Emily Depew

Emily Depew is a research and writing attorney whose experience spans all three branches of Kansas government. She has litigated on behalf of the Governor of Kansas in trial and appellate courts, analyzed civil and criminal appeals for the Kansas Court of Appeals, and drafted resolutions for the Kansas House and Senate—an uncommon vantage on how laws are written, interpreted, and applied.

That work builds on a law-school record of rare distinction in appellate advocacy. At the University of Kansas School of Law, Emily won three national moot court championships and was twice named a best speaker at the Houston moot court national championship. In KU Law’s assessment, “Depew has had more success in appellate oral advocacy than any other KU Law student.”

As Associate Counsel to Governor Laura Kelly, Emily represented the Governor in litigation and advised her office on constitutional and statutory questions, legislation, judicial appointments, pardons, and other matters of consequence to the State. Before that, she served as a research attorney to Judge Amy Fellows Cline of the Kansas Court of Appeals, working through complex civil and criminal appeals, and as a Legislative Fellow in the Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes.

Emily’s path to the law ran through public service. She spent nearly seven years at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas, ultimately leading its Student Advisory Board and working alongside national, state, and local leaders.

At Wagstaff & Cartmell, Emily concentrates on the legal questions that can decide a case. She works to turn difficult legal questions into clear, persuasive arguments. She also returns to KU Law as an adjunct professor, where she coaches moot court teams.