Debra Wendtland Of Sheridan Receives Champion Of Justice Award

The Wyoming State Bar is pleased to announce that Debra J. Wendtland, an attorney from Sheridan, Wyoming, has received the 2023 Champion of Justice Award.

Marty and Erik Oblasser, both lawyers from Laramie, presented the award at last week’s Pro Bono Luncheon which was held in conjunction with the Bar’s Annual Meeting & Judicial Conference in Laramie.

The nomination for the award was also submitted by the Oblassers.

Wendtland was recognized for her many contributions to the Wyoming State Bar, but specifically she received the award in recognition for her work as an adoption attorney. 

In the nomination, the Oblassers shared how Wendtland not only facilitates adoptions, but she goes above and beyond to ensure that birth mothers receive the support and resources they need—including medical coverage, assistance with scheduling medical appointments, transportation to and from appointments, assistance in completing an aptitude assessment, enrollment into appropriate programs and any other resources needed. 

Wendtland’s commitment to the birth mothers extends after the adoptions are complete, all on a pro bono basis.

Wendtland attended the University of Wyoming College of Law in Laramie – graduating with her juris doctor degree in 1988.

She worked in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the firm of Ray, Quinney & Nebecker for about two years and then chose to return home to Wyoming where she practiced in Torrington with the firm of Sawyer & Kautz.

In 1990 she married her husband, Tony, and moved to Sheridan.

She practiced as a partner in Connor & Wendtland for seven years and then practiced with Davis & Cannon until 2005 when she opened Wendtland & Wendtland, LLP with Tony. 

Debra Wendtland is also chairwoman of the Northern Wyoming Community College District Board of Trustees.