Steven D. "Steve" Soden

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.

John handles a wide variety of legal issues ranging from disputes between business owners to personal injury lawsuits to non-compete allegations to defective construction claims to interpreting insurance policies. It is his broad practice that enables him to see all sides of a client’s problems and help develop effective solutions. He has litigated a number of high-exposure wrongful death and personal injury claims from workplace accidents, product defects, trucking accidents, and insuf...

Robert (“Bobby”) Thrasher is a trial attorney at Monsees & Mayer PC in Kansas City, Missouri, representing plaintiffs in Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. His practice focuses on advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence and misconduct of others, including cases involving sexual abuse , motor vehicle accidents , wrongful death , and other personal injury matters. Bobby approaches each case with careful preparation, strategic litigation plan...

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...

Brennan Delaney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Brennan, who practices law in Independence, Missouri, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brennan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Greg Ballew is a partner in the Kansas City office. Greg has successfully defended employers in state and federal court litigation throughout the United States, obtaining summary judgment, judgment and arbitration awards for employers in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Greg also regularly assists employers who have received charges of discrimination from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)...

J.J. Burns has a national reputation as a go-to-expert on truck crash litigation. Through both jury verdicts and negotiated settlements, he helps truck crash victims and their families hold truck drivers, motor carries and freight brokers accountable for their negligence. Additionally, he works continuously to introduce safer practices and more demanding safety rules in numerous states and across the country. He is currently the Editor of the Journal of Trucking Litigation, and has also serve...

William Perry Brandt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) and Litigation - Securities. William Perry, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William Perry is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nick Hillyard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Nick, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...