 Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP is pleased to announce that St. Louis partner John Challis has been selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation.
John is a 2000 graduate of Truman State University who received his Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from Saint Louis University in 2004. In addition to being a Fellow of LCA, John is also a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. As such, he is one of very few who has been recognized for excellence in both trusts and estates law, as well as litigation. The only other attorney who holds both of these distinctions in the State of Missouri is KWM partner Bob Selsor. John is also the Chair of the Missouri Bar Probate and Trust Division and has been ranked as a “Band One” attorney for Private Wealth Disputes by Chambers. John has been named as the “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for Trust and Estates Litigation, as well as a “Top 100 Lawyer” in Missouri and Kansas a “Top 50 Lawyer” in St. Louis by SuperLawyers on numerous occasions. John serves clients by providing counseling, advice, and litigation support on matters relating to fiduciary relationships, will and trust contests, and all other disputes arising from asset transfer. ABOUT KIRKLAND WOODS & MARTINSEN LLP: Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP focuses its practice on estate planning, administration, litigation, and related matters. The firm has four offices in Liberty, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; and St. Louis, Missouri. The firm has twenty-one attorneys across these offices and assists individual and business clients in all matters relates to trusts and estates. More information is available at www.kwm-law.com. ABOUT LCA: Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA is aggressively diverse in its composition and represents the best in law among its membership. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity and inclusion to align effectively, with recognition of excellence in litigation across all segments of the bar. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level, or are independent practitioners with recognized experience and accomplishment. In addition, the LCA is dedicated to promoting superior advocacy, professionalism, and ethical standards among its Fellows. Learn more about LCA at www.litcounsel.org/
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 Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP is pleased to announce that thirteen of its attorneys have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as leaders in the legal profession for 2024. Ten of those KWM attorneys were listed in the 2024 Best Lawyers list. Of those ten, KWM partners Bob Kirkland, Scott Martinsen, and John Challis were also recognized as the "Lawyer of the Year" in their respective practices and locations. Finally, KWM attorneys Joshua Rose, Brandon Oldham, and Shane Rader were listed in the 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list. KWM was also again the "Top Listed" law firm for Litigation - Trust and Estates in Missouri having more attorneys (7) ranked by Best Lawyers in that practice area than any other firm in the State. This is the fourth straight year that KWM has received this distinction.
Since it was first published more than three decades ago, Best Lawyers has become a definitive guide to legal excellence, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. "We are thrilled with the continued recognition of our attorneys by Best Lawyers" says KWM managing partner John Challis. "These recognitions are a testament to our firm and our attorneys' commitment to client and community service." Those attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers are:
The attorneys recognized as "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers is:
Those attorneys recognized as "Lawyers of the Year" by Best Lawyers are:
To learn more about any of the KWM attorneys referenced above, please click on their names to be taken to their bio pages. To learn more about any of our professionals, click here. If you need to contact us by telephone or visit us in person, please see information about our offices here. ABOUT KIRKLAND WOODS & MARTINSEN LLP Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP focuses its practice on estate planning, administration, litigation, and related matters. The firm has four offices in Liberty, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; and St. Louis, Missouri. The firm has twenty-one attorneys across these offices and assists individual and business clients in all matters relates to trusts and estates. More information is available at www.kwm-law.com. ABOUT BEST LAWYERS Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. For 40 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers awards are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe. Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Our awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can these top lawyers be recognized by Best Lawyers.  Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP is honored to again be recognized by the elite Chambers and Partners ranking service in its High Net Worth Guide for 2023. This year, KWM was the only law firm that received the top "Band One" ranking in both Missouri and Kansas for Private Wealth Law. It is one of only four law firms in Missouri to achieve this rating and one of only three in Kansas. Chambers identifies and ranks firms and individuals based on the independent efforts of its over 200 research professionals that discuss KWM and other firms with references from across the country. In all, five KWM partners were also individually rated. About KWM, those references stated things such as:
In addition to being ranked as a firm in the top tier, five KWM partners were individually recognized. This total too exceeds any other firm's ranked attorneys in Missouri and Kansas. They are: Scott Martinsen was ranked in Band One in Kansas for Private Wealth Law for the seventh straight year. About Scott, the references remarked that "Scott is a superior technician and has amazing client relationship management." And also that "When you have a client with sophisticated needs, you go to Scott." Robert Selsor was ranked in Band One in Missouri for Private Wealth Disputes for the fourth straight year. In discussing Bob, one reference stated: "I can't say enough good things about Bob Selsor. His level of intelligence and professionalism is extraordinary." John Challis was also ranked in Band One in Missouri for Private Wealth Disputes for the third straight year. "John Challis is smart, analytical and is always thinking a step ahead. He is aware of trending issues in this area of the law and how it may impact a particular matter." Bob Kirkland was the only attorney ranked in Kansas City Missouri for Private Wealth Law. In discussing Bob, one market commentator stated: "I think the world of him. He is extremely sharp, has such a good bedside manner, keeps great client relations, and is very thorough and responsive." Emily Kembell was the only attorney ranked in Springfield Missouri for Private Wealth Law. References stated that "Emily is very professional and very respected in our estate planning community," and that "Emily is one of my go-to referrals for complex estate planning situations." ABOUT KIRKLAND WOODS & MARTINSEN LLP Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP focuses its practice on estate planning, administration, litigation, and related matters. The firm has four offices in Liberty, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; and St. Louis, Missouri. The firm has twenty attorneys across these offices and assists individual and business clients in all matters relates to trusts and estates. More information is available at www.kwm-law.com.
 Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP has once again been ranked in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list. The firm was awarded a "Tier 1" metropolitan ranking in each of its four offices - the highest designation given. In addition, the firm was recognized nationally.
Firms included in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise and recognizes the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. To be eligible for a “Best Law Firms” ranking, a firm must have a lawyer recognized in The Best Lawyers in America©, which honors only 5% of lawyers practicing in the United States. KWM's "Best Law Firms" ranking is supported by eight attorneys who are individually recognized as “Best Lawyers in America," and one attorney recognized on the Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list. Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP received the following rankings in the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms": Trusts & Estates Law
Litigation - Trusts & Estates
Commercial Litigation
ABOUT KIRKLAND WOODS & MARTINSEN LLP Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP focuses its practice on estate planning, administration, litigation, and related matters. The firm has four offices in Liberty, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; and St. Louis, Missouri. The firm has twenty attorneys across these offices and assists individual and business clients in all matters relates to trusts and estates. More information is available at www.kwm-law.com. ABOUT "BEST LAW FIRMS" The U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in the field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a 2023 ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer recognized in the 13th edition of The Best Lawyers in America® list for that particular location and specialty. ABOUT U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C. ABOUT BEST LAWYERS Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. For 40 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers awards are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe. Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Our awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can these top lawyers be recognized by Best Lawyers.
 The law firm of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP is very pleased to announce that Robert J. Selsor has joined its St. Louis office as a partner. Mr. Selsor, who previously chaired the estate litigation practice group of a national law firm, brings more than three decades of experience and will continue his practice in fiduciary litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution.
“We are absolutely thrilled to add Bob to our team,” said John Challis, Managing Partner of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP. “I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Bob for a long time, and we firmly believe that Bob joining KWM will be a huge benefit to our firm and our clients. He is an incredible attorney and an even better person.” “I have known and respected the attorneys of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen for a long time, and I am very excited to join them,” said Bob Selsor. “The smaller size and defined focus of KWM will provide some cost savings to my clients, but more importantly allow us to leverage the largest group of fiduciary litigators in the State of Missouri and one of the deepest bench of trust and estates expertise in the region.” Mr. Selsor earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri, where he was also selected as a Fulbright Scholar. Bob is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and has been selected for inclusion over multiple years by Chambers USA in its Private Wealth Guide, by Best Lawyers in the fields of Trust and Estate Litigation and Commercial Litigation, and by SuperLawyers as one of its Top 100 Lawyers in Missouri and Top 50 Lawyers in St. Louis. Bob is a frequent author and speaker, and is also heavily involved with The Missouri Bar, where he has drafted several estate-related statutes and previously served as Chair of the Fiduciary Litigation Committee. Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP has offices in St. Louis, Missouri; Liberty, Missouri; Springfield, Missouri; and Overland Park, Kansas. Since its founding in 2000, the firm has concentrated its practice in trusts and estates law, with capacity in closely-held corporate and real estate law as well. Eight attorneys with the firm are active Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Bob Selsor can be reached by telephone at 314-944-5204, by email at rselsor@kwm-law.com, or by visiting his profile here.
 Kirkland Woods & Martinsen is pleased to announce that Andrew M. Mitchell, a partner in the firm’s St. Louis office with expertise in estate planning and administration, has been elected as the firm's seventh Fellow in The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel ("ACTEC"). ACTEC is a nonprofit association of lawyers and law professors skilled and experienced in estate planning and probate. Its more than 2,400 members are called "Fellows" and practice throughout the United States, Canada and other foreign countries. To qualify for membership, a lawyer must have no less than 10 years' experience in the active practice of probate and trust law or estate planning and are elected based on their outstanding reputation, exceptional skill, and substantial contributions to the field by lecturing, writing, teaching and participating in bar activities. To learn more about ACTEC, please visit its website. Kirkland Woods & Martinsen has four offices in Missouri and Kansas. Since 2000, the firm has concentrated its practice in trusts and estates law, as well as corporate and real estate law. To learn more about Andrew's practice, visit his bio or contact him at amitchell@kwm-law.com or 314-944-5202. |
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