Richard W. Hird
Rick Hird has more than 40 years of experience helping clients find solutions in the areas of estate planning, probate, corporate and business law, business transactions, mediation and civil litigation.
In 2024, Rick became a Kansas Court Approved Mediator. Rick is a proponent of alternative dispute resolution and offers mediation services in a wide variety of civil cases, including business disputes, probate, estate, and trust matters and personal injury cases. (No divorces or custody cases, please.)
Rick is involved in his community and believes in giving back:
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, Officer (2014-19, Officer 2017-18)
Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission (2013-19, Chair 2011-12)
Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Board of Directors (2013-18, President 2018)
Willow Springs Fire District No. 3, Board of Directors, Secretary (2018-2023)
Rural Water District No. 2, Board of Directors, Secretary (2004-present)
Rotary International, Paul Harris Fellow (2006-2024)
Rick and his wife, Deb, live in the country and enjoy working in their small vineyard and making wine. Rick is an avid fly fisherman and he and Deb are devoted Jayhawk fans.
Richard W. Hird
rhird@petefishlaw.com
Legal Services
- Mediation
- Administrative and Regulatory Law
- Civil Litigation
- Contracts and Commercial Agreements
- Wills, Trusts and Probate
Education
- Washburn University School of Law,
Topeka, KS, J.D., December 1981
- University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, B.S.
Journalism, 1976
Bar Admissions
- United States Supreme Court (1997)
- 10th Circuit Court of Appeals (1982)
- U.S. District Court for the District of
Kansas (1982)
- U.S. Tax Court (2005)
- State of Kansas (1982)
- State of Missouri (2006)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Kansas and Douglas County (President,
2009-2010) Bar Associations
- Douglas County Bench-Bar Committee
(2010)
- Douglas County Estate Planning Council
(President, 2024)
Speaking and Publications
- Legal Issues for Business Owners, WCAF Show, Las Vegas, NV, January 2005
- Opening For Business, PPFA National Convention, Atlanta, GA, September 2005
- Helping Your Clients Buy and Sell Businesses, CLE for Douglas County Bar Association, Lawrence, KS, December 2009
- Due Diligence in Business Transactions, CLE for Kansas Bar Association, Overland Park, KS, October 2010
- Legal and Regulatory Challenges and Hurdles for NG9-1-1 Implementation: View from the Commissions, NENA and Lessons from the Frontline, Panel
Discussion, Illinois Institute of Technology Real Time Communications Laboratory 7th Annual Conference, October 2011
- Drafting Effective Business Contracts; Business Law Boot Camp, National Business Institute, Overland Park, KS, May 2016
Richard W. Hird
Rick Hird is a partner with Petefish, Immel, Hird, Johnson & Leibold, LLP, in Lawrence, Kansas, with more than 40 years of experience helping clients find solutions in the areas of estate planning, probate, corporate and business law, business transactions and civil litigation. Rick helps clients with all types of business issues, from selecting and forming the correct type of business entity, to navigating mergers and acquisitions, obtaining project and operating credit facilities, drafting contracts and creating exit strategies with integrated estate planning.
Rick is involved in his community and believes in giving back. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and served on the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission (2013-2019, Chair 2011-2012). He served as a member of the Board of Directors and as President of Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and is still an active supporter. Rick is a member of the Board of Directors of Willow Springs Fire District No. 3, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Douglas County Rural Water District No. 2, a member and past President of the Douglas County Bar Association, and a member of Rotary International.
Rick and his wife Debby have two adult sons. They live in the country with two dogs and two cats and have a small vineyard, aptly named Wild Hare Vineyard, and enjoy working outdoors and making wine. They are also KU alumni and avid Jayhawks fans.
Richard W. Hird
rhird@petefishlaw.com
Legal Services
- Administrative and Regulatory Law
- Civil Litigation
- Contracts and Commercial Agreements
- Wills, Trusts and Probate
Education
- Washburn University School of Law,
Topeka, KS, J.D., December 1981
- University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, B.S.
Journalism, 1976
Bar Admissions
- United States Supreme Court (1997)
- 10th Circuit Court of Appeals (1982)
- U.S. District Court for the District of
Kansas (1982)
- U.S. Tax Court (2005)
- State of Kansas (1982)
- State of Missouri (2006)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Kansas and Douglas County (President,
2009-2010) Bar Associations
- Douglas County Bench-Bar Committee
(2010)
- Douglas County Estate Planning Council
Speaking and Publications
- Legal Issues for Business Owners, WCAF Show, Las Vegas, NV, January 2005
- Opening For Business, PPFA National Convention, Atlanta, GA, September 2005
- Helping Your Clients Buy and Sell Businesses, CLE for Douglas County Bar Association, Lawrence, KS, December 2009
- Due Diligence in Business Transactions, CLE for Kansas Bar Association, Overland Park, KS, October 2010
- Legal and Regulatory Challenges and Hurdles for NG9-1-1 Implementation: View from the Commissions, NENA and Lessons from the Frontline, Panel
Discussion, Illinois Institute of Technology Real Time Communications Laboratory 7th Annual Conference, October 2011
- Drafting Effective Business Contracts; Business Law Boot Camp, National Business Institute, Overland Park, KS, May 2016