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LEA BAILES

Mr. Lea Bailes was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. He attended Baylor University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's of Business Administration and a major in Accounting. He graduated from Baylor University School of Law, also cum laude, with a JD.  Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Bailes and his wife moved to the Kansas City area where she was born and raised. After graduating, he first decided to use his entrepreneurial spirit and involved himself in the family business. After seeing the need individuals and small business have for expert legal services, Mr. Bailes previously started and ran his own law practice before joining Rains and Spiegel, LLC.  Mr. Bailes’ practice focuses on business law and estate planning.  Mr. Bailes is admitted to practice in Missouri and Kansas. He is a member the Missouri Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Clay County Bar Association and American Bar Association.

DAVID BARTON

David F. Barton has extensive experience in environmental, government and government contract, and corporate law. He joined The Gardner Law Firm in 1996 after serving as a United States Air Force JAG officer as well as having six years of private practice with firms in Texas.

 

Mr. Barton counsels clients in environmental matters, government contracts, regulatory compliance, commercial law, and litigation related to those areas. He represents industries, businesses and government units on matters involving water, air, solid and hazardous waste, toxins, wetlands, endangered species, historic preservation, NEPA, Superfund, and federal and state court litigation in those areas. He has taught courses in criminal law, litigation, administration of justice and environmental crimes at several universities throughout the United States, and he has been a guest speaker at environmental law and government contract seminars.

 

Mr. Barton has been licensed to practice in Texas since 1991, and is also licensed in Arkansas. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of Military Appeals, and several United States Circuit Courts of Appeals and United States District Courts. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas (Environmental & Natural Resources Section, among others); College of the State Bar of Texas, the Arkansas Bar Association, the Arkansas Bar Foundation (Fellow), the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the San Antonio Bar Association (Environmental Section). He is also an active participant in the San Antonio Manufacturers Association, the Alamo Area Chapter--Air & Waste Management Association, and Citizens Advisory Panel of the San Antonio Water System.

 

Mr. Barton is a graduate of the University of Arkansas (J.D. 1975) and the University of Missouri at Columbia (B.A. 1967).

HON. DOUGLAS R. BEACH

Judge Douglas R. Beach was appointed by Governor Matt Blunt as Associate Circuit Court Judge for St. Louis County Missouri in 2005. Judge Beach graduated from Central Conn. State University in 1970, and received his law degree from New England School of Law (Cum Laude) in 1973. He retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel were he served as Judge Advocate.         

 He was in the private practiced law in St. Louis being named in the Best Lawyers of America publication for 10 consecutive years. Was an incorporator of the City of Chesterfield in 1988 and served as the City Attorney for 17 ½ years before his appointment to the bench. Judge Beach as been assigned to the Family Court since he was appointed in 2005. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is a frequent lecturer on Family law and other legal topics.  

 

GAIL BERKOWITZ

• Admitted to the Missouri Bar, 1985
• Administrative Law Judge Review Committee, 1994
• Member of Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
• Member of Eastern Jackson County Bar Association
• The Missouri Bar
• Member of Missouri Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1994 - present
• Appointed to UMKC School of Law Litigation Advisory Committee

SHELLEY BISHOP

Ms. Shelley L. Bishop was born in Nurnberg, Germany. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 1990 and her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1996. Shelley has a diverse legal background that includes oil, gas and mineral rights; experience at one of the nation’s leading law firms in litigation; and now, founding member of a small firm in Kearney, Missouri, where she focuses her practice in the areas of family law, bankruptcy and general litigation, representing clients in Clay, Platte, Clinton, and Ray Counties. Shelley has been nominated to membership in The College of the State Bar of Texas for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003. The College of the State Bar of Texas is an honor society chartered by the Supreme Court of Texas to recognize lawyers who make extraordinary commitments to develop the skills and knowledge to provide clients with the best representation possible and to keep those skills and knowledge at their peak. Shelley is a member of the Clay County Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association and is admitted to practice in all State Courts and Federal Court in the Western District of Missouri. In addition, Shelley maintains her license to practice law in Texas and is admitted to all State Courts, and Federal Courts in the Western District of Texas and the Northern District of Texas. Shelley is a veteran of the United States Air Force and was admitted to the bar in Texas in 1996 and Missouri in 2001. 

GARY BOLLINGER

Mr. Gary D. Bollinger graduated from Washington University School of Law, with a J.D. in 1979. His practice is currently focused on consumer bankruptcy.

JIM BRADY

Mr. Jim Brady has been Director of the Missouri Lawyers Assistance Program since April 1, 2005. He is also the coordinator of the Mentoring Project for the Missouri Bar. Jim holds a Master of Social Work degree from University of Missouri-Columbia, and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1991. His experience includes work in both mental health and substance abuse treatment in a variety of settings. Jim lives in Jefferson City, where he is active in community theater, and sings in the Jefferson City Cantorum.

JEFF BUNTEN

Mr. Jeffrey J. Bunten practices in the areas of Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Veteran’s Disability Compensation and Pension. He has represented over 2500 individuals at ALJ hearings before the Social Security Administration. He has represented over 200 people at the District Court level in Social Security claims. He has an active practice representing Veterans before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at all levels. He is a member of the Missouri Bar. He is admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and the United States District Court - Eastern District Missouri. Currently, he is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA), and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL). He is currently chair of the Administrative Law Committee at BAMSL. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law. 

THOMAS M. BURKE

Mr. Thomas M. Burke received his BA degree from the University of Notre Dame and his JD degree from St. Louis University. He is currently the President of The Missouri Bar. He is a member of The Missouri Bar, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, American Bar Association, The Lawyer’s Association of St. Louis, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Lawyers Association of St. Louis, St. Louis County Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group, Missouri Bar Foundation.

 

NIMROD "ROD" T. CHAPEL, JR.

Nimrod “Rod” Chapel, Jr., was appointed as a Commissioner on the Administrative Hearing Commission in October of 2007 after serving as the 12^th Director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.  Rod has held over 200 hearings and issued more than 150 decisions.  The Administrative Hearing Commission is a neutral, independent, administrative tribunal.  Some of its cases are appeals from decisions of other state agencies.  Others are cases that an agency or private person initiates.  Each Commissioner sits independently and acts on behalf of the Commission.  The Administrative Hearing Commission has jurisdiction in over one hundred (100) statutorily specified matters including state tax, professional licensing and Medicaid provider issues.  Decisions are made under a contested case procedure, usually involving a contested hearing.  All decisions are subject to judicial review and published on its website and by Westlaw and Lexis.  Prior to joining the Commission, Rod also served as General Counsel/Director of Legal Services for the Missouri Department of Revenue and worked in Kansas City as trial lawyer with the Sly James Firm.  He is active in bar associations and the community.

Rod is married to Denise Chapel and has a young son.

STEVE CLARK

Stephen R. Clark, the driving force behind Clark Law Firm, is a self-professed “recovering big firm lawyer.”  Mr. Clark spent seventeen years in large firms, the last 10 of which as a partner.  Clark Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with a nation litigation practice representing clients across the country.  Mr. Clark has handled cases in over 20 federal district courts, four federal courts of appeal, and the courts of nine states.  He has served as lead defense counsel in a number of class actions in state and federal courts.  He has tried numerous jury and bench trials, and has argued several appeals.  Mr. Clark has developed and executed legislative strategies, has testified before the Missouri legislature on several occasions, and has participated in the negotiation and drafting of groundbreaking legislation.  He has acted as lead counsel for a national telecommunications company in over 250 state tax lawsuits, including a class action and various state and federal suits.  Mr. Clark also regularly enforces employment and other arbitration agreements, having represented a national company known as a pioneer in arbitrating employment disputes.  Clients routinely call upon Mr. Clark to handle their most complex business disputes.  Mr. Clark has achieved Martindale-Hubble’s highest peer review rating – AV – continuously since 2000.  Mr. Clark was named a “Super Lawyer” by Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers (2005) magazine which recognizes the top 5 percent of attorneys nationwide as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law and Politics Publishing.

 

DUSTIN COLE

Over the past twenty years, Dustin Cole has worked with hundreds of firms to help them increase revenues, and has trained over twenty thousand attorneys across the United States in how to build more successful and satisfying practices. He brings more than 35 years of experience in every phase of business management, business development and team development to his work with the legal profession. Dustin began his work with the legal profession with the founding in 1985 of Public Strategies Florida, a public relations and marketing firm specializing in attorneys and other professionals. From 1985 to 1993, Dustin’s company served law firms across Florida, receiving numerous awards for marketing and public interest programs. Concurrently, from 1990 to 1993, Dustin also helped launch RUMGER Insurance Company, a Florida lawyer’s professional liability insurance provider, and served as its Vice President of Marketing, gaining the startup company a 20% market penetration in four years. Dustin transitioned into law firm coaching and training in 1993 as a partner in a fledgling attorney training and development organization, leading it to national prominence. As the company’s primary trainer and workshop leader, he conducted more than 200 workshops and firm retreats in 18 states. As a practice adviser he worked personally with hundreds of firms and attorneys to help them expand their practices, or deal with specific developmental issues. In 2002 Dustin founded Attorneys Master Class to provide structured, long-term support to help firms achieve greater success. He has helped firms cope with market change, partner disputes, mergers and breakups, has guided practice groups through successful marketing planning and execution, and has advised attorneys in planning successful retirements and firm successions. Through Attorneys Master Class, Dustin has supported firms ranging in size from sole practitioner to over 2000 attorneys. Dustin has keynoted a score of State Bar Annual Meetings and as many state Solo & Small Firm Conferences, and has presented programs and workshops for legal organizations nationwide, from ABA Sections to State Bars in more than 25 states. He is currently working with clients in all four corners of the United States, from Massachusetts to California, Alaska to the Virgin Islands. Dustin resides in suburban Orlando, Florida. He is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and holds a degree in Radio-Television from Arizona State University.

JAMES T. COOK

Counties of Jackson, Clay and Platte.  AAML:  Member of National Admissions Procedures Committee, Chair, Missouri Chapter, CLE Committee.  Previous Position: Immed. Past President, Missouri Chapter.  Member:  Missouri Bar, Eastern Jackson County Bar.  Current Positions:  Member, Supreme Court Child Support Review Committee, 1994-97, Chair, Family Law Section, 1994 -.  Previous Positions:  Member, Board of Governors, Missouri Bar, 1989-90.  CLE Participation:  Speaker, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Assn., 1997; Speaker, MO Bar CLE Family Law Institute, 1995-97; Judicial Conference, 2000, regarding tax aspects of dissolution of marriage.  Member:  Special Committee on Rules of Professional Conduct, MO Bar 2001.

KEITH CUTLER

Mr. Keith Cutler is a partner in the law firm of James W. Tippin & Associates in Kansas City, practicing in the areas of insurance defense litigation and small business representation. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and his J.D. degree from UMKC in 1989. He is an Assistant Editor of The Missouri Bar's Courts Bulletin, has been published in the Journal of The Missouri Bar, and has authored and reviewed several chapters of The Missouri Bar CLE Deskbooks. Mr. Cutler is a 1999 recipient of the Lon Hocker Memorial Trial Award from The Missouri Bar, a past President of the Jackson County Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Section of the KCMBA, and was named one of The Daily Record’s 2005 Legal Leaders of the Year. Currently, he serves as a member of the Missouri Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee, and The Missouri Bar Legal Education Committee.

EVE DAKE

Eve Dake graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1987, and has been in private practice exclusively since that time. Her practice is devoted to disability benefits representation, including Social Security disability and long term disability claims. She is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, and was a speaker at the NOSSCR national conference held in Saint Louis in October, 2007. She also presented the Social Security Disability Law for the Solo and Small Firm Lawyer program at the SASF’s June, 2008, conference.

HENRY DEWOSKIN

Henry M. DeWoskin is a partner at the law firm of Alan E. DeWoskin, P.C. in St. Louis, Missouri.  His practice consists of family law, military law, wills, estate planning, probate, social security and general civil litigation.  Henry is admitted to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Federal District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.  Henry is a member of the American Bar Association, the Missouri Bar, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.  He holds multiple leadership positions in the Section of Family Law, General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division and the Young Lawyers’ Division of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.  Currently, he serves on the ABA Section of Family Law Council, is the ABA Young Lawyers Division Liaison to the Section of Family Law and is a member-at-large of the Board of Governors for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.  Further, Henry has taught seminars for the Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Illinois State Bar Association and the U.S. Army Reserve on topics including Divorce, Paternity and the Military, Military and Family Law, Military Support and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.  He is a Major in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the United States Army Reserve.  Henry received his B.A. from Bucknell University in 1992 and his J.D. from Temple University in 1996. 

JOSEPH DEWOSKIN

Mr. Joseph (Joe) A. DeWoskin is a partner at the law firm of Waits, Brownlee, Berger & DeWoskin, in Kansas City, Missouri. He practices in the area of family law, military law, debt collection, personal injury, Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and general civil litigation. Mr. DeWoskin is admitted to practice law in Missouri, Kansas, the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Federal District Court, Western District of Missouri, U.S. Federal District Court of Kansas, United States Army Criminal Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Joe is a member of the American Bar Association (General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division and Family Law Section), The Missouri Bar, the Kansas Bar, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Johnson County (KS) Bar Association. Joe holds multiple leadership positions in the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division (GP/SOLO) of the American Bar Association. He currently serves on the ABA Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law and serves as the liaison from GP/SOLO to the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Discipline. Further Joe has taught seminars for the Creditors Rights and Asset Protection Group and the United States Army Reserve on topics including Family Law Issues, Creditor and Debtor Rights Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. He has also been retained as an expert and has testified as an expert in cases involving military retirement, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act issues, and rights under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act. Mr. DeWoskin is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the United States Army Reserve. He received his B.A. from Washington & Jefferson College in 1988 and his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1991.

DR. DIANE ELLIS

Diane M. Ellis, Psy.D., MBA, has more than 20 years experience in the legal field, including ten years as Director of the Law Office Management Assistance Program of the State Bar of Arizona. For three of her ten years with the State Bar of Arizona, Diane also was Director of the Member Assistance Program, which provides services to attorneys dealing with substance misuse or mental health issues. She served for three years as co-chair of the Practice Management Advisors Committee of the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Section. Diane relocated to Springfield in 2003 and formed Ellis Management Consulting to provide management consultation to lawyers in Missouri and surrounding states. Diane completed a Master of Business Administration – Management degree from Western International University in Phoenix. She earned a Master of Arts in Psychology degree, Summa Cum Laude, and a Doctor of Psychology degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield. Diane is a Licensed Psychologist and is employed as Staff Psychologist at the Robert J. Murney Clinic at Forest Institute in Springfield. She also is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She holds certificates as a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional. Diane completed 40 hours of Civil and Family Mediation Training through The Washington University School of Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Program in collaboration with Missouri State University Center for Dispute Resolution.

THOMAS C. FARNAM

Tom Farnam heads The Farnam Law Firm, dealing exclusively with employee benefit matters since 1984, primarily for employers. Speaker and author on employee benefits topics for many professional groups, including numerous ALI-ABA courses. Founded BAMSL Employee Benefits Section; member IRS D Letter Liaison Group; ABA Tax Section; Director of The Small Business Council of America. BA Butler University; JD Indiana University; and LLM (Taxation) Georgetown University.

CYNTHIA FOX

Cynthia Moseley Fox (née Smyrniotis), the principal of Fox Family Lawyers, has been in private practice and a self-employed attorney since 1976. Her primary area of practice is family law-the traditional practice of, as well as mediation. She has had a weekly newspaper column “Fox Family Files” since 2/05. Originator of the ConstructiveDivorce®, member of BAMSL, past 2 year co-chairman of the BAMSL Family & Juvenile Law Committee; chairman – subcommittee to formulate joint custody legislation for the state of Missouri. Former Asst. Prosecuting Attorney of St. Louis County, formerly in house-counsel at Kellwood Company. Washington University School of Law (1973), admitted to the Missouri Bar 1973. Her office is located at 10 South Brentwood Blvd., Suite 412 in Clayton, MO;  314/727-4880;  cfox@foxfamilylawyers.com.

RUSSELL A. FRACASSA

Mr. Russell A. Fracassa graduated with a BS in Accounting from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri and his JD from University of Missouri at Kansas City. He has worked as an accountant, tax attorney and estate planning attorney for more than 20 years. He is a principal in the Elder Law & Special Needs Firm of McCormick & Fracassa, P.C., as well as a frequent speaker in the areas of estate planning, probate and elder law for local, regional and national sponsors. He and his law partner, Mary R. McCormick authored the Thomson West Missouri Practice Series volume on Elder Law. Russell has been an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Missouri Chapter since 1999. He is also an active member of the Missouri Bar’s Elder Law and Probate and Trust Law Committees, Eastern Jackson County Bar Association, Independence, Missouri and Clay County Bar Association, Liberty, Missouri and State Advisory Council for Elder Counsel. Russell is a member of the Board of Directors for Home Care Research and Education Foundation (a part of the Missouri Alliance for Home Care) and I-Share of the Community Service League in Independence, Missouri.

ALAN B. GALLAS

Alan Gallas has been associated with credit and collections for his entire legal career which currently spans twenty eight years. He graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1975, and his Juris Doctorate in 1978. He was an associate and then partner at one of Kansas City’s most respected collection law firms prior to opening his own office in 1987. In May, 1992, he and Mark Schultz formed the firm of Gallas & Schultz. From its inception, the firm has concentrated in pursuing collections, both in bankruptcy and civil lawsuits. The firm also enjoys a broad commercial litigation practice including employment, contract, corporate and partnership litigation.

 Mr. Gallas served three terms as Chairman of the Civil Practice and Procedure Committee of The Missouri Bar and two terms as Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Committee of The Missouri Bar He has previously chaired the Commercial/Bankruptcy section of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Associate Division section of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. Mr. Gallas is also a past president of the Credit Association of Kansas City Missouri, and has served numerous two year appointments on its Board. He is a past director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Midwest, and served as its legal counsel for many years. He is a director of The Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation and serves as a Governor of The Missouri Bar.

 In 1992, Mr. Gallas was appointed by the County Executive of Jackson County, Missouri to serve as a Director of the Industrial Development Authority of Jackson County, where he still serves. Mr. Gallas has also served as a member of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Advisory Committee and is currently a member of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Associate Division Committee, having been appointed to consecutive terms by the last nine presiding judges of Jackson County, Missouri. Mr. Gallas received the President’s Award of The Missouri Bar in 2000 for service to the Bar and was appointed by Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice William Ray Price to serve as a member of The Supreme Court Civil Jury Study Commission. In 2001, Mr. Gallas was selected for inclusion in “Best Lawyers’ Consumer Guide” published by “The Best Lawyers in America”. The Missouri Bar Foundation bestowed the Purcell Professionalism Award on Mr. Gallas is 2002. Mr. Gallas has served as chair of two special committees of The Missouri Bar at the request of its president: Annual Meeting Review and Planning Committee; and the Special Committee on Unbundled Legal Services. Mr. Gallas received the Law Foundation Service Award from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2006.

 Mr. Gallas is a frequent lecturer to state and local bar associations and trade organizations on the subject of collections and bankruptcy, including the areas of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, foreclosures, mechanic’s liens and non-dischargeability cases. He authored the chapter entitled “Collecting Judgments”, in the Kansas City Court Handbook and is the Editor for the Missouri Bar Publication entitled Evidence Handbook.

 Mr. Gallas is licensed to practice law in the States of Missouri and Kansas; the Federal District and Bankruptcy Courts in Missouri and Kansas; the Federal Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; and, the Federal Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

R. SCOTT GARDNER

Mr. R. Scott Gardner is a partner in the Sedalia, Missouri firm of Gardner, Gardner & Gardner, LLP. He is a member of the Missouri, American, Pettis County (President, 1992-93), U.S. Western District of Missouri and Kansas City Metropolitan bar associations. He graduated from Missouri University with a B.S. degree in Banking and Finance in 1980, and from Vanderbilt University with a J.D. degree in 1983. He served as City Counselor, Sedalia, Missouri, 1985-1992; and presently serves as City Attorney for Green Ridge, Missouri, (1991-present). He is a member of the Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association. He also serves as a director for Sedalia School District 200. Approximately 2/3 of Scott’s practice is in either probate or estate planning.

 

STEVE GARNER

 

Steve Garner has been a shareholder of Strong-Garner-Bauer, P.C. since 1990. Since joining the firm in 1986, Steve has tried personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, insurance bad faith, and commercial suits on behalf of injured parties and currently maintains an active trial practice in Greene County.

Steve received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in 1983. He graduated No. 1 in his class from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1986.

Steve has served the local bar and legal profession in various ways: 

1)         For 6 years, Steve served as one of the 3 elected lawyers on the Appellate Judicial Commission.  This Commission selects the Appellate and Supreme Court judicial panels submitted to the governor;

2)         He served as President of the SMBA for 2007 and has been on the SMBA Board of Directors and the Bar Foundation Board of Directors for a number of years;

3)         He is currently on the Executive Committee of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and has served on the MATA Board of Governors for over 18 years;

4)         Steve currently serves on the CASA Board of Directors.

Steve’s honors and awards include:  Number One Graduate, University of Arkansas Law School, 1986; Recipient, Oral Advocacy Award, 1986; Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2003 to present; Lon O. Hocker Award - Missouri Bar Foundation, 1996; in 2007, he was voted ABest Litigator@ in the State, Missouri Lawyers Weekly; in 2008, he was voted ABest Lawyer To Call (in Missouri) If You Are In an Accident@ and the #2 ABest Litigator@ in the State, Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Steve is married to his wife, Stacy, and they have two beautiful children, Morgan and Brett.

CHARLES L. GOOCH

Bachelor of Journalism, University of Missouri, 1982

Juris Doctorate, University of Missouri, Kansas City 1988

Employed as Managing Counsel with the Transportation Section, General Counsel’s Office, Missouri Department of Revenue, since May, 2006; and with the Department since April, 1993, serving as a hearing officer and trial attorney.  Is currently a member of the Missouri Impaired Driving Subcommittee and Department Project Manager for the Federal Impaired Driving Incentive Grant program, with funding provided through the Missouri Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Division.  He has completed the Robert F. Borkenstein Course on Alcohol, Drugs and Highway Safety, University of Indiana, at Bloomington, and has been a long-time member of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), regularly attending and contributing to its annual Law Institute.  He has also served with the AAMVA International Board of Directors, 2007, and is a member of the 2008 International Registration Plan, Inc. (IRP, Inc.), Dispute Resolution Committee, and the AAMVA Legal Services Committee.  He has completed training programs on Administrative Law for Regulatory Agencies, and Commercial Driver’s Licensing Laws, sponsored by the National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada.  He has been featured as a speaker at a number of educational conferences sponsored by the Missouri Bar Association and other organizations, including the Missouri Police Chiefs Association; Missouri Municipal & Associate Circuit Judges Association (MMACJA); Missouri Association for Court Administration (MACA); Missouri Association of Drug Court Professionals (MADCP); and the 2008 Judicial College fall training sessions, sponsored by the Office of State Courts Administrator.  He is a member of the Missouri Bar, and a past member of the American Bar Association, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and Association of Trial Lawyers of America.  He has lived in Columbia, Missouri for the past twenty years, with his wife Trina, and two daughters. 

LANETTE GOOCH

Ms. Gooch is a trial lawyer employed with the law firm of Newman, Comley & Ruth, P.C. in Jefferson City, Missouri. As a 1998 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, Ms. Gooch was admitted in 1998 to the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri. Ms. Gooch’s law practice is devoted primarily to civil litigation with an emphasis on insurance defense, direct representation of insurance companies, personal injury law and administrative law.  Ms. Gooch currently serves as outside litigation counsel to a health related State Board which utilizes the Administrative Hearing Commission (“AHC”) in prosecuting disciplinary cases filed against its licensees and permit holders.  Ms. Gooch also has experience practicing before the AHC on behalf of clients involved in franchise disputes and attempted franchise terminations.

GENE GRAHAM

Gene Graham is a partner is the Independence, Missouri, Firm of White, Graham, Buckley and Carr, LLC.  Mr. Graham graduated from UMKC School of law in 1984 and has practiced exclusively in a civil trial practice in the intervening years.  From 1984 through 1990, Mr. Graham was a partner with his father in the firm of Graham and Graham.  He joined the firm of White, Allinder & Grate, in 1990.  Mr. Graham is a former president of the Eastern Jackson County Bar Association and is currently on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).  Mr. Graham served two terms on the Board of Directors for the KCMBA and was also formerly, on the Board of Governors with MATA.  Mr. Graham married Lori in 1990 and his proudest accomplishments are his three children, Patrick, Lindsey and Jack.  Mr. Graham resides in Lee Summit, Missouri.  Mr. Graham specializes in consumer fraud issues, labor and employment and personal injury law.

JANICE HARDER

Ms. Janice A. Harder is an attorney in Columbia practicing primarily in consumer bankruptcy and debtor representation, and is also a panel member chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee for the Western District of Missouri.  She received a B. S. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1970, an M. S. from the State University of New York-New Paltz in 1973, and a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1985.  She is a member of the Boone County Bar Association, the Missouri Bar, and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.

KATHLEEN HARVERY

Ms. Kathleen Anne Harvey is a solo practitioner specializing in Immigration and Naturalization law in Overland Park, Kansas. She has written and lectured on Immigration Law issues for family, corporate, juvenile, and criminal defense attorneys and legal assistants in multiple continuing education venues. A brief summary of publications and CLE presentations follows. 

 As a 1992 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Ms. Harvey’s law school honors include graduation “With Distinction,” Dean’s Honor Roll, several scholarships, Moot Court, International Law Moot Court, and UMKC Law Review Managing Editor. Her undergraduate degree is in Human Resources Management (Personnel) from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas.

 Ms. Harvey’s practice focuses on business nonimmigrant and immigrant issues, undocumented juveniles in foster care, international adoption, family member immigration, and political asylum issues for clients throughout the United States. Ms. Harvey is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Missouri and Kansas Bar Associations, the Kansas Women Attorneys Association, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Christian Legal Society. 

JEFF HAVENS

With the invention of the award-winning Uncrapify Your Life! series of keynote speeches, Jeff Havens has turned the entire professional speaking world on its head.  By encouraging his audiences to do the opposite of everything he recommends, Jeff offers a motivational address utterly unlike anything corporate America has ever seen, one that is guaranteed to leave the members of your group refreshed, surprised, and begging for more.

 

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jeff began his career as a high school English teacher before following his father Rex Havens (www.rexhavens.com) into the world of stand-up comedy, where he worked with some of the brightest lights in American comedy and honed the art of engaging audiences through laughter.  But his impulse to teach never faded, and soon he began looking for an avenue to combine both of his passions into a single, cohesive presentation.

 

The result is Uncrapify Your Life!, and in the two years since its introduction Jeff has brought his unique, side-splitting, message-based keynote addresses to General Electric, McDonald’s, Ford Motor Company, USBank, Frito-Lay, and over a hundred other corporations in the U.S. and Canada.  Original, informative, hilarious and powerful, Jeff’s speeches have transformed the way businesspeople approach the idea of personal and professional growth.  In the words of one conference attendee, “I laughed until I had tears in my eyes – and walked away feeling better about work than I have in years.  The reverse psychology is a great way to get the point across, and he does a wonderful job of it.”

 

ANNETTE P SEIGEL HELLER

Ms. Annette P. Heller has practiced in the area of Trademark and Copyright Law for over 28 years. Prior to going into private practice in 1983, she was Trademark/Copyright Counsel for Ralston Purina Company. Besides representing individuals, she also represents many small and medium size businesses in the St. Louis area and in other parts of the country including California, Florida, Colorado and Illinois. In addition to directly representing small and medium size business, she represents business clients from many law firms that do not have the infrastructure to support trademark departments of their own. She is also a frequent speaker on trademark and copyright issues. In addition, Ms. Heller was a member of the Missouri Board of Governors from 1993-99 and is Chair of the Missouri Bar Patent, Trademark & Copyright Committee.

For more information, see her web page at www.trademarkatty.com

PAUL G. HENRY

Paul Henry received his undergraduate degree 1987 from Southwest Missouri State University where he graduated cum laude and his law degree in 1990 from Washington University, St. Louis.

Paul is a highly active member of the Missouri Bar. He currently is a member of the Board of Governors.  His efforts on behalf of the Bar were recognized when he was awarded the Distinctive Service Award by the Solo and Small Firm Committee of the Missouri Bar. He has served on several committees for the Missouri Bar, including the Paralegal Committee, the Solo and Small Firm Committee and the Committee on Condemnation. Mr. Henry was an Associate Editor of the Washington University Law Quarterly and is the co-author of numerous publications on eminent domain law, including: Trial of Exceptions in Missouri Condemnation Cases, St. Louis Bar Journal (Spring 2007); Inverse Condemnation: Airplane Noise and Damages," The Southwestern Legal Foundation, 1995; and two chapters in the Missouri Condemnation Practice Handbook (Third Edition, 2002 Supp.), co-authoring chapters on Inverse Condemnation and Taxation. He is a former Editor of the American Bar Association Committee on Condemnation Newsletter. Mr. Henry is a frequent speaker on issues pertaining to eminent domain law. Another interest of Mr. Henry is the use technology in the practice of law. He has held the position of Chair of the Missouri Bar Committee on Technology and Computer Law.

MATTHEW HOMANN

Matthew Homann is the founder of LexThink LLC, a legal innovation consultancy.  He's also the author of the [non]billable hour blog, where he shares innovative billing strategies, creative marketing techniques, proven customer-service principles, and cutting-edge ideas from other industries and professions with lawyers to help them tap into their own creative reserves and make dramatic improvements in their businesses and their lives.  He lives in St. Louis with his daughter Grace.

DALE IRWIN

Mr. Dale Irwin is a partner in the firm of Slough Connealy Irwin & Madden, LLC in Kansas City. His practice is devoted primarily to consumer protection law, including consumer class actions. He received both his undergraduate degree in political science and his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1973. He is also a founding member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates, a nationwide group of attorneys dedicated to the practice of consumer protection law.

 

CHARLES JOHNSON

Mr. Chuck Johnson is a solo practitioner with an office in Osage Beach. He represents primarily consumer and small business debtors in Chapter 7 and 13 matters. He graduated from Drury College in 1968 and received his law degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1973. He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Chuck formally was a member of the Ad hoc Advisory Committee for the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri.

JEFFREY R. KAYS

Jeff was born in Sullivan, Missouri and grew up in South St. Louis County.  Jeff attended high school at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri.  Jeff spent three years enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician and two years in the Missouri Air National Guard.

Jeff earned his bachelors degree in business administration from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri in 1995.  Jeff earned his Juris Doctorate from University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law in 1998.

While in Law School, Jeff clerked for the Leawood, Kansas law firm of Cohen, McNiele and Pappas, PC.  After law school Jeff has worked for The Copeland Law Firm in Columbia, Missouri and Inglish & Monaco, PC in Jefferson City, Missouri as well as his own private practice since 1999.

Jeff is a Past Post Commander and Past Adjutant of Hartsburg American Legion Post 424.   Jeff is a founding member of the Hartsburg Athletic Club, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to youth sports.  Jeff has also served as a Councilman for the Village of Hartsburg, Secretary for the Hartsburg Planning and Zoning Committee and President of the Peace United Church of Christ in Hartsburg, Missouri.

CHRIS KELLEHER

As founder and president of The Law Firm For Businesses, PC, Chris Kelleher serves as general counsel to businesses by providing a unique blend of down-to-earth business and legal advice, creative problem solving, and cutting-edge success tools and techniques. In recognition of his many contributions to the business community, Kelleher was named Small Business Lawyer of the Year in 2003 by The United States Small Business Administration (St. Louis District). He also served as a director on the West County Advisory Board for US Bank in St. Louis.

Kelleher was asked to write a monthly column on Legal Matters for Entrepreneur Magazine’s internationally-renowned website, Entrepreneur.com. In addition, Kelleher has been published, quoted or profiled in a variety of publications including: Nation’s Business magazine; The CPA Journal; Supervision magazine; The Journal of the College and University Personnel Association; The Journal of Property Management; Self-Employed America; The Kansas City Business Journal; The St. Louis Business Journal; among others.

Praised in the media for his “high energy level and a great sense of humor,” Kelleher has appeared on KSDK-TV (NBC affiliate), the Higher Education Channel, Entrepreneur.com and SBTV.com and has been asked to speak before a wide range of groups including: The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO); The International Association of Business Communicators; The Missouri Bar; The American Institute Of Banking; The United States Army; The Community Service Public Relations Council; among others.

Kelleher earned a B.A. in Communications (summa cum laude) and a joint JD/MBA degree (with honors) from Saint Louis University where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

JOHN LANDWEHR

John Landwehr received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and graduated from the UMC Law School in 1981.  He was an Assistant Attorney General for three years under John Ashcroft, representing various state agencies including the Missouri Real Estate Commission.  In 1984 he joined the firm where he is now a partner, Cook, Vetter, Doerhoff & Landwehr.  His practice areas include real estate, commercial law and estate planning.

 

THOMAS M. LANG

Mr. Tom Lang has been a member of the Board of Governors since 1992. Served as Vice President (2002); Finance Committee 1997 to 2002; Chairman Finance Committee 1999 to 2002; Executive Committee 1996 to 1997; Chaired the Redistricting Committee 1992 to 1994; and served on numerous committees and task forces. Bachelor’s degree Business Administration, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas (1968); J.D. St. Louis University School of Law (1971). Admitted to practice in Missouri/Illinois in 1971 and has continuously maintained an office in St. Louis County. Past President St. Louis County Bar Association. Received The Missouri Bar Foundation Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award; St. Louis County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award and Outstanding Young Lawyer Award; Metropolitan Bar Association’s President’s Award; Outstanding Leadership Service Award from St. Louis University School of Law; Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s Equal Justice Award; served as an adjunct professor in clinical trial practice, St. Louis University School of Law; a founder of “The Justice For All Ball”’; and certified mediator and arbitrator. Tom and his wife, Jill, have 5 children and 5 grandchildren.

BETH LEWANDOWSKI

Beth Lewandowski joined the law office of Marta J. Papa, P.C. as a litigation associate and mediator, focusing her practice on family law.  She received her BA in political science from the University of Missouri at St. Louis, and her JD degree from St. Louis University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Missouri and is an experienced litigator and negotiator.

She is a member of the Missouri Bar Association and the Association of Missouri Mediators, and participates on the ADR and Solo and Small Firm Committees of the Missouri Bar. She has received her certification as a Guardian Ad Litem and serves as a GAL on domestic relations cases involving custody disputes. She has extensive experience planning Continuing Education classes for attorneys and mental health professionals, and is the editor of the Spring edition of the newsletter of the Family Law Section of the Missouri Bar. In addition to practicing law, she is president of Civil Litigator, Inc., which provides an online database of civil jury trials for a three state area, weekly newsletters, and special research for the Midwest legal community.

HON. GARY LYNCH

Gary W. Lynch graduated with honors from Southwest Baptist University and then from the University of Missouri—Columbia Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review.  He returned to his hometown of Bolivar where he spent 26 years in private law practice before being elected and serving as Associate Circuit Judge of Polk County for three years.  He was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, in January 2006, and elected Chief Judge in July 2007.  He and his wife Dana have been married 34 years; they have two adult sons.

REBECCA MAGRUDER

With an M.S.W. specializing in family therapy and a J.D. focusing on conflict resolution, Rebecca Magruder, who is a sole practitioner in St. Charles County, is uniquely qualified to mediate and collaborate in family disputes.  Her extensive training of more than 800 hours in mediation and collaborative processes as well as her experience in mediating nearly 1000 cases enables her to help people think “out of the box” to customize solutions for their special needs.  Rebecca teaches mediation and conflict resolution across the country and is an adjunct assistant professor at St. Louis University School of Law where she teaches mediation.

NALINI MAHADEVAN

Nalini S. Mahadevan is a member of Mahadevan Law Office, LLC.  She has been in practice since 2003.   Nalini has an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Masters in Law from the University of Bombay, India.  She practiced as a corporate lawyer in India for five years before relocating to the United States and earning her Masters in Business Administration from Washington University.  Nalini earned her JD from St. Louis University of Law.  She specializes in immigration, estate planning and business, with a special emphasis serving the immigrant community.  Nalini is a member of Immigration Committees of Missouri Bar, and Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.  She chaired the CLE committee of the Immigration Committee of the Missouri Bar and organized CLEs for the St. Louis subchapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.  She advises SAWERAA, a nonprofit that protects immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence and organizes a free legal clinic for her Temple.  Nalini is a member of the Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning Committee, and has presented as a speaker for the Missouri Bar and St. Louis University School of Law, St. Louis.

JAMES MANNING

Mr. James Manning attended Rockhurst University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.  After law school, he served as an associate at Franke, Schultz and Mullen, PC for two years. He gained hands on litigation experience by preparing numerous civil cases for trial and by researching a variety of insurance coverage related matters. Mr. Manning started his own law firm in April of 2008 in Kansas City, Missouri. His firm focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury and insurance coverage related matters.  The firm also prosecutes consumer protection related claims and represents criminal defendants in matters ranging from traffic citations to felony charges.  Recently, the firm expanded to open a second office in Harrisonville, Missouri where the office of newly elected Cass Country Circuit Court Judge R. Michael Wagner previously was.  Mr. Manning is married and has two children.

MARY LOU MARTIN

Mary Lou Martinis a sole practitioner in Springfield where she practices in the areas of general civil law practice, family law, adoption, elder law, immigration law, estate planning and estate administration, wills, trusts, and probate law, including guardianship/conservatorship estates. She enjoys serving as Guardian ad Litem for children in domestic relations cases. Mary Lou earned two Associate of Science degrees, one in General Science and one in Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting.  She earned her Bachelor of Science - Education degree from Ferris State College, her Master of Science - Education degree from Pittsburgh State University, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.  Mary Lou is certified in mediation and arbitration, having received training in Missouri and Washington, D. C., as well as through Missouri Bar programs. 

Mary Lou has worked with Solicitors and Barristers in Great Britain, as well as attorneys in other countries.  Mary Lou enjoys making presentations on behalf of the Missouri Bar, professional organizations, and various charitable organizations.  In January, 2005, Mary Lou was a presenter at an International Lawyers Conference, which was held in Kitzbuehel, Austria. 

Mary Lou is a member of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.  She has memberships in the Missouri Bar, the Missouri Bar - Family Law Section, Immigration Law Committee, and Legislative Review Committee. She serves as the Chair of the Missouri Bar’s Solo/Small Firm Practice Committee.  In June, 2005, Mary Lou attended the Indiana Solo/Small Firm Conference as Missouri’s Solo/Small Firm Committee Exchange Delegate. She has been a reviewing writer for Missouri Bar Deskbooks on elder law.  She is also a member of the Greene County Estate Planning Council and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.  She is a member of the First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

Mary Lou is a member of Rotary Club International - Springfield Southeast Club and especially enjoys working with the Springfield Rotary Group Study Exchange Programs.  Having attended the 2004 Rotary International Convention in Brisbane, Australia, Mary Lou enjoyed a wonderful opportunity to meet Rotarians from all parts of the world.  While in Brisbane, she had the opportunity to visit a family law court, as well as to observe portions of a civil jury trial. 

As traveling, golfing and fund-raising are her primary hobbies, Mary Lou was privileged to be a delegate of a People - to - People International Law Delegation to China in 2001.  She has traveled to Ireland and has had the opportunity to meet and discuss family law theories and issues with the Dean of the Law School at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.  She travels to her home State of Michigan to spend time with family members, and travels across the United States boarder into Canada. Mary Lou enjoys actively participating in fund-raising events for various charitable organizations.

JOSHUA MATHEWS

Mr. Joshua Mathews was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and incorporated his first business one week after his eighteenth birthday.  After attending college in Columbia, Joshua began working in sales in the travel industry, stationed for extended periods in Cancun, Acapulco, and Mazatlan, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; and Negril, Jamaica, eventually becoming Vice President of an International Travel Operator.  Eventually, Joshua decided to leave the travel industry and pursue a legal career.  He has never looked back.

Joshua attended the University of Missouri - Columbia, B.S., Bright Flight Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, University of Missouri - Kansas City, J.D., Masters in Tax Law Candidate.  Member of National ABA Appellate Advocacy Team, National ABA Negotiations Team, National ABA Client Counseling Team, and National Trial Advocacy Team.

He is a member of The Missouri Bar, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and The American Intellectual Property Law Association.

SPENCER MCILVAINE

Spencer McIlvaine is the owner of the McIlvaine Law Firm, LLC and has practiced exclusively in intellectual property law since 2003.  Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Webster University.  His practice is located in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

DANA MCWAY

Ms. McWay is the Clerk of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. She is an honors graduate of St. Louis University and St. Louis University Law School. She served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Myron H. Bright, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and worked in private practice before becoming a court administrator. She is an award-winning author of a college textbook, has published articles and made numerous presentations across the United States.

 

LINCOLN MEAD

 

PAUL MELLOR

Paul Mellor is president of Success Links, a memory training company dedicated to helping people improve their lives by improving their memory power. He presents continuing education seminars for attorneys, police officers, and other professional groups. A finalist in the 2008 USA Memory Championship, he offers valuable systems and solutions on how to strengthen memory. Paul presents seminars throughout the United States, has written extensively on memory improvement and has been featured and quoted in several media, including, Newsweek, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

 

ANN LITTELL MILLS

Ms. Ann Littell Mills is a partner in the law firm of Courtney & Mills, LLC located in Springfield, MO. She practices in the areas of personal injury, worker’s compensation, and general litigation. In 1994, Ann graduated magna cum laude from Central Missouri State University with a B.S. in History. She then attended the University of Nebraska College of Law where she was a member of the school’s National Moot Court Team and graduated in 1997 with distinction. Ann has taught legal courses at various colleges in Springfield and at legal seminars. In 2007, she received the Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer Award from the Missouri Bar Foundation

TIMOTHY W. MONSEES

Tim Monsees is a shareholder and director with the firm of Monsees, Miller, Mayer, Presley & Amick, P.C.  He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1981.  He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Kansas and Texas.  Mr. Monsees restricts his practice to representation of injured parties in litigation of product liability, construction & industrial accidents, insurance litigation and medical malpractice.  Mr. Monsees’ firm has received national recognition for litigation related to injuries from defective sporting equipment and from defective firearms.  Mr. Monsees has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his personal injury practice.  He is vice-president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation and serves on numerous Bar committees.  In 2006, Mr. Monsees received the Missouri Bar’s annual Pro Bono Award, in recognition of outstanding voluntary service.   Monsees, Miller, Mayer, Presley & Amick, P.C. has offices in Kansas City and Springfield.

MARK D. MURPHY

Mark D. Murphy formed The Murphy Law Firm in 1995 after 10 years with a downtown Kansas City, Missouri law firm.  He obtained his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, with distinction, where he was a member and business editor of the Law Review.  He obtained his B.S. in Business, with an emphasis on finance, from Truman State University.  Mr. Murphy’s practice areas include construction disputes, commercial and business law disputes, business law and transactions, and real estate transactions.  He is licensed in the states of Missouri and Kansas, United States District Courts in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Michigan, the 6^th, 8^th and 10^th United States Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.  Recent Publications include Securities Law Aspects of Corporate Reorganizations, Missouri Business Transactions, MoBarCLE Publications 2005; and Easements and Party Walls, 2006 Cumulative Supplement, Missouri Real Estate Practice, MoBarCLE Publications 2006.  Mark and his wife Susan have twin sons and reside in Overland Park, Kansas.  Mark enjoys coaching his sons in basketball, racquetball (and is a sponsored player by E-Force), golf and reading.

 

GRETCHEN MYERS

Ms. Gretchen Myers has been recognized by her peers as one of the top trial lawyers on both a State and National level.  She is the recipient of two top trial advocacy awards in this state: the Lon O. Hocker Award from The Missouri Bar and is the youngest recipient of the prestigious Honorary Order of the Barristers Award from the University of Missouri. Both awards were given for her outstanding trial work and trial excellence. She has tried cases and made numerous appearances in courts throughout the State of Missouri. She has appeared before the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Missouri Supreme Court, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is the first recipient of the "Daily Record Justice Award" given for significant contribution to her area of expertise and her positive impact on the community. She is a frequent lecturer on civil trial techniques and advocacy skills throughout Missouri and nationwide.

 

 She is past president of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (the first woman to have been elected to that post) and a past President of the Women Lawyers' Association of Greater St. Louis. She is an instructor for the Missouri Judicial Trial College, selected by Missouri judges to teach them about trial techniques and civil jury instructions. Some of her past accomplishments include, being appointed to the Missouri Civil Instructions Committee (MAl) by the Missouri Supreme Court, to be the Chair of the Tort Law Committee by several Presidents of the Missouri Bar, and to serve several terms on the Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority by Governor Mel Carnahan. Gretchen practices law in St. Louis at The Law Offices of Gretchen Myers, P.C. as a solo practitioner where she concentrates her work in the areas of catastrophic trucking accident cases, medical negligence, products liability, wrongful death, sexual harassment, and general personal injury law. She has garnered some of the largest verdicts and settlements in the state of Missouri

 

TRAVIS NOBLE

Mr. Travis L. Noble, Jr. is a principle in the law firm of Sindel, Sindel & Noble, P.C. Mr. Noble graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, Maine State Police Canine Academy and the Drug Enforcement Administration Basic Agent Academy. He received his B.S. from the University of Maine and J.D. from St. Louis University. Before attending law school he was employed as a police officer from 1985 until 1990 and a narcotics agent from 1990 until 1995. Mr. Noble has been a lecturer for The Missouri Bar, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, New Hampshire Bar, Kentucky Prosecutors Association, Missouri Public Defenders and numerous Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies in the areas of DWI Investigation and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. He concentrates his practice in the area of State and Federal DWI and Narcotics crimes. He is a member of The Missouri Bar, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the National College for DUI Defense and is on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He has extensive trial experience representing clients throughout the United States.

MARTA PAPA

Marta received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston and obtained a post-graduate certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy Training from the prestigious Menninger Psychiatric Institute. She has extensive training in negotiation and divorce mediation, and is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution, the Association of Missouri Mediators, the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, and the Collaborative Family Law Association. Marta has taught Mediation, Dissolution of Marriage and Civil Litigation at Webster University and St. Louis Community College and is currently adjunct faculty at St. Louis University in the Graduate School of Social Work. She also conducts family law mediation training seminars for lawyers, judges, and mental health professionals, as well as seminars for individuals considering divorce. Marta has published numerous articles on family law and mediation, and as a regular guest speaker at conferences, on television and on radio programs, Marta has helped establish mediation and collaborative law as an alternative to divorce litigation in the St. Louis area.? Marta was recently elected to ?The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers? by Martindale-Hubbell and her peers. The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register is limited to only the most distinguished law practices; those that have achieved the AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.? The ?A? signifies the highest level of legal ability, while the ?V? denotes ?very high? adherence to the professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence.

HON. JOHN PARRISH

Judge John Parrish is a judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District. He served as chief judge of that court for a two-year term that commenced July 1, 1992. He has been a member of that court since 1990. Before he became a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Judge Parrish was a circuit judge in the 26^th Judicial Circuit of Missouri. Prior to becoming a circuit judge he practiced law in Camdenton, Missouri, as a member of the firm of Phillips and Parrish (now Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter and Welch). He also served as Prosecuting Attorney of Camden County from 1969 to 1973. He is a past president of the Missouri Council of Juvenile Court Judges and a former member of the Board of Trustees of the National Juvenile Court Foundation. Judge Parrish served as a member of the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners of Missouri and as a member of the Missouri State Judicial Records Committee for more than 20 years. He was a member of the Missouri Children’s Services Commission from 1983 to 1990 and is presently a member of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. Judge Parrish received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1962 and a J.D. degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, School of Law in 1965. He served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 attaining the rank of captain.

MARK PARRISH

Mr. Mark E. Parrish practices in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and is of counsel with the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm where he practices in the areas of product liability, personal injury and commercial and insurance litigation involving cases and clients throughout the United States. He is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan and Eastern Jackson County bar associations; The Missouri Bar; the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (member, Board of Governors); the Kansas Association for Justice; Trial Lawyers for Public Justice and the American Association for Justice. Mr. Parrish earned his B.S. degree in Economics from Southwest Missouri State University and his J.D. degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

JOSEPH PASSANISE

Joseph S. Passanise graduated with honors from Missouri State University with his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communication (1991), and Master’s of Arts degree in Communication (1993).  He continued his education as a Rotary Scholar obtaining a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of London, Imperial College (1995) and obtained his Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from Washburn University School of Law (1997).

He practices criminal law as partner in Springfield, Missouri with Dee Wampler and Adam Woody, and has participated in a large number of high profile jury and bench trials.  Joe is a Past President of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is a frequent speaker at Missouri Bar and MACDL conferences and has been chosen as a member by the National College of DUI Defense (2004 – Present).

Joe has been selected by the Missouri Bar as a Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award recipient (2002) and by Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly as one of the top five “up and coming lawyers” for the state of Missouri (2003) and recently featured as one of sixteen finalist for “Lawyer of the Year” (2008). Furthermore, his peers have recognized him as a Best Lawyer in America (2007 – Present), a Missouri Super Lawyer (2006 – Present), and American Trial Lawyers Association (2007 – Present).  The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association President recently honored Passanise with the 2008 President Award in recognition for extraordinary service to the bar.

He is married to Jennifer Steffes and they have two beautiful children Bella and Samuel; and two labs (Felony & Alibi).

SAM PHILLIPS

Mr. Sam Phillips is Deputy Chief Disciplinary Counsel at the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. In addition to his work at the OCDC, he has been in private practice, has served as an assistant prosecutor and has managed a bank's trust department. Mr. Phillips is active with the National Organization of Bar Counsel, having served on its Board of Directors.

 

DAN PINGELTON 

Mr. Dan Pingelton is an attorney in private practice in Columbia, concentrating on civil litigation and family law. He graduated from Arizona State University in 1981 with a degree in journalism, and received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1984. Some of Mr. Pingelton’s reported cases include Dye v. Missouri Division of Child Support Enforcement, 811 S.W.2d 355 (Mo.banc 1981) [constitutionality of administrative child support enforcement statutes]; Baird v. Baird, 843 S.W.2d 388 (Mo.App.E.D. 1992) [first Missouri case confirming use of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to seize ERISA retirement funds for child support and maintenance arrears]; McCreary v. McCreary, 954 S.W.2d 433 (Mo.App.W.D. 1997) [multiple issues including proper standard for modification of custody; proper use of remedy of equitable accounting in a fiduciary relationship for child support; mandatory award of attorney fees; and liability for medical expense reimbursement]; and Deuschle v. Jobe, 30 S.W.3d 215 (Mo.App.W.D. 2000) [established Missouri precedent that an unmarried person can recover damages for negligent transmission of the herpes virus]. Publications include two chapters for Missouri Family Law, 6^th ed., published by the Missouri Bar: and A Decade of IV-D Law 1997-2007, published for the Missouri Child Support Enforcement Association. Mr. Pingelton has presented CLE programs for national, regional and state associations.

 

ALAN PRATZEL

Mr. Alan Pratzel was appointed as the Chief Disciplinary Counsel by the Supreme Court of Missouri in April 2007. In his position with the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Mr. Pratzel oversees the investigation and disposition of all complaints against lawyers in the State of Missouri. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Pratzel served for twenty-two years as a Special Representative for the Region X and XI Disciplinary Committees in St. Louis. Mr. Pratzel is also an adjunct professor of ethics at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

BILL PRINCE 

Mr. Bill Prince received his B.A. degree from the University of Denver and his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is currently the legal counsel for the Greene County Juvenile Office in Springfield, Missouri. Prior to that position he was in private practice where his practice emphasized custody, juvenile and adoption matters. He is a past member of the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board and current member of the National Association of the Counsel for Children. He currently is the Chairman of The Missouri Bar Juvenile Law Committee.

DAVID RANSIN

David W. Ransin is a trial attorney dedicated to protecting injury victims and their families in catastrophic injury and death litigation from car, motorcycle and tractor trailer crashes. His expertise has been gained from many jury trials and appeals over his 27 years of practice in southwest Missouri. David was recognized as the Best Solo Practitioner in Missouri in 2007 and 2008, a Top Attorney in Missouri & Kansas, and received the SASFC Distinguished Service Award. David is a graduate of University of Missouri School of Law, and an active member of AAJ, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, the Missouri Bar, SASF, and several civic and community organizations.

 

SARAH READ

 

Sarah Read advises individuals and firms on a range of law practice management issues and provides training programs and career coaching.  She also is a mediator, facilitator and resolution counsel and is currently the past chair of the Missouri Bar’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.  In addition to her law office, Sarah has a consulting firm, The Communications Center, Inc. (www.buildingdialogue.com) through which she provides communications training, consulting, and related services.

 Ms. Read received her B.A. degree, cum laude, in 1978 from Yale University and her Juris Doctorate degree with the Order of the Coif from the University of Wisconsin in 1981.  She practiced for many years in Chicago with Sidley Austin LLP.  She received mediation training from the Center for Conflict Resolution in Chicago, attended the MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program, and is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s national panel of neutrals. She has been facilitator for community dialogues such as the study circles on diversity sponsored by the City of Columbia’s Human Rights Commission and the City of Columbia’s visioning process.  In 2004 and 2006 she was certified as a HBDI provider by Herrmann International to work with both individuals and teams.  She is a member of the Missouri and Wisconsin Bars and the American and Chicago Bar Associations.  She is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts in Illinois and Wisconsin, and the state courts of Missouri. She was recently appointed to the Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution.

 

SARA G. RITTMAN

 

Ms. Sara Rittman is the Legal Ethics Counsel. In that capacity, she provides oral and written informal advisory opinions to attorneys and serves as counsel to the Supreme Court Advisory Committee. She received her B.S.Ed. in 1978 from The University of Missouri at Columbia. In 1981, she received her J.D. from The University Of Missouri-Kansas City. Ms. Rittman became an Assistant Attorney General for Missouri in 1981. Beginning in 1985, Ms. Rittman was the Unit Chief of the Professional Licensing Unit of the Attorney General's Office. Ms. Rittman became a Staff Counsel for the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel in 1993. She became Deputy Chief Disciplinary Counsel in 2000. She has been the Legal Ethics Counsel since January 1, 2003.

SUSAN FORD ROBERTSON

Ms. Susan Ford Robertson concentrates her practice on serving as appellate counsel in all stages of complex litigation, including working with trial counsel to protect and preserve the record, prior and during trial, as well as presenting appeals to all levels of appellate courts. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and School of Journalism. She is past President of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners and Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. She is a 2005 recipient of The Missouri Bar President’s Award, 2005 Defense Research Institute’s Excellence Award and 1996 David A. Dixon Appellate Advocacy Award. She is currently the Chair of the Appellate Judicial Evaluation Committee and Chair of The Missouri Bar Civil Practice and Procedure Committee.

PHIL ROSENTHAL

Phil is the President, Chairman, and co-founder of Fastcase. Phil began his career as a physicist, studying string theory and cosmology. He also was a contractor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, working on our first mission to Pluto. Before his work at Fastcase, Phil was a patent attorney at Covington & Burling in Washington D.C., where his diverse legal practice encompassed nuclear, patent, telecommunications, environmental, and corporate law.

Phil has served as a board member for the MIT Enterprise Forum of Washington, DC & Baltimore, and is currently on the board of the Dwelling Place in Gaithersburg, MD.

While earning his J.D. magna cum laude at Harvard law School, Phil assisted Professor Arthur Miller in updating the classic treatise, Federal Practice and Procedure. Phil received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Yale University, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He continued his studies at the California Institute of Technology, where he earned both Masters and Ph.D. degrees in physics.

JAMES A. RYNARD

Mr. James A. Rynard is the Principal Attorney for The Rynard Law Firm located in Kimberling City, Missouri.  Mr. Rynard graduated summa cum laude from Ottawa University with a Bachelor of Arts in Management. He later graduated with his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law.   He also holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.   Prior to relocating his practice to Kimberling City, Missouri, Mr. Rynard had a varied career in his law practice, initially working for Shook, Hardy & Bacon, primarily in the area of tobacco litigation.  Mr. Rynard was later employed in the practice of law with a small boutique firm concentrating in the area of consumer protection and particularly in the realm of auto fraud.   He also spent three and a half years as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.  Mr. Rynard is a 1999 recipient of the Robert C. Welch Volunteer Attorney Project Award from the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence in Bankruptcy Studies, and numerous professional awards related to his criminal justice teaching background.   Prior to his employment as an attorney, Mr. Rynard spent 15 years as a mainframe computer programmer, analyst, supervisor and consultant. Mr. Rynard also spent nearly eight years in military service, serving as a law enforcement specialist, law enforcement and corrections supervisor, and as an investigator. 

BRYAN SCHEIDERER

Bryan D. Scheiderer is an attorney in Rolla, Missouri who represents people in civil and criminal trials.

 

 

 

 

DEBRA SCHUSTER

Ms. Debra Schuster received her B.A. in Physical Anthropology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985, her Master of Health Administration from Washington University in St. Louis in 1988 and her J.D. degree from St. Louis University School of Law in 1991. As a law student, Ms. Schuster was a co-founder of the Public Interest Law Group at St. Louis University School of Law.

Ms. Schuster’s practice focuses on elder and disability law, including mental health law, guardian and conservatorship representation, Medicare appeals, asset protection and Medicaid planning, elder abuse and neglect, nursing home advice and negotiations, long-term disability appeals, estate planning and Special Needs Trusts.  

 Ms. Schuster began her legal career as an attorney with the Health Law Practice Group at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. and went onto become in-house Counsel for Group Health Plan, Inc. During Ms. Schuster’s tenure at Group Health Plan, she served on the Missouri Department of Insurance’s Physician Credentialing Task Force.

 Ms. Schuster is licensed to practice law in the states of Illinois and Missouri. She is a member of the Illinois Bar Association’s Elder Law Section, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis’s Elder Law Section, of which she is Co-chair, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a speaker for the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Ms. Schuster is an active member of the Breakthough Coalition, a multi-disciplinary association of elder care providers and a Co-Chairperson of its Advocacy Committee. 

STEVE SCOTT

Steve Scott holds three degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia: Bachelor of Journalism, June 1968; Master of Arts, Political Science, August 1977; and Juris Doctor (cum laude), December 1977. Before and while attending law school, he worked for seven years as a reporter and editor for several newspapers. In law school he was a member of the Board of Editors of the Missouri Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He has engaged in a general civil practice in Columbia since 1978, focusing on landlord services in recent years. Before 1997 when he opened a solo law practice, he was managing shareholder of a six-lawyer firm. He has been a presenter at ethics, landlord-tenant, ADR, practice management and home-office CLE programs sponsored by The Missouri Bar and the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and participates in planning the annual Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference. He has a web site at www.scottlawfirm.com and can be contacted by email at sscott@scottlawfirm.com.

WILLIAM E. SHULL

Bill Shull is a solo practitioner in Liberty, Missouri, who concentrates on trial work in civil, domestic and criminal defense. He graduated from U.M.K.C. Law School in 1972 and has been a regular speaker at bar seminars, Juvenile Court CASA, and Synergy House programs. He has contributed articles to legal publications including The Urban Lawyer, The Practical Lawyer, The Journal of the Missouri Bar, the ABA Litigation News and the Missouri Criminal Law Practice CLE Book.  He also currently serves as an attorney to the Clay County Juvenile Court, a city prosecutor and as a municipal judge. He is a CJA (federal) panel attorney and is death qualified in the U.S.D.C. for the Western District of Missouri.

REMINGTON SMITH

Remington Smith is a practicing plaintiffs’ attorney in Kansas City who has been a legal technology consultant for more than seven years.  Remington has a BS in business administration from Truman State University with concentrations in information systems and management.  He received his JD from the University of Missouri – Columbia, School of Law where he was on the Journal of Dispute Resolution and the law school’s technology advisory committee.  Remington is also active on the Solo and Small Firm Committee and the SFIG list of the Missouri Bar.  Recently, Remington acquired www.SmallFirmTech.com and will be developing the site into a technology resource aimed toward helping small and solo firms learn about free and inexpensive technology products and services that can optimize their practice.

SEAMUS P. SMITH

Seamus Patrick Smith grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and received a B.A. in Business Administration (Concentration in Finance) from Benedictine College, a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law and a LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.  Seamus practices in the areas of estate, business, and tax planning, and is an adjunct teacher of business and tax law at Benedictine College.  Seamus is admitted to practice law in the states of Kansas and Missouri and before the United States Tax Court.

 

CHRIS STIEGEMEYER

Mr. Christian A. Stiegemeyer is the Director of Risk Management for The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company and Executive Vice President of The Bar Plan Foundation.  He received his B.A. from Southeast Missouri State University and his J.D. from The Saint Louis University School of Law in 1992.  While in private practice he practiced primarily in the areas of domestic relations,

criminal law and appellate practice.

 

 

ALAN STEINBERG

Mr. Alan J. Steinberg is a practicing attorney with offices in St. Louis, Missouri.  Alan is a member of Steinberg & Steinberg, LLC. where he practices with his son, Les. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1967. He is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America Court of Appeals for the Eighth circuit and the United States Tax Court. Alan concentrates in the areas of business, tax, family law and litigation with respect thereto. He has written several articles on computer technology and is active in the Missouri Bar Association and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis where he participates in putting on programs on the Internet and legal technology matters. Mr. Steinberg is the current Chair of the Missouri Bar Special Board Committee Online Legal Research Task Force. Additional information relative to Mr. Steinberg may be found at his Web Site, as follows: www.steinberglaw.com.

 

ALLAN STEWART

Mr. Stewart received his B.A. from the University of Missouri - St. Louis in 1969, and his J.D. from St. Louis University in 1972.  He is the author of the "Parentage" chapter in the Missouri Family Law Desk Book, has written extensively on family law matters, and is a frequent lecturer at legal education programs.  Mr. Stewart is a Past Chair of the Missouri Bar Family Law Section and current Chair of the Section Newsletter.  He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.  Mr. Stewart is senior partner in the firm of Stewart, Mittleman, Heggie & Henry, L.L.C. in Clayton, Missouri.  He is certified as a matrimonial arbitrator by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mr. Allan F. Stewart is the 2007 Missouri Bar Family Practitioner of the year.

CHRIS STIEGEMEYER

Mr. Christian A. Stiegemeyer is the Director of Risk Management for The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company and Executive Vice President of The Bar Plan Foundation.  He received his B.A. from Southeast Missouri State University and his J.D. from The Saint Louis University School of Law in 1992.  While in private practice he practiced primarily in the areas of domestic relations, criminal law and appellate practice.

 

DAVID J. STOCKMAN

President and Managing Member, Best Source LLC

BS, Industrial Relations, Iowa State University

Master Labor Industrial Relations (MLIR) Michigan State University

Fellow in the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists.

Tweny years of corporate Employee Benefits experience for firms such as Stroh Brewery Company, Monsanto Company and Emerson Electric Co.

Two years benefit consultant with Deloitte & Touche, LLP

Ten years solo practice Benefits Consulting and Insurance Brokerage

Dave has spoken several times to professional groups, including national educational conventions, he’s authored articles on human resources administration and employee benefit plans, and has been quoted in newspapers, magazines and radio.

In love with and married to the same woman for 36 years.

Two children, one daughter-in-law, one grandson.

HON. J. EDWARD SWEENEY

Senior Judge J. Edward Sweeney is a 1966 graduate of Marquette University and a 1969 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. After serving in Vietman, he began the private practice of law with the firm of Sweeney and Sweeney in Monett in 1971.  He served as Barry County Prosecuting Attorney in 1973-74.  He was a Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer Award recipient in 1978.  He was appointed Associate Circuit Judge of Barry County in September of 1985 and was elected without opposition in 1986 and 1990.  He was elected Circuit Judge of the 39th Judicial Circuit comprised of Barry Lawrence and Stone Counties without opposition in 1994 and 2000.  He has served as a Senior Judge since 2007.  He is married to the former Donna Dale McKinley of Aurora and they have two children.

DAVID TERRY

Mr. David W. Terry is with the Terry Law Firm, L.L.C. in St. Louis.  Mr. Terry represents plaintiffs in the areas of nursing home abuse and negligence, medical malpractice, premises liability for violent crimes and other serious personal injuries. He received his B.A. degree from Wheaton College and his J.D. degree from Drake University. Mr. Terry is a former adjunct instructor of business law at Southeast Missouri State University and has lectured frequently on his areas of practice. He is the author of Dirty Harry Takes on the Nursing Home Industry: Practical Advice from a Vigilante Hero. Mr. Terry is a member of The Missouri Bar and the Illinois State Bar Association and practices in state and federal courts in both states.

REID TRAUTZ

Mr. Reid Trautz is a lawyer who is currently the practice management advisor for a large metropolitan bar association.  He provides practice management information and consulting services to the bar’s 80,000 members to help them improve their businesses and the delivery of legal services to their clients.  Prior to creating this program Reid practiced law for nine years with a five-lawyer litigation firm in Alexandria, Virginia.  

Reid is an active member of the ABA Law Practice Management Section, currently serving as the vice-chair of the Publications Board, the largest publisher of practice management books in the United States.  He is also a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Solo and Small Firm Practitioners. 

Reid is a nationally-recognized consultant and presenter on practice management issues, including business process improvement, law practice technology, attorney-client communications, and financial and risk management.  He is the author of numerous practice management articles and publications to help lawyers with the business of practicing law.

He is admitted to the bars of Minnesota, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

When not working, Reid and his wife, Mimi, and three boys enjoy traveling, Little League games, and an occasional round of golf. 

He can be reached for comment or consultation at rtrautz@cox.net.

ANTHONY TUMMINELLO

Education

            BSC with major in accounting                                  1962

            MSC with double major in accounting and Finance    1970

            JD                                                                         1983  all from St. Louis U.

 Certified Public Accountant for MO and IL since 6/1962

Opened own practice 1/1/70

Licensed attorney for MO and IL since 9/83

Firm Info:  Tumminello & Associates, LLC

                   10349 Watson Road

                   St. Louis, Missouri 63127

                   Ph:          314-821-3399

                   Fax:        314-822-7587

                   E-mail:    agtumminello@yahoo.com

 Practices in Business, Tax and Real Estate law.

 

DOUG VAN CAMP

Douglas L. Van Camp was a member of the firm of Hendren and Andrae which was established in 1946 by original partners John Hendren and Henry Andrae, for 25 years before starting his own firm.  His office is in Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri located geographically in the center of the state, which affords him the ability to attend workers’ compensation dockets throughout the state, although the majority of their dockets are in central, southern and northern Missouri.  Douglas L. Van Camp has been an attorney for 24 years, and has approximately 95% of his practice devoted to handling workers’ compensation and personal injury matters, the balance of his practice is in the area of divorce and family law.  He has extensive trial experience in the workers’ compensation arena involving not only routine hearings to determine the nature and extent of permanent partial disability, or permanent total disability, but has also been involved in what he believes to be one of the most extensive hearing in the State of Missouri, one which resulted in a favorable award for his employer client (Light v. J. C. Industries).  He also has extensive litigation experience in the civil trial court system throughout the mid-Missouri area.  He also has argued numerous cases before the state’s Labor and Industrial Relations Commission and appellate courts.

Approximately four years ago, he decided to go to “the Dark Side” and focus on representation of injured parties as opposed to employers/insurers.  He has developed a plaintiff practice that seems to have evolved into a heavy predominance of cases representing state workers.

E. DENVER VOLD

Denver Vold graduated with an undergraduate degree in business and a Juris Doctor degree in law. He also has received a Master’s Degree in tax law (LL.M. – taxation).

He has authored “Estate Planning and the Tax Shelter” and co-authored The Law of Health Care Decision-Making, a national multi-volume publication on living wills and health care powers of attorney, as well as authoring numerous Missouri and Kansas Bar Association articles and continuing legal education articles for the University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Law.

He has served as an instructor in estate planning at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, as an adjunct instructor in estate planning for the New York Institute of Finance, and as a faculty member of the College of Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Vold is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (member of the Probate subcommittee), the Johnson County and Kansas Bar Associations, the Missouri Bar Association (member of the Probate and Trust Subcommittee), the Estate Planning Council of Eastern Kansas, the Estate Planning Society, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

JIM WIRKEN

Jim is Chairman of the Board of The Wirken Law Group, P.C. He received his J.D. degree from St. Louis University in 1970. Prior to that, he graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1962, and received his B.S. in English from Rockhurst College in 1967.

Jim's practice areas include general civil litigation, including business litigation, bank litigation, tort litigation, family law and criminal law.

Jim is a frequent lecturer to legal professionals on professionalism, ethics, law office management and trial practice.

Jim also serves as an adjunct professor, and program coordinator in the Trial Advocacy classes at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law, where his team placed first in the 2008 NTC Regional competition. He also teaches in the Executive Fellows MBA Program at Rockhurst University.

Jim is an accomplished author for the legal community, including a previous weekly column in The Daily Record titled “Wirken Tips: Law Office Marketing, Management and Economics” and “Wirken=s Quips, Quotes, Wit & Wisdom” and co-wrote the Missouri Civil Procedure Formbook.

Jim is a member of the American Bar Association (former president, National Caucus of Metropolitan Bar Leaders and Member of the Board for the National Conference of Bar Presidents), the American Trial Lawyers Association (founder and past chair, Lender Liability LP Gas Study Groups), The Missouri Bar (former vice chair of the Young Lawyers Section, Chairman Methods of Practice Committee, and current member of the Board of Governors) and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (past president - Young Lawyers Section and Senior Section). 

Jim was again recently voted as a Missouri “Super Lawyer” for the fourth year in a row. This honor is reserved for the top 5% of Missouri Lawyers.

Jim was also named as the “Best of the Bar 2007” by the Kansas City Business Journal, after being voted for the honor by his peers in the legal community for the third year in a row. This year only 151 lawyers were so named out of approximately 10,000 lawyers in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.

Jim recently was awarded the 2008 Very Reverend Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Alumnus of the Year by Rockhust High School. This award was founded in 2000, making Jim the 8^th alumni to receive this award.

Jim loves to sail, travel and construct things. He currently bought, remodeled and is operating Mike's Tavern on Troost Avenue.

JAMES H. YOUNG

Mr. James H. Young received his BSBA University of Missouri-Columbia School of Business in 1986. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in Economics. In 1989 he received his JD from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. Mr. Young is a solo practitioner with his practice emphasizing Domestic/Family Law. His professional association memberships include: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Fellow and past President of Missouri Chapter, past Treasurer of the 2000/2001/2002/2003 Missouri Chapter; Missouri Bar Family Law Section (Member of Section's Executive Council 1998-present and 1991-1992, and Chairman of the Section 2001-2003); Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Family Law Section -Member (Chairman-1995); Eastern Jackson County Bar Association; Circuit Court of Jackson County Mediation Advisory Committee; Circuit Court of Jackson County Family Court Liaison Committee - Past Member; Circuit Court of Jackson County Family Law Rules Committee; appointed to Supreme Court of Missouri Family Court Committee (Subcommittee reviewing the Form 14 Child Support Chart-as a non-voting member/participant); appointed to Supreme Court of Missouri and Missouri Bar Joint Commission of Pro Se Litigation.

 Mr. Young wrote the Missouri Bar’s video entitled, “Divorce – A Guide to the Legal Journey Ahead” along with Jack Wax of the Missouri Bar; the video being released for sale in the year 2001. He presented the video at numerous legal seminars, including the Missouri Bar Mid-Year Meeting, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Solo and Small Firm Conference; completed mediation training in compliance with Supreme Court of Missouri and Jackson County Rules. Mediate family law issues; Co-Authored the supplement of Chapter 25 of The Missouri Bar, Family Law Fourth Ed. Vol. 2 CLE; former Co-Author of the Missouri Bar Family Law Section “Update on the Law”; assisted attorney Jack Cochran in authoring The Missouri Practice, Vol. 21 on Family Law; contributing author of The Missouri Bar Family Law Handbook; faculty member and speaker at numerous seminars including: Tax Aspects of Divorce (1996); The Impact of Bankruptcy on Dissolution of Marriage (1995 and 1998); Real Estate Problems in a Dissolution (1996); Legal Terminology and the Form 14 (1997); New Form 14 and Senate Bill 910 (1998); Associate Circuit Judges’ Conference, “What Should be in Every Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage” (1999); Missouri Bar CLE Annual Law Update (2001); Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference (2001); Joint Physical Custody - - Form 14 Child Support Methodology (2003); Missouri Bar Family Law Section.

 He is a member of the Blue Springs Kiwanis Club (Past President); Blue Springs Country Club (Past Member and Vice President of Board of Directors); Blue Springs Jaycees (Past Vice President); Kimstin Place Homeowners' Association (Past President); Eastern Jackson County Youth Court (Volunteer); Woods Chapel United Methodist Church.

 DAVID ZEVAN

Mr. David M. Zevan: Born 1965; Admitted 1991; University of Scranton, B.S.; St. Louis University, J.D.