Court writing allows creative flair

by Jonas Faria

The ability to comb through government documents and create a version accessible to the average reader is not a skill everyone possesses.

Lisa Taylor, '98, puts her creativity and writing ability to work every day in an environment known for its jargon and massive never-ending texts: the Kansas Supreme Court.

Taylor became the public information director responsible for the public communication of an entire branch of the Kansas state judiciary, and she succeeded Ron Keefover, who founded the court’s public information office in 1981 and retired in September 2013.

At that time, Taylor knew she had to do what she was good at and be herself in this position.

“I cannot possibly do what [Keefover] did because I do not know what he knows, but I know writing and creating," said Taylor. “I’m going to write; I’m going to create and that’s what I have done.”

According to Breckyn Rowley, '21, communications specialist on Taylor’s team, Taylor is a constant learner, always trying to stay current.

“She never leaves a question unasked; she is always looking for new ways to do things,” said Rowley.

One innovation that Taylor implemented in the office was color. She likes to say that she brought color to the judicial branch, amid so many black and white texts. She worked on a re-brand to make communications more accessible, attractive, and simple.

One example of Taylor’s work includes the booklets prepared for the audience to read before the court is in session. These materials are to familiarize the lay audience with terms and conduct of the judicial environment.

Taylor explains that this special language in the courts facilitates communication between the judges and the lawyers, but sometimes leaves the public without a clear understanding of what is going on.

Taylor positions herself as a great advocate of plain language in everything she produces: brochures, reports, photos, and videos.

With more than 23 years working for the state of Kansas, 10 of those years in the judicial branch alone, Taylor is proud of how communication has evolved and continues to evolve. She is currently setting up a studio together with her team.

“You feel like you are doing something valuable and important, and it means something to my neighborhood because you want to be able to rely on the court system to help you,” said Taylor. “How can I make the public explanation of the Kansas court system easy for people to understand, easy to consume? I feel that is my role. I love the state government.”

But Taylor does remember a time when she was not so sure. With a definite goal of writing and being creative, she moved to Dallas, Texas, after graduating and wrote copy for six months for the Department of Defense at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. But, Texas was not for her, so she returned to Kansas.

After applying for different jobs in communications, the best offer came from the state, at the Department of Agriculture. But Taylor said she was reluctant to work in such a “non-creative” place.

“What I found out about state government is that it’s infinitely interesting because the stuff that state government does is technical, complex, and it is like a neverending stream of information,” said Taylor. “And that satisfies my curiosity.”