A new attorney has recently joined the Iolan community.
Steve Staker began working with the Immel Works & Heim firm in January and though he has been commuting 50 minutes from Fredonia each day for work, he has been settling in well at the firm, he says.
“Everyone here at the firm, court house and county clerk’s office have all been friendly and great to work with,” he said. “I have enjoyed practicing here so far.”
He lives in Fredonia because his wife is a first-year teacher at its high school. He says he doesn’t mind the drive.
Staker graduated from Washburn and went to law school at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. He has practiced criminal law in the past and still does, but has been learning to do more civil cases.
“I have been trying to learn some new things like being a general practice attorney and working on the civil side of law,” Staker said.
The switch in practices has been a scary process for Staker because “anytime you are doing something new it takes you out of your comfort level.”
Staker is on contract with the Allen County Courthouse on felony cases when the public defender’s office has a conflict case — what is called a conflicts contract.
He spends most of his time working in Allen County but also does work with Wilson and Woodson County, “basically the 31st judicial district,” he said.
Though Staker and his family are a distance away from Iola he is trying to become more involved in the community and even ran the 5K Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run For Your Life race last weekend.
