Mid-Missouri Area
Jordan Humphreys, JD, CHC (MU '95) has resigned as Manager of MO HealthNet Division's Managed Care Contract Compliance Unit to accept a position as Director of Collections for Health Care Navigator. Mr. Humphreys will be based out of Tampa, Florida.

Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration (DIFP) has announced the appointment of new legislative coordinators: Emily Kalmer, DIFP Legislative Affairs Counsel: Ms. Kalmer represents the Insurance, Finance and Credit Unions divisions. She served previously in Senate Research and as an assistant attorney general in the Litigation Division of the Missouri Attorney General's office. During her time in Senate Research, she handled several DIFP-related bills, including 2009's SAFE Act (which changed regulations of mortgage lending) and the 2011 law that enhanced enforcement authority for the Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. She served as a legal advisor to the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee, which handles most legislation related to the Division of Finance and the Division of Professional Registration. Ms. Kalmer earned her law degree at Washington University in St. Louis. Andy Briscoe, Legislation and Budget Director for the Division of Professional Registration: Mr. Briscoe served as Legislative and Constituent Services Director for the Missouri Department of Corrections. In that role, he handled the Justice Reinvestment Act, a 120-day mental health assessment program for offenders, as well as videoconferencing capability for parole hearings. Previously, he served as counsel for the Department of Public Safety. Prior to that, he was an assistant prosecuting attorney and a lawyer in private practice. Briscoe will oversee all budget and legislative issues for the division's 39 boards and commissions and administrative activities. He starts at the Division of Professional Registration on Jan. 2. Mr. Briscoe earned his law degree at Saint Louis University.

Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce 8 attorneys have been named to partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The attorneys being named reside in seven different cities where the firm has offices. In Jefferson City: Ryan Harding joined the firm in 2008 and maintains an active Litigation practice with an emphasis on Governmental Compliance, Investigations & Litigation and Healthcare Litigation. He counsels businesses, individuals, municipalities and professional associations regarding a full range of state and federal laws, including healthcare law, election and voting law, land use and competitive bidding challenges. Mr. Harding also represents healthcare providers and other clients in disputes with federal, state and local government agencies and in hearings before state licensing boards. In addition to serving as lead counsel in numerous federal, state and administrative bench trials, Mr. Harding has successfully first-chaired multiple jury trials in federal and state court. He also has argued cases in the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern, Western and Southern Districts and in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. Mr. Harding was named a 2012 Missouri Lawyers Weekly “Up & Coming Lawyer.” He has also dedicated a number of hours to pro bono work, and was named to the Missouri Pro Bono Wall of Fame in 2011. Mr. Harding previously worked as a Senior Staff Attorney within the Special Litigation Division of the Missouri Attorney General’s office. He received his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law (2002) and his B.B.A. from Baylor University in Waco, Texas (1998).

St. Louis Area
Steven N. Cousins, an Armstrong Teasdale partner, was recently re-elected to a new 3-year term on the Regional Commerce and Growth Association Board of Directors. He was also re-elected to serve on the 2013 Executive Committee as general counsel. <r/ Cousins has a national practice and reputation in the areas of bankruptcy, reorganization and restructuring. He is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and is the founder of and currently serves as the co-chair of the Financial Restructuring, Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice group. Listed for more than 15 years in The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law, Mr. Cousins received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1980 and B.A. from Yale University in 1977.

Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing workplace law firms, is pleased to announce that three associates have joined the firm’s St. Louis office- Daniel P. O’Donnell, Jr., Carrie L. Kinsella, and Amy J. White. Mr. O’Donnell has represented clients in both state and federal courts as well as before arbitrators. His practice involves all aspects of litigation, including examination of witnesses and arguing motions in jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations, trial preparation, settlement negotiations and mediation.  Mr. O’Donnell’s experience also includes pretrial strategy, dispositive motions, discovery, depositions and client counseling. His employment practice focuses on the defense of employment disputes in federal courts, state courts and administrative agencies.  Dan also advises many retail, manufacturing, bank and service-oriented clients on a wide variety of issues, including hiring, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, arbitration agreements, wage and hour laws, prevailing wage laws, disability discrimination, employee leave rights and workers’ compensation, among other.  He is admitted to practice in Missouri and has practiced in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri as well as the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Kinsella regularly represents and advises employers on various employment-related issues, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, and FMLA, ADA, and FLSA matters.  She advises clients with regard to personnel policies and practices, compliance with state and federal employment laws, and employment agreements.  She has defended employers in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. Ms. Kinsella previously served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois, defending state agencies and officers in employment and civil rights litigation.  Her experience included federal and state court trials and administrative hearings. She received her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and her J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law.  Ms. Kinsella is admitted to practice in Tennessee and Illinois, and has practiced in the United States District Courts for the Western District of Tennessee, the Central District of Illinois, and the Southern District of Illinois. Ms. White concentrates her practice on employment litigation in state and federal court as well as representing her clients in matters before administrative agencies.  She represents public entities, public officials, municipalities and private employers in constitutional and civil rights matters. She is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Women Lawyer’s Association of Greater St. Louis, and is the recipient of the 2012 John R. Essner Young Lawyer of the Year Award from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri for her pro bono work with the Volunteer Lawyer’s Program.  Ms. White is admitted to practice in Missouri, as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Ms. White received her J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law, her M.S.W. from St. Louis University School of Social Work and her B.S. in Social Work from Southeast Missouri State University.  

Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce 8 attorneys have been named to partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The attorneys being named reside in seven different cities where the firm has offices. In St. Louis: Elizabeth P. Feldmeir joined the firm in 2005 and her practice is concentrated in Tax, Real Estate and Banking & Finance. Ms. Feldmeir has extensive experience with matters involving New Markets Tax Credits, federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits, federal and state low-income housing tax credits, Brownfield tax credits and other types of incentivized financing. She represents investors, lenders, developers, community development entities and intermediary entities in traditional real estate and finance transactions as well as transactions that include tax incentives in order to finance the expansion of operating businesses and/or the development of residential, commercial or mixed-use real estate. In addition, Ms. Feldmeir is a frequent speaker at national conferences regarding tax credits. Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Ms. Feldmeir practiced law at a St. Louis firm specializing in the areas of real estate and finance (2004-2005). She received her LL.M. in Taxation from Washington University (2005), as well as her J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Mo. (2004). She received her B.A., magna cum laude, and a Certificate of Business Administration from Saint Louis University (2001). Laura B. Staley joined the firm in 2008 and concentrates her practice exclusively in the area of Labor & Employment law. She routinely represents employers in both federal and state forums across the United States. Ms. Staley has been successful at trial and obtaining summary judgments for employers in lawsuits alleging employment discrimination and breach of employment contract. She provides counsel to employers of all sizes pertaining to various issues including discrimination laws, policies and handbooks, hiring, discipline, leave and discharge issues, and wage and hour issues. In the past four years she has also gained extensive experience in navigating clients through reductions in force. In addition, Ms. Staley sits on the employment law committees of The Missouri Bar and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Ms. Staley practiced employment law at a boutique employment law firm in St. Louis. Ms. Staley received her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law (2002), where she was on the Dean’s List. She earned her B.A., with Departmental Honors, from the University of Missouri (1999). 

Kansas City Area
Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce 8 attorneys have been named to partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The attorneys being named reside in seven different cities where the firm has offices. In Kansas City:  David M. Buffo joined the firm in 2005 after beginning his career at the Kansas City-based Miller Law Firm, P.C. A Business Litigation attorney, Buffo represents clients in all phases of litigation and frequently handles matters involving premise liability issues, contract disputes and collections. Mr. Buffo’s work primarily focuses in the areas of Construction & Design and Transportation. He acts as national counsel for a Fortune 500 transportation service provider, coordinating and directing litigation across the U.S. and Canada, with extensive experience handling cargo loss and damage claims for motor carriers. Additionally, Mr. Buffo represents owners, contractors and subcontractors in all aspects of construction litigation ranging from filing mechanic’s liens and making bond claims to litigating claims for defective work. In addition to his demanding practice, Mr. Buffo contributes to pro bono efforts and was named to the Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame in 2011 for his commitment to help those who cannot afford legal counsel. Mr. Buffo received his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (2003), where he was Managing Editor of UMKC Law Review and graduated Order of the Barristers. He received his M.B.A. from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. (1997), and his B.S.B.A. from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. (1990). Kathryn Goldsmith Lee joined the firm in 2004 upon completing law school. Concentrating her practice in Appellate, Business Litigation and Insurance Litigation law, Ms. Lee represents companies, insurers and individuals in state and federal courts across the country. She handles commercial disputes and contract claims, and has also worked on malpractice defense, insurance coverage disputes and probate litigation matters. Lee has served as co-counsel in trial proceedings in Missouri and Kansas state courts, and in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas. She has also prepared appellate briefs in the Eighth and Tenth Circuits, the Missouri and Kansas Courts of Appeals, and has argued before the Kansas Court of Appeals. Ms. Lee received her J.D., with highest distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law (2004), where she graduated Order of the Coif. She received her B.A., with honors and distinction, from Iowa State University (2001). Aaron J. Mann joined the firm in 2005 after beginning his career as a federal law clerk and subsequently working in-house for a consulting firm. Approximately 18 months ago, he returned to the firm’s Kansas City office after spending four years in Husch Blackwell’s London office. Mr. Mann focuses his practice on Business Litigation, specializing in complex commercial disputes as well as intellectual property litigation. Mr. Mann has handled numerous jury trials and arbitration hearings in disputes throughout the U.S. Many of these disputes contained an International component. He has coordinated the prosecution and defense of numerous cross-border disputes, including assisting foreign clients with U.S. litigation needs and U.S. clients who have commercial disputes in foreign jurisdictions. For several years, Mann has been a key part of Husch Blackwell’s International Services Team, focusing primarily on the firm’s dealings throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Initially upon completing law school, he clerked for the Hon. Gary A. Fenner in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri (2001-2003). Mann earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Neb. (2001), where he was Lead Articles Editor for Creighton Law Review. He received his B.A. from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa (1998). Fang Shen joined the firm in 2005 and practices Commercial Contracting, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Governance and International law. Also part of the Asia Client Services team, Shen’s China-related experience includes counseling U.S. companies on new operations in China; project financing; acquisitions; joint education programs; sourcing and distribution; and joint ventures and related regulatory matters in China. She also routinely assists Chinese businesses with their legal needs in the United States. In 2008, Ms. Shen was named a Missouri Lawyers Weekly “Up & Coming Lawyer” for her influence within the profession of law and the community. Currently, Ms. Shen sits on the Boards of Directors for the Asian Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, the International Relations Council of Kansas City and the Society for Friendship with China. Ms. Shen began her legal career at a Kansas City-based international law firm (2003-2005). A bilingual and bicultural attorney, Ms. Shen received her legal education in the United States and China. She received her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (2003), where she was Note and Comment Editor of UMKC Law Review and graduated with distinction. She received her LL.B., with distinction and an emphasis in business law, from the People’s University of China in Beijing (1998).

Springfield Area
Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce 8 attorneys have been named to partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The attorneys being named reside in seven different cities where the firm has offices. In Springfield: Richard A. Russell joined Husch Blackwell in 2005. His practice focuses in Trusts & Estates, Tax law, and gift and charitable planning for individuals and businesses, including; preparation of tax-exempt, gift, trust, estate and partnership tax returns, and the creation and operation of charitable and other tax-exempt entities. Mr. Russell also advises on Employee Benefits plans including qualified plan design, ERISA and IRS plan document compliance and plan administration with a focus on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Mr. Russell is a member of The Missouri Bar’s 2011 Pro Bono Wall of Fame and Leadership Springfield Class XXIII. In 2008, he was named to Springfield Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and was the Springfield Sunrise Rotarian of the Year. In 2007, he received the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association President's Award. Russell received his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law-Camden in Camden, N.J. (2004), where he was Articles Editor for Rutgers Law Journal. He received a B.S. in Accountancy from Arizona State University (1996). Prior to entering law school, Russell worked in public accounting, gaining experience in tax, accounting and auditing. He is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Missouri.

.

ESQ. is a weekly publication of The Missouri Bar,
P.O. Box 119, Jefferson City, MO 65102.