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AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Fiduciary Litigation

• Probate, Trust & Estate Administration

• Guardianships & Conservatorships

• Alternative Dispute Resolution

EDUCATION

• Saint Louis University
  School of Law
  J.D., magna cum laude, 2004
  Alpha Sigma Nu
  Jesuit Honor Society
  Order of the Woolsack
  Managing Editor, Saint Louis
  University Public Law Review
  Dean’s List
  Academic Excellence Award:

  • Constitutional Law

  • Legal Profession

  • Jurisprudence

• Truman State University
  B.S., Biology, 2000

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BAR ADMISSIONS​

• Missouri 

• Illinois

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Experience

John Challis is the Managing Partner of Kembell Woods & Martinsen. John protects individual and business clients, diligently working toward the best possible outcome in all their contested matters. Focused in the area of trust and fiduciary litigation, John is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Litigation Counsel of America, and The American Bar Foundation.  John is also the Chair of the Probate and Trust Division of The Missouri Bar 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. John has significant trial and appellate experience throughout the State of Missouri.

Although John is fully prepared to proceed through trial, he understands the value of alternative dispute resolution and is fully versed in utilizing mediation and arbitration to obtain favorable results for clients. John has completed the University of Missouri’s Mediation Training and has met all requirements of Rule 17 to act as a mediator or arbitrator. John regularly acts as a mediator in trust and estate disputes.

Outside of the courtroom, John is a frequent author and speaker on issues relating to fiduciary relationships. John and his wife Bridget reside in St. Louis County.