KWM Again Recognized by Best Lawyers

Kembell Woods & Martinsen is proud to announce that fourteen of its attorneys have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for 2026, highlighting their leadership and excellence in the legal profession. Eleven KWM attorneys were named as "Best Lawyers" in the 2026 edition, and three KWM attorneys were named to the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" list. In addition to being named as "Best Lawyers," KWM partners John Challis and Scott Martinsen again received the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” award in their respective practice areas and geographic regions.

KWM was also named the “Top Listed” law firm in Missouri for Litigation – Trust and Estates, with seven attorneys ranked in this practice area—more than any other firm in the state. This marks the sixth consecutive year KWM has earned this distinction.

Best Lawyers has been a trusted guide to legal excellence for decades, recognized by the legal profession, media, and the public as a reliable and unbiased source for legal referrals. Attorneys selected for The Best Lawyers in America undergo a rigorous peer-review process based on professional expertise and are verified to be in current practice and in good standing. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch highlights emerging legal talent across the United States.

“We are thrilled with the continued recognition of our attorneys by Best Lawyers,” said John Challis, Managing Partner at KWM. “These honors reflect our firm’s unwavering commitment to excellence in client service and community engagement.”

Those attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers are:

• John M. Challis: Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates, and Commercial Litigation

• Rochelle B. Falk: Trusts and Estates

• Emily J. Kembell: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates, and Litigation - Trusts and Estates

• Aaron K. Kirkland: Litigation - Trusts and Estates

• Scott R. Manuel: ​Trusts and Estates and Litigation - Trusts and Estates

• Scott K. Martinsen: Trusts and Estates and Litigation - Trusts and Estates

• Andrew M. Mitchell: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates, and Litigation - Trusts and Estates

• Catherine E. Moore: Trusts and Estates and Litigation - Trusts and Estates

• Robert J. Selsor: Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Commercial Litigation

• Daniel P. Wheeler: Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates

• Richard D. Woods: Trusts and Estates and Tax Law

The attorneys recognized as "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers are:

• Brandon M. Oldham: Trusts and Estates and Tax Law

• Shane C. Rader: Trusts and Estates

• Joshua S. Rose: Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates

Those attorneys recognized as "Lawyers of the Year" by Best Lawyers are:

• John M. Challis: Litigation - Trusts and Estates in St. Louis, Missouri

• Scott K. Martinsen: Litigation - Trusts and Estates in Kansas City, Kansas

To learn more about any of the KWM attorneys honored by Best Lawyers, 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 KWM

KWM 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 LAWYERS

Best Lawyers is the oldest 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. Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized attorneys working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Those who receive high peer reviews then undergo a thorough verification process before they can be recognized by Best Lawyers.