Symposium Prize

Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium Prize

2024 Myron E. Sildon Excellence In Estate Planning Prize Winners

1st Place – Samantha White
2nd Place - Calli Wiseman

3rd Place – Ben Hobstetter


Recognizing students of superior character, academic achievement, and potential who plan to pursue a career in estate planning


About The Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium Prize


The prize was established at the UMKC School of Law with contributions from the Estate Planning Society of Kansas City, Inc., the Federal (now the Kansas City) Estate Planning Symposium and from the trust departments of the following banks:

Bank of America, Commerce Bank, US Bank, Midwest Trust Company and UMB Bank.

The prize is intended to encourage student participation and excellence in the study of estate planning at the UMKC School of Law.

The prize’s name was changed in 2003 from The Estate Planning Society of Kansas City Prize to The Federal Estate Planning Symposium Prize and since 2006 is now the Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium Prize.


2025 Application

The Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium Prizes Awards will be given for the top three finishers


First Place Award

The Myron E. Sildon Excellence in Estate Planning: $2,000


Second Place Award: $1,500


Third Place Award: $1,000


*A student who places in the Top 3 will receive an additional $1,000 by also submitting a written paper


Who Can Apply

UMKC students pursuing either a Juris Doctor or Master of Law may apply by:

  1. Submitting a written paper
  2. Participating in an externship program in relation to estate planning
  3. Being nominated by a faculty member

This award is based on merit with the following criteria:

  • Scholastic ability and attainments in estate planning related courses
  • Participation in estate planning clubs
  • Professor’s recommendation
  • GPA and the quality of the written materials
  • Employment or clerkships in the estate planning field
  • Evidence of leadership qualities
  • Sensitivity to high ethical standards
  • Superior communication skills

The Application & Selection Process

Applications must be submitted by March 18, 2025 with the following accompanying information:

  1. An official application cover sheet
  2. A resume
  3. Grade point average
  4. Estate planning course attended
  5. A summary of those academic and extracurricular achievements and honors that the applicant considers particularly relevant to assessing his or her academic and leadership potential, as well as his or her sensitivity to ethical standards; AND
  6. One of the following:
    1. A sample of the applicant’s writing on an estate planning law related subject. Students may use papers previously written for class, law review articles, or other purposes;
    2. Participation in the student externship program, with a written statement describing either a specific externship project or summarizing the student’s participation in the program;
    3. Nomination by a UMKC Law Professor of an outstanding J.D. or L.L.M. student that has shown an interest in a career in estate planning.

Candidates will be asked to interview with the Selection Committee in April 2025.  The competition will include both written materials and oral presentations to the selection committee by all applicants.

All candidates will be invited to attend as a guest of the Planning Committee at the Annual Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium Thursday-Friday, April 24-25, 2025, and prize recipients will receive recognition during lunch on Thursday, April 24th at the Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kansas.


2025 Application

For additional information contact:

Lori McCombs
KCEPS Executive Director
lori@kceps.org
816.832.7815