Mitchell R. Southerland

Mr. Southerland is an employment and labor law attorney with an extensive background in entertainment and talent management. Prior to graduating from Washburn University School of Law, Mitchell spent most of his career as a production manager for live events. Before joining Morris Laing, he had the honor of working with another cherished Wichita institution—Music Theatre Wichita—as the company’s longtime Director of Production.

Over his career, Mitchell has conducted nearly 1,000 employee interviews; written a similar number of employment contracts; designed and implemented multiple workplace health and safety programs; negotiated collective bargaining agreements between management and labor; and spoken on these topics to numerous college and industry groups across the nation. He is a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.

In 2022, Mitchell decided to fulfill a lifelong goal of earning a law degree and was awarded the prestigious John B. Wooley and Colleen Lee Wooley Distinguished Scholarship to attend Washburn University School of Law. While at Washburn Law, he worked closely with Prof. David Rubenstein as a research assistant in the areas of constitutional and administrative law. Mitchell also spent a semester as an intern in Washburn’s Civil Litigation Clinic. He earned his Juris Doctor in 2025, graduating magna cum laude. Shortly thereafter, he joined the firm as a full-time attorney after having spent the prior year working as a law clerk.

When not practicing law, Mitchell enjoys spending time with his wife, Amanda, and their two pets: Reginald (cat) and Josie (dog); traveling; spending time outdoors; sailing; working on home projects; attending theatre; and playing trivia with friends.

Education

• Washburn University School of Law, J.D., 2025
  • Washburn Law Clinic Civil Litigation Intern
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Awards: Civil Procedure I, Business Associations
• University of Oklahoma, B.F.A., Drama, 2014
  • United States Institute for Theatre Technology Chapter President
  • A.L. Mortensen Award for Excellence
  • USITT / KCACTF Awards for Excellence in Technical Direction

Admissions

• Kansas Bar, 2025
• United States District Court for the District of Kansas, 2025

Professional Memberships

• Kansas Bar Association, Member
• Wichita Bar Association, Member
• United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Member
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Member

Civic/Community Involvement

• Board of Directors, Nonprofit GO, 2025–present
• Judge, Music Theatre Wichita Jesters Program