MoveMakers and NewMakers for April 2, 2024

Kansas City

Kansas City

Krigel & Krigel, P.C., a leading regional law firm, announces a name change to Krigel Nugent + Moore (“KNM”). The firm was founded in 1979 by Erlene and Sandy Krigel and saw the firm change hands in 2021 to Lara Krigel Pabst, Ivan Nugent, and S.J. Moore.

KNM, under its new leaders, has continued to grow and is considered a true general practice law firm. Attorneys at KNM practice in litigation, civil rights matters including employment discrimination, employment investigations, family law, bankruptcy, and estate planning.

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome Katherine Davis back to the firm. She returns as an associate attorney in the Labor and Employment practice group at the Kansas City office.

Davis provides critical guidance for labor and employment clients so they can productively operate their businesses with minimal employee and compliance issues. This includes advising and structuring effective human resources staff, developing company-wide best practices, mitigating potential challenges and disputes, and preventing serious legal matters.

Davis previously joined Spencer Fane as an associate in the Labor and Employment practice group in the Kansas City office before gaining experience as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court in the District of Kansas and then as Assistant Director of the Professional Development Office at Washburn University School of Law. Her background in both identifying labor and employment risks from an external legal perspective and internally addressing professional development within a university structure lends itself to a strategic, comprehensive approach to proactive employee management and risk mitigation as she re-enters private practice.

“Kate’s return to the Labor and Employment practice group is a valuable add-on for a rapidly growing and evolving sector,” said Julia Vander Weele, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Kansas City. “The internal perspective she’s gained through her professional experience in academia combined with the legal acumen she’s already demonstrated here lay a strong foundation for increased client satisfaction in our Kansas City office.”

Davis received her undergraduate degree in elementary education and teaching from Emporia State University. Following an early career as a first-grade teacher, she earned her Juris Doctor at Washburn University School of Law while completing a series of legal internships, including as a judicial intern for the Hon. Nancy L. Moritz in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and as a summer associate at Spencer Fane. While at Washburn, Davis also served as Notes Editor of the Washburn Law Journal and Treasurer of the Labor and Employment student organization.

Spencer Fane LLP is also pleased to announce Andrew Ostapko has joined the Corporate and Business Transactions practice group as a partner in the firm’s Kansas City office.

Ostapko provides clients with a solutions-oriented approach to all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, and joint ventures, assessing and providing comprehensive guidance on risks, rewards, and legal responsibilities critical to efficient and effective transactions that align with overall business objectives. His practice focuses on structuring and closing middle market mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, venture capital fundraising, a multitude of other private securities offerings, complex corporate structuring, and both real estate and commercial joint venture agreements.

In addition, Ostapko counsels private and public companies in a broad range of general corporate and commercial matters that help clients manage all aspects of day-to-day operations.

“Andrew has built a deserved reputation among his peers for legal excellence in handling transactional matters,” said Julia Vander Weele, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Kansas City. “We see his approach to collaborative and efficient client service as the right match to the core values that make our firm one of the fastest growing in the nation.”

Ostapko completed his undergraduate studies at Missouri State University and earned his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law.