MoveMakers and NewsMakers for January 7, 2025

St. Louis | Kansas City | Across the state

Kansas City

Schmitt Law Firm, LLC, a leading personal injury firm known in Kansas City for its commitment and dedication to fighting for victims of negligence, is proud to announce a name change. The firm will now be known as Schmitt Templin, LLC, with Nick Templin assuming the role of Managing Partner.

The name change reflects a joint commitment to justice for Kansas Citians and beyond, and continuing the firm’s reputation for tireless advocacy. Templin has been an integral part of Schmitt Law Firm’s success, driving exceptional results for the firm’s clients, and the name change incorporates those efforts into the future of the firm.

“I am honored to step into this role and continue the firm’s legacy of providing compassionate and aggressive representation for those who need it most.” said Templin.

St. Louis

Phillip Tatlow is pleased to announce the opening of new offices in Webster Groves, Missouri and in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. He will continue practicing in personal injury, worker's compensation and ERISA litigation. His website is Philtatlow@philtatlowlaw.com. Phil graduated from SLU Law School in 1991 and is licensed in MO, IL and WI. He has done extensive litigation work in personal injury and ERISA law over that time period.

Across the state

The law firm of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP is proud to announce its rebranding and renaming as Kembell Woods & Martinsen LLP. This change reflects our growth and enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and personalized legal services in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and fiduciary litigation. While our name is changing, our mission of serving our clients with expertise and integrity remains unwavering.

As we step into this new chapter, we thank our clients and business partners for their continued trust and support. Together, we will continue to build on our legacy of success, ensuring our clients’ legal needs are met with unparalleled skill and service.

“This is an exciting milestone for our firm,” said John Challis, Managing Partner of Kembell Woods & Martinsen. “Our new name celebrates the contributions of Emily Kembell and our leadership team while reaffirming our dedication to helping clients protect their legacies and navigate complex trust and estate matters. We’re proud to continue offering tailored, forward-thinking solutions to our clients.”

As part of the rebranding, the firm has launched a new website at www.kwm-law.com, along with updated branding to better reflect its boutique focus and commitment to excellence.

Armstrong Teasdale announces lawyers Rachel Bennett, Michael K. Grigsby, Amy L. Merideth, Serena G. Rabie, Maggie Szewczyk and Pamela J. Winter as new partners of the firm.

“Achieving partner status at Armstrong Teasdale is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Managing Partner Richard W. Engel, Jr. “It requires tremendous legal skill, dedication, and commitment. Each of these lawyers is highly deserving, and we are confident they are well positioned to drive the firm forward in the years to come.

Rachel Bennett, Ph.D. (St. Louis) focuses her practice on patent preparation and prosecution, IP licensing and litigation. With a Ph.D. in Biophysics and advanced technical knowledge in medical imaging and engineering, she is particularly adept at handling patent matters for clients related to medical imaging systems (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT)), bioengineering, medical devices, electrical technologies, semiconductor, mechanical devices, telecommunication, internet and computer software technologies.

Charles Caltagirone (St. Louis) handles matters related to tort defense, commercial disputes and real estate. From small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, he manages complex litigation cases involving product and premises liability, asbestos, construction, property disputes and general business.

Michael Grigsby (Denver) focuses his practice primarily on commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions and venture capital financings. Counseling both public and private companies of all sizes, he has wide experience drafting and negotiating documents at all stages of a transaction and regularly oversees due diligence reviews for his clients.

Amy Merideth (St. Louis) works primarily on defending matters that allege personal injury and wrongful death. A key area of her practice involves defending large companies, manufacturers, utilities and their insureds against asbestos exposure claims. She has assisted in handling and negotiating hundreds of asbestos exposure lawsuits in various courtrooms throughout Missouri and Illinois.

Maggie Szewczyk (St. Louis) is a litigator in the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group, representing clients in complex intellectual property matters in federal and appellate courts throughout the United States and at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She also has experience representing clients in matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Pam Winter (Kansas City) handles a variety of civil litigation defense matters, including catastrophic and personal injury, medical malpractice, transportation, premises and retail liability, and construction defects. Winter is a skillful advocate for her clients practicing in both state and federal court. She has extensive experience representing a variety of companies at all stages of litigation from case inception to trial.

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce 13 new attorneys have been elected to the partnership, underscoring the firm’s commitment to internal advancement as an integral component of professional development. The new partners include Wale Akinmoladun (Kansas City); Paul Jacobson (Kansas City); Daniel Nelson (Kansas City) and Benjamin Shantz (Springfield).

“Each of our new partners exemplify not only exceptional technical experience but also what it means to live out our firm’s core values whether in regard to their humility, commitment to collaboration, or delivering results-driven service to clients,” said Spencer Fane Chair Patrick J. Whalen. “We congratulate them on this hard-earned and well-deserved career milestone and look forward to witnessing the impact their marked talents will have on our firm, clients, and our communities.”

Meet each of the firm’s newest partners below.

Wale Akinmoladun
Akinmoladun represents school districts, health and commercial insurance companies, employers, and other businesses and individuals involved in state and federal litigation and administrative fair hearing appeals. He proactively works to settle differences by using dispute resolution to anticipate, avoid, and resolve litigation, receiving favorable results for a wide array of allegations and claims.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, Akinmoladun earned his Juris Doctor at the University’s Kansas City School of Law. While in law school, he worked as a research assistant for the late Patrick A. Randolph Jr., who was highly regarded in real estate and development both domestically and abroad. Akinmoladun notably updated the Friedman on Leases treatise by reviewing federal and state cases regarding commercial and residential leases.

Paul Jacobson
Jacobson guides businesses through their environmental and workplace safety legal challenges involving the EPA, OSHA, state environmental and workplace safety agencies, and private third parties. In the environmental context, he helps companies understand and comply with federal and state requirements pursuant to the Clean Air Act, RCRA, CERCLA, Clean Water Act, and state corollaries. In the workplace safety context, he assists clients with all stages of OSHA inspections and enforcement, including OSH Review Commission litigation.

Jacobson attended St. Olaf College for his undergraduate studies before earning his Juris Doctor magna cum laude at the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law. Beyond private practice, Jacobson serves on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Section of the Air & Waste Management Association and regularly speaks and writes on environmental health and safety issues.

Daniel Nelson
With vast experience in business law, prosecution, and case management, Nelson offers clients creative and efficient counsel focused on complex, high-stakes litigation. He maintains an extensive track record of success in complex state and federal litigation and regulatory matters, often employing the full spectrum of dispute resolution methods.

Nelson previously served as the Chief Deputy Prosecutor for Jackson County, Missouri, where he oversaw a prosecutor’s office that annually resolved about 4,000 cases, including more than 60 jury trials per year. He also spent more than 12 years in federal prosecution as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, litigating many of the most complex federal white-collar cases.

Nelson attended the University of Missouri for his bachelor’s degree, graduating magna cum laude, before earning his Juris Doctor at the University of Virginia School of Law.

Benjamin Shantz
A trial attorney and dedicated counselor recognized for practical legal advice, Shantz fights for his clients’ interests both in and out of the courtroom so they can focus on growing their businesses. When disputes do arise, he drafts a wide range of contracts to better position clients and protect their interests on the front-end. Shantz focuses his practice on real estate and construction work helping owners, builders, and contractors navigate challenges throughout the development process.

Shantz attended Duke University for his bachelor’s degree, then earned his Juris Doctor at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He believes in giving back to his community and currently serves on several boards, including City Utilities of Springfield, the Springfield Community Land Trust, and the History Museum on the Square.