MoveMakers & NewsMakers for May 25, 2021

St. Louis

St. Louis

Seasoned construction industry lawyer Richard Stockenberg has launched his own firm, The Stockenberg Law Firm LLC. He continues his full-time dedicated representation of construction industry project partners – subcontractors/suppliers, owners, design professionals, general contractors and others.

“Launching my own firm enables me to actively continue representing a vast array of clients within the construction industry,” said Stockenberg. “I remain active in doing exactly what I’ve done well for many years, providing a full scope of legal services to all parties in the construction industry.”

In addition to Stockenberg’s tenure in representing construction clients, he has written key construction-specific legislation enacted into law.

Stockenberg drafted Missouri’s Retainage Reform legislation allowing for bonds as substitutes for withholding cash as retainage. He drafted the legislation banning “broad form” indemnification clauses.

Stockenberg also recently wrote language for a Missouri law requiring payment bonds on projects owned by the government but used for private or non-governmental purposes. This law is unique to Missouri in that it affords general contractors – as well as subcontractors – payment bond protection. This legislation also allows remote suppliers at any tier to make claims under Missouri’s Little Miller Act. These represent major changes to Missouri law.

“Actively advocating for the rights of my clients remains a full-time passion of mine,” he said. “I’m delighted to continue representing all construction industry participants at the helm of my own firm.”

Stockenberg’s experience also includes negotiating and drafting contracts, lien and bond enforcement, and mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Stockenberg is licensed to practice in Missouri, Illinois and the federal courts in Kansas. He is a Fellow in the Construction Lawyers Society of America.

Stockenberg has served as chapter attorney for the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Midwest Council for more than 25 years. He has also served as chair of the National Attorney’s Council of the ASA. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law.

At its May meeting, The Missouri Bar Board of Governors appointed Robert Wendt to the Intervention Committee. His term will run through June 2025. 

The Intervention Committee, established by Rule 16 of the Supreme Court of Missouri, supports the activities of the Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program (MOLAP), a professional, confidential counseling program for members of The Missouri Bar, immediate family members who reside with them, and law students. Through a variety of free services, MOLAP helps individuals overcome personal problems, such as substance use, depression, stress and burnout. Committee members accept assignments and referrals from the committee chair and respond to them in a timely manner to assist lawyers in recovery. 

“I am humbled by my appointment to the Intervention Committee and will do my utmost to faithfully discharge the responsibilities of my appointment,” he said.  

Wendt joined Alcoholics Anonymous in 1983 and was part of the group of St. Louis AA lawyers who helped draft Rule 16. Wendt has been active in Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers and MOLAP since their formation. He also received the Warren Welliver Award from MOLAP for his compassion for impaired lawyers. 

Wendt is a trial lawyer who specializes in the Federal Employees Liability Act and products liability. He served as a principle in Yeager, Jungbauer, Barczak & Wendt, as well as Holloran, Wendt & McMath. He is currently with The Wendt Law Firm. 

Wendt graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1967. He has been active in the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the American Trial Lawyers Association. 

The Intervention Committee is composed of nine members, four appointed by the executive council of the Judicial Conference and five appointed by The Missouri Bar Board of Governors. Members serve four-year terms.  

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, PC is pleased to announce that Lauren E. Surdyke has joined the firm as an associate in the trusts & estates practice group, based in Greensfelder’s St. Louis office.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lauren to Greensfelder as a member of our Trusts & Estates team,” said Greensfelder President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin T. McLaughlin. “Lauren brings experience that will be highly valuable to our estate planning clients.”

Surdyke focuses her practice on estate planning, with an emphasis on high-net-worth families, charitable planning, complex family dynamics and business succession. In addition, she counsels clients on trust administration, assists with preparation of estate and gift tax returns, and works with nonprofit organizations on applications for recognition of tax exemption, board management and contract matters. Her work also has involved entity formation, contract negotiation and other business matters.

Previously, Surdyke was a lawyer at Paule, Camazine and Blumenthal, PC. Her background also includes work at a large financial services firm involving high-net-worth estate plans.

Surdyke received her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law and her B.S. from Missouri Baptist University.

Behr, McCarter & Potter, PC. is pleased to announce the promotion of Joseph T. Neely and Ryan M. Hyde to the position of partner with the firm. The firm is celebrating 30 years of serving Missouri and Illinois by adding two new partners and officially changing their name to Behr, McCarter, Potter, Neely & Hyde, PC. The outstanding work of these new partners has played a pivotal role in the success and growth of the firm.  

Licensed in both Missouri and Illinois, Neely acts as counsel in the areas of white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, federal civil rights litigation and insurance defense. 

Prior to joining BMP, Neely worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent focusing primarily on counterterrorism. Prior to working for the FBI, he served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate. Neely worked as both a criminal defense lawyer and a prosecutor, and, as a result of his significant litigation experience and results, he was awarded the ABA’s Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award for the Marine Corps in 2016. In addition to his substantial trial experience, Neely maintains a TS/SCI security clearance and can be trusted to thoroughly and professionally investigate and report on sensitive matters. 

Licensed in Missouri and Illinois, Hyde counsels corporate, individual and municipal clients on a wide range of cases, including contract, commercial, health care, construction, personal injury, professional liability and real estate matters.

Hyde received his J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has been with the firm since 2016.