Our History

Our firm has been serving clients in the Hutchinson area and throughout the state of Kansas for over 100 years. The firm was established by George A. Neeley, who moved to Hutchinson, Kansas in 1907. In 1912, Mr. Neeley formed a partnership with A. Clare Malloy. During the early years of the firm, Dan W. Forker, Jr.’s grandfather, William J. Smith, a Barrister from Ireland, read for the law at this law firm. Mr. Smith later joined the Frank Colladay Hardware Company. 

In 1917, the firm moved from its first office, which was located in the Hoke Building, to an office in the Rorabough-Wiley Building. After Mr. Neeley’s death in 1919, Mr. Malloy partnered with Roy C. Davis and Warren H. White. The firm’s name was changed to Malloy, Davis and White. Both Mr. White and Mr. Davis remained with the firm until their deaths in 1946 and 1959, respectively. 

In 1927, Frank S. Hodge joined the firm, followed by William H. Vernon, Jr. and Eugene White in the 1930’s. Notably, Mr. Vernon served in the Navy during WWII and returned to the firm in 1946, where he remained until he joined the American National Bank in 1947. Eugene White remained with the firm until 1960, when he became general counsel of J.S. Dillon and Sons Company. 



Robert Y. Jones joined the firm in 1947, followed by Dennis Smith in 1963 and Kenneth Peirce in 1964. In 1966, Dan W. Forker, Jr. joined the firm as an associate. Mr. Forker became a partner in 1970 and the firm’s name was changed to Hodge, Reynolds, Smith, Peirce & Forker. Mr. Forker is currently the firm’s senior and managing partner. 

In 1973, John T. Suter became an associate of the firm. Mr. Suter became a partner in 1977 and remained with the firm continuously until his death on June 2, 2017. 

Patricia Rose Myers joined the firm as an associate in 1980 and became a partner in 1984. Ms. Rose remained with the firm until 2011, when she was elected Reno County District Court Judge.

In 1986, the firm moved from the Wiley Building to its current location at The Plaza. Today, Forker Suter LLC, continues to honor its tradition of providing trustworthy, high quality representation.