KU Law student awarded fellowship to work in Wichita

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas School of Law student Chris Cummings has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Judge Gregory L. Waller Public Interest Legal Fellowship. Following graduation, Cummings will begin work this fall with the Sedgwick County Public Defender's Office in Wichita.

The fellowship supports qualified law students and newly admitted attorneys pursuing careers in public interest law in Wichita. Recipients may work as prosecutors with the Office of the District Attorney or the city of Wichita, public defenders, attorneys with Kansas Legal Services or other public service organizations. The program aims to encourage new attorneys to launch their careers in Wichita and become active members of the local legal community.

“I am honored to receive the Judge Gregory L. Waller Public Interest Legal Fellowship from the Wichita Bar Association,” Cummings said. “Public defense is one of the most vital and underserved areas of our justice system, and this recognition affirms the importance of that work. The fellowship will allow me to begin my career as a public defender in Wichita with the support and encouragement of the legal community I am proud to be joining.”

The fellowship provides financial and professional support for attorneys entering public service positions. Benefits include reimbursement for bar exam preparation programs, bar exam fees and related expenses; a six-month housing and living stipend; mentorship from an active member of the Wichita Bar Association; and payment of Wichita Bar Association membership dues for three years.