Shannon K. Barks

Jeff Kennard chairs SAKG's Construction & Design practice group and is also a member of the firm's Business & Commercial litigation practice group. He has tried or arbitrated more than 20 cases to verdict or award. His clients include publicly-traded companies, several of America's largest private companies, and small businesses. Although Jeff advises clients at all phases of a construction project, the principal focus of his practice is dispute resolution. For more than two decades, ...

Michael Matula is a shareholder in the firm’s Kansas City office. Mike concentrates his practice in the areas of employment litigation and counseling. He has represented employers in a wide variety of employment matters including discrimination, retaliation, harassment and wrongful discharge cases, non-competition/trade secrets disputes, and EEOC administrative proceedings. Mike, who has been given an AV Martindale-Hubbell rating, also has significant experience in commercial, tort, and...

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...

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...

Bob Kirkland is the Founding Partner of the law firm of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP, which has offices in Liberty, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. He works with a variety of individual clients, handling the preparation of Wills, Living Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Irrevocable Trusts, Charitable Trusts and Minor’s Trusts, and counseling clients in the areas of gifting techniques, asset protect...

Shelley I. Ericsson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Shelley I., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shelley I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

David M. Mayer is the managing shareholder of Monsees & Mayer, P.C., in Kansas City, Missouri, where he focuses on advocating for victims of sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents, and premises liability. A Kansas City native, David is dedicated to seeking justice for his clients, particularly children and the elderly harmed by the negligence of others. Notable cases include a $5 million verdict for a swimming pool negligence inciden, $24 million dollar sexual abuse verdict and numerous mu...

Ryan J. Gavin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Ryan J., 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 Ryan J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew E. Birch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Matthew E., 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 Matthew E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.