Best Lawyers in Missouri, United States for Trusts and Estates

Katie Moore joined the firm as Of Counsel in April, 2018 and practices primarily in the firm's office in Springfield, Missouri. Ms. Moore focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and probate administration, business succession planning and mediation. ​Ms. Moore received her Juris Doctor degree and LL.M. in Tax from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and a LL.M. in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Missouri - Columbia. While at UMKC, Ms. Moore was an intern law...

Lawrence Brody retired as an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, after fifty years of teaching Estate Planning and Drafting. He is a visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami Law School, teaching a course on Life Insurance. Mr. Brody is the author or co-author of numerous articles and books on the use of life insurance in estate and employee benefit planning, including two BNA Tax Management Portfolios, two books for the National Underwriter Company, and a nu...

Douglas D. Lee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Douglas D., who practices law in Springfield, Missouri, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bridget Nave is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Bridget, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bridget is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Heidi M. Ottsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Heidi M., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heidi M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melissa G. Nolan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Melissa G., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Donald Paule has extensive experience representing closely-held businesses and not-for-profit organizations. He advises clients on all aspects of the organization and operation of the client’s business including complex sale, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate development transactions. In addition, an extensive portion of his practice is devoted to tax and estate planning matters for individuals, and business owners, including ownership succession planning.

Harvard Muhm approaches his clients in a comprehensive way that transcends formulaic estate planning: Mr. Muhm is known for being independent-minded and an advocate for his clients. His knowledge of the law and experience with a wide variety of investment strategies enables him to bring his clients’ advisors together to work as a team. This multi-disciplinary approach leverages opportunities and enhances the benefits to the clients. Harvard served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothe...

Mr. Keller is a member in our wealth strategies and corporate practice areas. He concentrates his practice in estate planning, probate and general business, corporate law and succession planning. Mr. Keller is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law in the Master's of Taxation Program where he teaches a class in business succession planning. Mr. Keller is a frequent lecturer and speaker on estate planning, business succession planning and tax issues. He has authored ar...

Rochelle B. Falk is an attorney with over 25 years’ experience in the Estate Planning & Probate legal industry. Clients rely on Rochelle to have in-depth and meaningful discussions about their personal situation and assets to create individual, comprehensive, and flexible estate plans by utilizing trusts, wills and power of attorney documents. Additionally, Rochelle counsels’ clients as trustees and beneficiaries during the administration of trust and probate estates, as well ...

Matthew J. Madsen’s practice includes the representation of affluent private clients in the structure and implementation of complex estate and wealth transfer planning strategies, estate and trust administration and litigation, and audits of gift and estate tax returns. Mr. Madsen advises private clients on their charitable giving strategies, ranging from charitable pledge agreements, donor-advised funds, supporting organizations to private foundations. Mr. Madsen similarly advises tax-...