Joseph C. Blanton, Jr.

John Challis is the Managing Partner at Kembell Woods & Martinsen, where he advocates for individuals and businesses in a wide range of contested matters. With a focus on fiduciary litigation and administration, John is recognized for delivering outstanding results for his clients through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. ​He counsels clients on fiduciary relationships, disputed administration, will and trust contests, and asset transfer disputes, drawing on substantial trial and ap...

Lisa A. Pake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Insurance and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Lisa A., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa A. is held by other top lawye...

Robert L. Ortbals Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Robert L., who practices law in Saint Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Bradley Young has almost thirty years of experience in all aspects of workers compensation defense in both Missouri and Illinois, including the investigation of claims, trials, and appellate work. Mr. Young has spoken before corporate organizations and at in-house client seminars for many years, and frequently lectures for nationally known seminar companies on topics relating to workers’ compensation claims, employer liability, and third-party administration of claims.

Mara J. Lahnar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Mara J., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mara J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric P. Hall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Eric P., who practices law in Edwardsville, Illinois, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Layton joined the firm in 2017 after serving more than 22 years in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office—nearly all of those as the State’s principal civil appellate lawyer, Solicitor General. Jim practices in both appellate and trial courts, particularly in matters involving complex legal questions, including those arising under the U.S. and Missouri constitutions, Missouri school funding and other education statutes, discrimination laws, and Missouri tax laws. He repr...

For more than 25 years, Jim Adkins has represented real estate developers and investors and has helped them reduce risk and add value with respect to their real estate holdings and developments. He regularly counsels clients through all aspects of their real estate projects, including acquisition, financing, leasing, governmental and zoning approvals, incentives, management, operations and dispositions. His leasing experience includes the drafting and negotiating of build to suit, ground, ret...

Stephen L. Beimdiek is a proven litigator with more than 32 years of trial experience. He engages in all aspects of civil litigation and has successfully tried approximately 50 cases to verdict before state and federal courts. Mr. Beimdiek’s trial background includes claims involving business/commercial disputes, contracts, personal injury, construction, real estate transactions, medical malpractice, industrial accidents, premises liability, products liability and consumer warranty. He ...

Cary J. Mogerman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and Past President of the national organization (2022). He was honored to be recognized as the AAML "Fellow of the Year" for 2018-19. He is one of the 100 Diplomates of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers (ACFTL). He has been listed in "Best Lawyers" since 1999, and named its "Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, St. Louis" three times: 2024, 2019, and 2009. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy ...