MoveMakers and NewsMakers for March 3, 2026

St. Louis | Across MO

St. Louis

National law firm Armstrong Teasdale today announced it is continuing to add bench strength and sophisticated tax experience to its Corporate Services Group with the addition of partner Brandon Bickerton in the firm’s St. Louis office, furthering the firm’s ability to meet growing client demand for increasingly complex transactions.

Bickerton is a seasoned tax attorney with over a decade of experience providing legal counsel and practical guidance to clients on comprehensive tax planning, compliance and advisory services. His practice focuses on advising clients on federal, state and local tax controversy matters, with an emphasis on navigating the administrative process. He has extensive experience with Subchapter S corporations and advises founders, private equity sponsors and high-net-worth individuals on qualification, structuring and monetization of Qualified Small Business Stock, including gain exclusion planning and audit defense. Bickerton has analyzed multistate income and sales tax nexus for various types of taxpayers, including the negotiation of voluntary disclosures with taxing authorities to resolve historical tax exposures and to minimize penalties.

“Brandon’s tax planning experience enhances our ability to support clients in complex M&A deals and other types of transactions,” said Calvin Matthews, the firm’s Corporate Services Practice Group Leader. “We continue to invest in impressive talent that will support our increasing client demand. I am excited to welcome Brandon to the team as we continue to build and strengthen our tax and corporate services.”

“The firm’s vision for growth aligns closely with where I see my practice heading,” Bickerton said. “I am looking forward to contributing to the expansion of Armstrong Teasdale’s Corporate Services Group and addressing tax-related needs across all client verticals.”

Prior to joining Armstrong Teasdale, Bickerton served as a partner at Polsinelli, a St. Louis-area law firm. Before that, he was a senior tax associate at KPMG where he advised clients on a wide range of issues, including corporate mergers and acquisitions, international tax, and tax controversy. Bickerton earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law and his M.B.A. in business administration and B.S. in finance from Missouri State University.

Across MO

The Board of Trustees of Legal Aid of Western Missouri (Legal Aid) is pleased to announce the appointment of Amber Christ as Executive Director, effective April 13, 2026.

Amber began her legal career as a staff attorney at Legal Aid, where she developed a deep commitment to expanding access to justice that has shaped her work ever since. She later returned to the organization as a member of the Board of Trustees, where she has served for the past five years.

She rejoins the Legal Aid staff after thirteen years at Justice in Aging, where, as Managing Director of Health Advocacy, she led national initiatives to expand access to health care for older adults with limited resources. In that role, she built a talented and driven team that advanced significant legal and policy reforms, improving access to care for hundreds of thousands of older adults nationwide. She brings a strong track record of launching high-impact initiatives and securing the funding to sustain them, along with a collaborative, can-do leadership style that is respected by colleagues and partners across the country.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to welcome Amber as our next Executive Director,” said Board President Jolie Justice. “She brings exceptional leadership, vision, and a deep commitment to our mission. We have full confidence in her ability to guide Legal Aid forward, and we are excited by the opportunities ahead as we continue expanding access to legal services and strengthening the communities we serve.”

“I’m honored to return to Legal Aid and build on its strong foundation as I lead its talented, dedicated staff in this important work,” Amber said. ““At this critical moment, when many individuals and families are facing serious legal challenges, Legal Aid’s work is more necessary and urgent than ever. I’m eager to bring my energy, optimism, and commitment to advancing justice in our communities.”

Amber succeeds Alicia Johnson, who is retiring in April after 15 years of distinguished service that strengthened and expanded Legal Aid’s impact throughout western Missouri.