MoveMakers & NewsMakers March 28, 2018

Mar. 28, 2018 - See who is making news and moving wherein the weekly Missouri Bar update "MoveMakers & NewsMakers." 

St. Louis Area

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. is pleased to announce that Jessica Courtway, a lawyer in the firm’s St. Louis office, has been selected by the ABA Forum on Construction Law as a 2018 Diversity Fellow.

The ABA Forum on Construction Diversity Fellowship program aims to draw diverse construction lawyers into the ranks of active, long-term forum members by identifying those who have demonstrated interest in the Forum on Construction and are potential candidates for future leadership. The largest organization of construction lawyers in the United States, the ABA Forum on Construction Law has more than 6,000 members who represent all segments of the construction industry.

Courtway is a member of Greensfelder’s construction industry group, representing clients in a variety of construction matters including construction litigation and arbitration, prosecution of mechanic’s liens, contract negotiation, and contractor licensing issues.

Courtway also holds a number of leadership positions in professional and community organizations. She serves as president of the Missouri Asian-American Bar Association and vice-chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Courtway received her J.D. (cum laude) from Washington University School of Law and her B.A. (magna cum laude) from Saint Louis University.

Kansas City Area

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice (BSCR) and Williams Venker & Sanders (WVS) are pleased to announce their merger effective July 1, 2018.

The merged firm will continue to be known as Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice and will be headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Scott Kreamer will remain managing member, responsible for the day-to-day operations and long-term planning of the firm. Mike Hunter will serve as the manager in charge of the merged firm’s St. Louis and Illinois offices.

“We are excited to be joining forces with such an excellent group of people and look forward to building on the momentum the merger has created as we look to the future,” said Kreamer.

“We are thrilled to join with BSCR,” said Hunter. “Both firms have been looking to increase their depth and breadth of experience. This combination of our talent and mutual commitment to client service sets the stage for a bright future.”

The merger brings together two very successful regional trial firms with similar histories, practices and philosophies. BSCR, headquartered in Kansas City, was founded in 1982, and has additional offices in St. Louis and Kansas. WVS, headquartered in St. Louis, was founded in 2001 and has additional offices in Kansas City and Illinois.

While both firms have grown considerably since they were founded, each has remained true to the common objective of defending professionals and companies across the country in civil, commercial, and complex litigation, in a personal, efficient and cost-effective manner. The merged firm will continue to focus its efforts on defending clients in courtrooms across the country.

“The combination accomplishes several of the firm’s strategic goals,” said Kreamer. “With the addition of a number of highly respected and experienced litigators and trial lawyers, it advances our goal of being among the top trial firms in the Midwest. It also provides additional depth and resources to more efficiently represent our collective clients.”

“We are confident this union creates a solid foundation for the new firm’s growth plan, which is to strategically grow in attorneys and locations to best serve current and potential clients,” said Paul Venker, a WVS founder.

The combination increases the number of lawyers at BSCR to over 50. It also increases the number of locations to five cities in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Kansas City area lawyers and staff will operate out of BSCR’s Crown Center office location in Kansas City, Missouri. St. Louis area lawyers and staff will operate out of WVS’s downtown office location in St. Louis, Missouri.

Other Areas

Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP is pleased to announce that Catherine E. (“Katie”) Moore is joining the firm as of counsel in its Springfield office. Moore will practice in the areas of estate planning and probate/trust administration. The firm’s Springfield office, which opened on August 2016, is located at 3230 E. Ridgeview.

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