KU Law to honor distinguished alumni

Wed, 04/23/2025

Julie Francisco

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Law will recognize Kenneth Gaines and the Hon. Paula Martin with its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award at a private dinner April 26 in Lawrence. The award celebrates graduates for their professional achievements, contributions to the legal field and service to their community and the university.

Kenneth W. Gaines, Class of 1976, began his KU journey as a four-year track scholarship athlete, earning a bachelor’s degree in education before working for the Kansas Civil Rights Commission and ultimately returning to KU to complete his law degree.

After practicing law briefly in Kansas and Washington, D.C., Gaines became a legal adviser at the University of Maryland. In 1978, he joined the University of South Carolina School of Law as an assistant dean and lecturer, serving in that role for 12 years. Upon completion of his LLM in Litigation from Emory University School of Law in 1990, he joined the faculty of the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1991, specializing in criminal and civil litigation. He was tenured as an associate professor in 1997.

Over his career, Gaines served as a commentator and presenter for CLE programs, legal workshops and media outlets, and he mentored students through organizations such as the Black Law Students Association and mock trial teams. He was appointed director of clinical legal education in 2016 and retired as professor emeritus in 2023 after 45 years of service.

A leader beyond the classroom, Gaines chaired the Richland Community Health Care Association Board from 2002 to 2013 and served as state chair of South Carolina Common Cause. He has been a member of the John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court since 2003. Upon his retirement, he received a letter of commendation from the governor of South Carolina recognizing his enduring impact on legal education, the legal profession and the state.

Hon. Paula Martin, Class of 1981, began her legal career at the Lawrence firm Collister and Kampschroeder. She practiced law as a solo attorney and as a deputy attorney for the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys before being appointed District Court Judge in the 7th Judicial District in 1994. She served on the bench until her retirement in 2019, managing one of the highest-volume dockets in Kansas with both civil and criminal cases.

Martin has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service. Over the past 45 years, she has actively volunteered with numerous organizations, including the Lawrence Community Shelter, L.I.N.K., Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA and the Ballard Center, where a room will be named in her honor.

She currently serves as vice chair of the Heartland Community Health Center board of directors.

Martin co-founded the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, a nonprofit that offers forensic interviews, court advocacy, and medical and mental health services to families impacted by child abuse. She now serves as chair of the board. The center has become an essential part of the Douglas County criminal justice system.

View previous Distinguished Alumni Award recipients on the law school’s website.

The law school will also recognize James Woods Green Medallion honorees and members of the Dean’s Club. Named after the law school’s first dean, the medallion recognizes the school’s major financial supporters. This year’s honorees include: