Attorneys and Staff

John R. Hamilton
John R. Hamilton, born January 8, 1940, in El Dorado, Kansas, is a member of our firm and has been engaged in the practice of law since 1965. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1965 from the Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Union University in 1962. John authored the “Eminent Domain-Practice and Procedure” chapter of the Kansas Real Estate Practice and Procedure Handbook, Kansas Bar Association, 2009, and co-authored the Kansas Chapter “Law and Procedure of Eminent Domain in the 50 States,” Condemnation Land Use and Zoning Committee, Litigation Section, American Bar Association (2009).
On May 14th, 2016, John received an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Washburn University School of Law, being widely recognized as a leading expert in the areas of eminent domain and condemnation.
John is a current member of the Topeka, Kansas and American Bar Associations. John is on the Washburn School of Law Board of Governors, and he is a member of Owners' Counsel of America.
John is listed in Ingram's "Best Lawyers in America" under the field of eminent domain. He has also been named a "Super Lawyer" from 2009-2016. This distinction recognizes him as one of the top 5% of all attorneys in Kansas and Missouri in the field of eminent domain.
His practice areas include eminent domain, condemnation and trial practice.
Contact:
jhamilton@hamiltonlaughlin.com
jhamilton@hamiltonlaughlin.com
Legal Assistant:
Michele Gettler
Michele Gettler

Gary E. Laughlin
Gary E. Laughlin, born April 17, 1945, in Manhattan, Kansas, is a member of our firm and has been engaged in the practice of law since 1970.
He received his Juris Doctorate in 1970 from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. During law school, Gary was a member of Phi Alpha Delta. He completed his undergraduate studies at Washburn University in 1968.
Currently, Gary is a member of the Topeka, Kansas and American Bar Associations, the Kansas Association for Justice, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Gary was named in Ingram's Kansas City Business Magazine as a "Top Lawyer" in the Kansas City region, recognizing him as one of the area's top legal talents in 2012.
His practice areas include personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, workers' compensation, products liability and wrongful termination.
Contact:
glaughlin@hamiltonlaughlin.com
glaughlin@hamiltonlaughlin.com
Legal Assistant:
Marianne Wessel
Marianne Wessel

William B. Barker
William B. Barker, Bill, born September 2, 1948, in Topeka, Kansas, is a member of our firm and has been engaged in the practice of law in Kansas since 1977. He is also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th and 10th Circuits, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.
He received his Juris Doctorate in 1977 from the Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas. During law school, Bill was a member of Phi Alpha Delta. He completed his undergraduate studies at Kansas State University in 1971.
Bill served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1974, and the Kansas Army National Guard from 1974-2001. Currently he is a member of the Topeka and Kansas Bar Associations.
His practice areas include transportation regulation, interstate commerce, motor carrier law, business formations, and estate planning/probate.
Legal Assistant:
Michele Gettler
Michele Gettler

Eric K. Johnson
Eric K. Johnson, born May 19, 1953, in Topeka, Kansas, is a member of our firm and has been engaged in the practice of law in Kansas since 1978. Eric is also admitted to the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.
He received his Juris Doctorate in 1978 from the Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas. He completed his undergraduate studies at Washburn University of Topeka in 1975.
Eric is currently a member of the Topeka and Kansas Bar Associations. His practice areas include family law, divorce, military divorce, child support, child custody and estate planning.
Legal Assistant:
Michele Gettler
Michele Gettler

Jeffrey W. Jones
Jeffrey W. Jones has been engaged in the practice of law in Kansas since 1981. Jeff is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Jeff completed his undergraduate education at Washburn University and graduated with a B.S. in 1977. Jeff then attended the Washburn University School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate with honors in 1981. Jeff is a member of the Kansas and Topeka Bar Associations.
Jeff's practice areas include personal injury, workers compensation, traffic and DUI defense, and probate (wills and trusts).
Contact:
jjones@hamiltonlaughlin.com
jjones@hamiltonlaughlin.com
Staff
Michele Gettler
Michele was born in Dallas, TX, and moved to Kansas with her parents. She attended Washburn University and Fort Hays State University. Her husband, Tom, is a member of the Dale Sharp Honda sales team, and they have two children.
Contact:
info@hamiltonlaughlin.com
info@hamiltonlaughlin.com
Marianne Wessel
Marianne Wessel is a 1975 graduate of Jefferson West High School in Meriden, Kansas. She attended Washburn University. She previously worked in the transportation industry for 16 years, and has worked for Gary E. Laughlin as his secretary/assistant for the past 20 years.
Marianne is married to Allan A. Wessel, a sales representative for Custom Wood Products. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Outside of work, Marianne loves to play golf and cards, and spend time with family and friends.
Contact:
mwessel@hamiltonlaughlin.com
mwessel@hamiltonlaughlin.com
Call Us Today At ♦ (785) 267-2410
Contact Information
Hamilton Laughlin Barker Johnson & Jones
Email: info@hamiltonlaughlin.com
3649 SW Burlingame Road
Topeka, KS 66611
Phone: (785) 267-2410Topeka, KS 66611
Email: info@hamiltonlaughlin.com
Business Hours
Mon - Fri:
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat - Sun:
Closed
Appointments Available
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