John W. Kurtz

Daniel P. Wheeler is a partner with the firm of Kembell Woods & Martinsen LLP. Mr. Wheeler focuses his practice on fiduciary litigation, probate administration, adult and minor guardianships, and mediation in cases throughout Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Wheeler served as a Probate Commissioner for the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri for more than fourteen years. As Probate Commissioner, he presided over family and fiduciary disputes in trust and probate matters, including fiduciary...

Sean has extensive trial and litigation experience through his 27 years of civil defense practice. He represents national transportation companies in cases involving personal injury, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), grade crossing accidents, property damage, cumulative trauma exposure and other accident investigation and defense. His litigation experience includes a record of success in jury verdicts and pre-trial motion practice. He regularly serves on initial response teams fo...

Attorney Jill Presley, a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri, has devoted her legal career to supporting those seeking personal injury representation. Her deep connections to the community provide her with a unique perspective and genuine empathy, helping her build trust and rapport with her clients. As a Partner and Co-Founder of Presley & Presley LLC, Jill Presley focuses her practice on addressing catastrophic personal injury cases such as semi-truck and auto crashes, sexual abu...

Daniel A. Singer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Daniel A., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Curtis R. Summers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Curtis R., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Curtis R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

It’s no surprise Tim Dollar is considered one of the top trial lawyers in America. He has tried more than 286 jury trials, has won hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients and orchestrated major company and legislative policy changes that make our world safer. Highlights of Tim’s civil practice include Bresette v. Brassfield and Gorre, et. al, a nationally publicized story about the devasting collapse of a flight display board at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airpo...

Scott R. Manuel brings over 30 years of experience practicing in the areas of fiduciary litigation, estate planning, probate, trust and guardianship law to Kembell Woods & Martinsen LLP. Prior to joining KWM, Scott served as the Probate Commissioner for the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri starting in November 2014 following his initial appointment as the court’s Deputy Probate Commissioner in January 2014. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Scott was a shareholder with...

Melody Rayl is a partner in the Kansas City office. Melody counsels and advocates for private and public-sector employers in all aspects of employment litigation and traditional labor law. Melody regularly advises and counsels her clients through difficult situations with an eye to preventing litigation before it occurs and provides training to supervisory and management level personnel on a variety of employment related topics. When litigation does occur, Melody works with employers in defen...

Bob Kirkland is a founding partner of Kirkland Hochstetler PLLC and practices in Kansas City, Missouri. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Kansas and Florida. Mr. Kirkland represents individuals, families, and fiduciaries in a wide range of trusts and estates matters, including estate planning, trust formation, and estate and trust administration. His work includes the preparation of wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, charitable trusts, and trusts fo...

Samuel K. Cullan, M.D., J.D. is a medical doctor, engineer, and Board-Certified Trial Lawyer. Dr. Sam Cullan is well known as an advocate for catastrophic injury victims of trucking accidents and medical malpractice, handling difficult cases such as birth injuries and brain and spinal cord injuries in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Arizona. He graduated with honors from the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering and went on to be elected to the Nebraska Stat...