MoveMakers and NewsMakers for February 25, 2025

Across MO | Springfield

Across MO

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice is pleased to announce the addition of three associate attorneys. Manni Jandernoa Watson joins the firm in St. Louis, while Patrick Franken and Lindsey Freihoff join in Kansas City. 

Jandernoa Watson’s practice focuses on appeals, products liability, personal injury and insurance coverage. They earned their law degree from the Saint Louis University School of Law and hold an undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Admitted to practice law in Missouri in Sept. 2024, Jandernoa Watson was a 2023 Baker Sterchi summer law clerk. 

Franken’s practice focuses on business, construction, and surety and fidelity law. Prior to joining the firm, he spent five years as an Assistant District Attorney in the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked in the Drug and Gun Units, handling non-fatal shooting cases and conducting nearly 30 jury trials. Franken earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is licensed to practice in Missouri and Wisconsin. 

Freihoff’s practice focuses on insurance defense, personal injury, premises liability, municipal liability, employment law, professional malpractice and first-party claims. Freihoff is an active member of several local and state bar associations, including the Kansas Bar Association, where she serves on the Board of Editors for the Kansas Bar Journal, and the Johnson County Bar Association, where she is a member of the Young Lawyers Division, among others. Freihoff earned her law degree summa cum laude from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where she was recognized as a William L. Crowe, Sr. Scholar. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and is licensed to practice in Missouri, Kansas and Texas. 

 

Anthony Meyer and Brian Moody are pleased to announce the formation of their law firm Meyer Moody LLC.

Meyer Moody LLC is a litigation boutique with experience prosecuting employment, injury, consumer protection, class action, and appellate cases. Anthony and Brian are both former law clerks at the Supreme Court of Missouri, graduates of the University of Missouri School of Law, and alumni of the Missouri Bar's Leadership Academy. Their new firm takes a smart approach to legal strategy and desires to provide cost-effective solutions to its clients. Meyer Moody LLC maintains offices in Columbia and Springfield.

Springfield

Kembell Woods & Martinsen is pleased to announce that Robert L. Temple has joined our Springfield office. Rob received his undergraduate degree cum laude from Missouri State University in 2016. While earning his Juris Doctor at the University of Missouri School of Law, Rob was the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Dispute Resolution. After receiving his JD in 2019, Rob earned his Master of Laws (LLM) in taxation with an emphasis in estate planning and wealth transfer at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in 2020.

Rob assists clients with all aspects of asset preservation in areas of estate planning, general business, and tax law. Rob works to provide a balanced, flexible guide to protecting finances and navigating highly sensitive matters while also focusing on both short and long-term client objectives. Prior to joining KWM, Rob practiced in both Columbia and Springfield.

"It is an honor to join a firm as focused and respected in the areas of estates and trusts. Moving my practice to KWM will allow me to provide the highest quality of work in an efficient and cost-effective manner," said Rob Temple. KWM partner Emily Kembell said "we are thrilled to add Rob to our team. His addition underscores our commitment to Southwest Missouri and providing the highest level of estate and trust services in the State."