MoveMakers & NewsMakers April 19, 2019

Apr. 19, 2019 - See who is making news and moving where in the weekly Missouri Bar update "MoveMakers & NewsMakers."

Kansas City Area

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Brian Markley to the firm’s Kansas City office. He will be a partner in the litigation practice group.

Markley is an experienced litigator with a practice primarily focused on the agriculture, chemical, financial and publishing industries, and he has extensive experience with antitrust, consumer protection, business torts, employment and other commercial claims. He also defends clients in class actions and multidistrict litigation.

In addition, Markley helps protect the interests and trade secrets of companies when hiring or parting ways with executives or key employees. He has litigated covenants not to compete, nonsolicitation agreements, and trade secret disputes in 20 states, including Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas — seven states where Spencer Fane currently has at least one office.“We are delighted to add Brian and deepen our already strong bench of litigators,” said Pat Whalen, firm managing partner for Spencer Fane. “This continues our commitment to identify and attract attorneys with a commitment to client service while focusing on achieving successful outcomes in the most important matters for our clients.”Markley’s experience includes working with large commercial entities, midsized companies, family-owned business and startups.

In addition to his courtroom experience, Markley serves as a trusted advisor and general counsel for several corporations, medical societies and trade associations. Prior to starting his legal career, he clerked for Judge John W. Lungstrum in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas and served on the staff of Senator John C. Danforth.

Markley completed his undergraduate education at Princeton University and earned his Juris Doctor with highest distinction from the University of Kansas School of Law.

Mid-Missouri Area

Lear Werts is proud to announce the addition of associate Ethan C. (“EC”) Duckworth, who will focus on plaintiff-side complex and class action litigation.“We are thrilled to have EC join our team at Lear Werts. He brings stellar credentials and enthusiasm that will be of great service to our firm’s clients,” said Brad Lear, one of the founding partners of the firm.

Prior to joining Lear Werts, Duckworth practiced in Kansas City with a prominent law firm in the litigation department. His background includes significant work on class action and other commercial litigation matters.“I’m very excited to return home to Columbia and continue my legal career with Lear Werts,” said Duckworth.

Duckworth earned his J.D. in 2017 from the University of Missouri, where he graduated in the Order of the Coif and served as an editor of the Missouri Law Review. He is a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the Boone County Bar Association, and he is a barrister with the Ross T. Roberts Trial Academy.

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