MoveMakers and NewMakers for February 13, 2024

St. Louis | Kansas City

St. Louis

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice is pleased to announce the addition of three attorneys in St. Louis. Logan Lippert, Michelle Meloche and Rachel Shafer have joined the firm as associates.

Lippert’s practice is focused in both commercial and personal lines, including commercial general liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, and homeowners and auto policies. Her practice also includes appellate work. Lippert earned her law degree from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and is licensed to practice in Missouri.

Meloche has a practice focused on defending medical malpractice claims against healthcare providers. Actively engaged in various healthcare and legal organizations, she is a member of the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section, the American Health Lawyers Association, and DRI’s Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee. Meloche earned her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration in Health Law. She obtained her M.P.H. in Health Management & Policy from Saint Louis University and is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois.

Schafer’s practice is focused on defending medical malpractice claims against healthcare providers. Schafer earned her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law and is licensed to practice in Missouri and New Mexico.
 

Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal has recently announced the election of attorney Eleanore I. Palozola as a shareholder in the firm.

Eleanore focuses her practice in the area of family law, with experience in handling complex domestic relations cases, including high-asset dissolutions and high-conflict custody matters.

Kansas City

Lewis Rice is excited to announce the selection of Scott Wissel to lead the Kansas City Office Litigation Department. Jonah Lock has been chosen to serve as his vice-chair. Wissel and Lock assumed leadership responsibilities as of February 1, 2024. Wissel succeeds Bob Tormohlen, who served as head of the department for two decades.

Scott Wissel has been an integral part of the Firm’s Litigation Department for over 25 years. His practice focuses on a diverse range of litigation including construction litigation, consumer banking litigation, loan enforcement, anti-competition and anti-piracy covenants, and contract disputes. Wissel will continue to act as General Counsel for the Firm’s Kansas City office in addition to leading the Litigation team in Kansas City.

Wissel is an active member of many local professional organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Earl E. O’Connor American Inn of Court and served as past president and board member of the Federal Court Advocates Section of the KCMBA.

Wissel received his Juris Doctorate from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1997. He received his undergraduate degree in 1994 from the University of Chapel Hill in Economics and English.

“Scott is an exceptional litigator and leader," said Thomas Martin, Lewis Rice Kansas City office Managing Member. "He understands the business, practice areas, and culture of the Kansas City office. I believe Scott has fresh ideas and a vision that will contribute to the continued growth of the Firm while preserving the values upon which Lewis Rice was founded."

Jonah Lock’s practice centers on assisting commercial property owners with their leasing and landlord-tenant issues, including vendor litigation and tenant evictions/collections, lease reviews and related negotiations with prospective tenants, and drafting of lease amendments and addendums. Lock devotes a significant portion of his practice to construction law, bond claims, and related litigation matters.

The Kansas City Litigation Department has significant experience in a broad range of litigation matters. These include appellate litigation, banking litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, class action defense, complex commercial and business litigation, construction litigation, labor and employment, estate and trust litigation, insurance coverage/defense, mediation/alternative dispute resolution, patron security and safety litigation, products liability, real estate litigation, and transportation law.