MoveMakers & NewsMakers for May 3, 2022

St. Louis | Kansas City 

St. Louis

Affinity Law Group LLC, a leading St. Louis-based boutique business, estate planning, and employment law firm, recently announced that Jason Kinser joined the firm as a lawyer in the Corporate Practice Group. 

Kinser brings nearly 20 years of experience to Affinity representing business owners and operators in the health care, manufacturing, construction, and financial services industries. He will concentrate his practice in general business and corporate law, with an emphasis on commercial real estate transactions, and labor and employment matters.

“We are excited to have Jason join Affinity Law Group. He brings an incredible amount of legal experience that will greatly benefit our small business and entrepreneurial clients,” said Bradley Crandall, the firm's managing partner.

Kinser received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Northern Illinois University and received a Juris Doctor cum laude from Southern Illinois University School of Law. He is licensed in Missouri and Illinois.

Prior to attending law school, Kinser served with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, and in Central America. He is an active volunteer with the USO of Missouri. 

Kansas City

Kelly Willyard joins Kennyhertz Perry LLC after over seven years of service with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

As an assistant attorney general, Willyard represented the state of Missouri and its agencies in a variety of civil matters, both prosecuting and defending state interests. Much of her practice focused on the protection and recovery of state funds, including Title XIX (Medicaid). She practiced in over 16 Missouri counties and has experience in state and federal court, as well as the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission. Willyard’s careful attention to detail and excellence in written advocacy have enabled her to consistently secure good outcomes for her clients. She also brings with her the unique perspective and understanding of state government she gained from her years in public service. 
 

Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris LLC is pleased to announce Paul Torlina joined the firm as of counsel.

Torlina brings with him more than 20 years of experience in labor and employment law and policy development and related litigation, with a strong track record of handling cases in state and federal court in Missouri and Kansas. He assists clients in risk management and analysis, as well as drafting and implementation of comprehensive employment-related policies that reduce the risk of legal claims and exposure.

Torlina formulates efficient and effective legal strategies when litigation becomes necessary. His experience negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements made with employers serves him well in handling labor union and workers’ rights matters under federal labor laws, including grievance arbitrations.

“We continue to focus on handling our clients’ most complex labor and employment matters,” said Kimberly Jones, the firm's managing partner. “Paul’s well-rounded experience that also includes employee benefits law and insurance litigation makes him a perfect fit for our firm and the unique practices we’ve developed.”

Torlina completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Louis University and later earned his Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law.