletter itself promote the Weigand network, but so will its creation. Scholars’ continued immersion into the Kansas legal community will take the form of an interview, giving each Scholar a vehicle to ask alumni meaningful questions in a one-on-one setting. Then, they’ll share their findings to keep Weigands connected.
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Jennifer Helen Salva, Washburn ’19, is excited to serve as Communications Director of the Weigand Trust, where she will edit and curate Scholars’ content and interviews.
Claudette Glenn, Director of the Weigand Trust says, "I am elated that Jennifer is willing to take up the communication banner and use her skills to help us keep informed on each other, the activities of the trust, and to enrich the network we've built. We have a lot of great writers in our group, and I'm hoping her coordination efforts will bring those together for the benefit of all."
This first edition of the WeigandWire will highlight some of the first Weigand Scholars, and how they've seen the Weigand community change from its inception to present day—and more importantly—how they hope to see it continue to grow going forward.
The WeigandWire is just one more way to strengthen the Weigand name, promote each of us as Weigand ambassadors in the state of Kansas and beyond, and grow J.L.'s dream while spreading his legacy.
Do you have suggestions for things you'd like to see featured in our newsletter? Would you like to help write a future feature? Contact jenniferhsalva@gmail.com with your ideas!
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Contributing to this article: Molly Campbell, Notre Dame '19
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JENNIFER CURFMAN
“An easy place to live”:
After a taste of other cities, Jenn Curfman, Nortre Dame ’09, is grateful to build her family and career in Wichita
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Jenn Curfman, Notre Dame '09
, says she never would've attended Notre Dame Law School if Claudette Glenn, Director of the Weigand Trust, hadn't made a phone call to Jenn's father in 2005.
Claudette called Jenn's father, John Curfman, to see if he had any photographs of J.L. Weigand. Claudette was setting up the Trust for its inaugural class of scholars, and thought John might have photos since his father and Jenn's grandfather worked with J.L. That phone call came at a time when Jenn was considering returning to Law School after several years working at INTRUST Bank following graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Duke University.
Nearly fifteen years since that phone call, much has changed for Jenn.
Jenn handles real estate investments at Koch Industries in Wichita and raises three kids with her husband, Stephen Marler: Anna (6.5), Lucas (2.5), and Lily (1). She says she knows how lucky she is to have an employer that is supportive of both her career, and her life at home.
"It's a little chaotic, but both being a lawyer and a mom help one another," Jenn said. "You appreciate the time you have to spend on each, and I'm more efficient, therefore."
From enabling her work from home, to allowing her to take her youngest, Lily, on business trips when she wasn't quite ready to be away from her mother, Koch has demonstrated flexibility and understanding of her personal responsibilities, Jenn said.
And, Jenn said, it's good to be home in Wichita, Kansas. "It's an easy place to live. Nothing takes very long to get to and everything is convenient."
The Wichita lifestyle is especially enjoyable for Jenn when contrasted with her time spent in Chicago immediately after graduation from Notre Dame. She reflects that it was a good first job and great experience, but in Chicago, "the quality of life was not there." But, Jenn remembers, "At the time it didn't matter, all I was doing was working!"
Wichita also demonstrates great appreciation for the Weigand Trust, which has grown since her first year as a Weigand scholar to her time as an accomplished professional and dedicated mother. "The Trust is much bigger now, and so much better known, particularly around Wichita," she said. "People at Koch know about it and think so highly of it."
Yet, fifteen years ago when Jenn became one of the first Weigand Scholars, she didn't know how much the organization would impact her career.
Jenn's brother, David Curfman, pushed Jenn to start applying to law school in the first place. Jenn's family includes many attorneys, going back to great-aunts and uncles. In fact, Jenn has one great-aunt who went to law school in the late 1930s. She remembers her great-aunt only vaguely from when she was a child, but her aunt’s diploma is currently displayed in Jenn’s cousin's office in Chicago.
Given her family’s history in the law and her desire to obtain a graduate degree, Jenn says she would've gone to law school eventually absent Claudette's phone call searching for photos of J.L. But, she would not have attended a school as prestigious as Notre Dame—an accomplishment for which she is exceptionally grateful.
Now, approaching her ten-year law school anniversary, she is impressed by what the current scholars have accomplished, and encourages them to seize on all the Weigand Trust has to offer.
"The quality of scholars is amazing," she said. "It's just such a unique opportunity to have this advantage and have this network built in."
Now, fifteen years after Claudette’s request for pictures of J.L. for the creation of the Weigand program, Jenn is eager to share with the Weigands a family photo of her own.
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Jennifer with her husband Stephan, and children Anna, Lucas, and Lily.
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Contributing to this article: Jennifer Salva, Washburn '19
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IVERY GOLDSTEIN
Ivery Goldstein, KU '06, fosters opportunities for women in the law through example, volunteerism and academia
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As a
'06, Ivery Goldstein
had the unique experience to see the Weigand community expand over the last 13 years. And she likes what she sees in terms of the program's continued growth. "The way they've grown the program is amazing, especially the way that students have participated" she said. She remembers the hardest thing about being a part of that growth was during scholarship interviews. She got to meet so many incredible people, but only got to recommend some of them. Thankfully, she said, the trustees take over the hardest job of making final selections between so many excellent candidates.
A former "excellent candidate" herself, Ivery has continued to build an impressive and diverse resume in the Kansas legal field. In addition to her four-year tenure at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), Ivery worked in healthcare compliance and litigation at Simpson, Logback, Lynch, Norris PA in Topeka, and for the Kansas Court of Appeals and Kansas Supreme Court. And, she just concluded a term position working directly for Chief Justice Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court. Her latest position began in July, working as a general law attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 in Lenexa, Kansas.
Ivery is using that experience in she gained in employment law at KDOT and in private practice—in particular in ADA compliance—as she earns her PhD in American Studies with a focus anti-discrimination legislation and disability history at the University of Kansas. Working in the field of employment law and disability discrimination was one of her favorite positions over her career, and she is excited to build upon that in academia. "I enjoy hearing peoples’ stories and figuring out what they need" and "understanding how complicated schemes of things work together—or don't work together." While crafting her dissertation on disability discrimination in employment, Ivery teaches a research seminar for seniors in the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at KU.
There are areas in the legal field, however, where Ivery sees room for improvement. Women in the law still do not receive equal opportunities and fair treatment across the workforce. Ivery says that balancing a career, family, and personal well-being continue to be a challenge for most lawyers, but particularly women. "There is not enough time in the day to volunteer at school, bill your hours, put in face time, develop clients, and make dinner every night," she said. During her own career, Ivery raises her twin sons, Dylan and Ethan, who graduated from Free State High School in Lawrence in May. They are currently freshman at KU, and Ivery is glad they decided to stay close to home.
Ivery brings unique perspective to the challenges facing women in the law—not only given her 13 years as a practitioner and legal researcher, but through her academic insight into gender issues through her teaching and research at KU. Ivery said studies still show women tend to do more household work and family tasks in the home, and that there are fewer female partners despite nearly equal law school admissions among men and women. She is hopeful of change, though, as she guides undergraduate students through their capstone research projects involving women's studies issues of their choice—some of whom plan to pursue law themselves following graduation.
But she’s not just standing idly by; Ivery is working toward continued improvement within women’s legal employment as a longtime member and current co-chair of the Kansas Women Attorney Association (KWAA) education and outreach committee. In the last year alone, KWAA has collaborated with several other groups for programs on poverty and women in transactional law and is planning more programs for professional women. Currently, her committee is planning a program this spring to provide information to women attorneys about legal issues they may encounter as they pursue various paths toward motherhood—but do not necessarily practice in areas of the law involving fertility, foster care, or adoption.
Ivery said Kansas is fortunate to have female attorneys in key leadership positions including all levels of judges, general counsels, private practice attorneys and those who give their time and attention to helping other women in the legal profession. "On a personal level, many of my best friends are women lawyers. They are willing to show up, celebrate, commiserate, listen and give life and career advice. I really cherish these friendships and am constantly inspired by them,” she said.
Ivery said she is also inspired by her undergraduate students at KU and law students, especially the current Weigands who “bravely do amazing things and will be fantastic lawyers and leaders for the next generation.” Her advice to students and new graduates is actually wise for each of us to reflect on no matter our stage of career and life: "Enjoy where you are in the process, which I know at times seems impossible. Be open to a lot of possibilities as they come. It's always good to have a plan so you can be walking in some direction, but who knows where you will end up going or what you will end up loving."
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Ivery and her sons Ethan (left) and Dylan (right). Both graduated from Free State High School in May and are freshmen at the University of Kansas.
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