Our Portland office has an opportunity for a highly motivated and skilled litigation paralegal. View the job description here.
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Baker Sterchi secured summary judgment for a Kansas City landlord client named as a defendant in a catastrophic injury lawsuit filed in Clay County Circuit Court, Missouri.
The case arose after the plaintiff was seriously injured while using a man basket attached to a forklift on the client’s property. The plaintiff alleged the man basket, supplied by a co-defendant, was unapproved, lacked safety features and violated OSHA standards.
The plaintiff brought claims for negligence, product defect and failure to warn, asserting the landlord client failed to exercise reasonable care related to premises activities.
Baker Sterchi filed a motion for summary…
Continue Reading Court Sides with Baker Sterchi Landlord Client in Catastrophic Injury Suit

Baker Sterchi professionals Jay Colon and Carol Eiskant have been named 2025 Unsung Legal Heroes by Missouri Lawyers Media. The award honors law firm staff who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty, often behind the scenes.
Colon, a litigation support supervisor, was recognized in the information technology category. Based in the firm’s Kansas City office, he coordinates electronic discovery and supports trial preparation and courtroom electronic presentation.
“Jay is one of those rare professionals who consistently delivers excellent results, regardless of the pressure,” said Charniece Rollie, director of administration.
Eiskant, a receptionist in the St. Louis office,…
Continue Reading Two Baker Sterchi Professionals Named 2025 Unsung Legal Heroes

Baker Sterchi attorney Michelle Meloche, based in the firm’s St. Louis office, has been appointed co-vice chair of the American Health Law Association (AHLA) Health Care Liability and Litigation Practice Group. Her term runs through 2028.
A member of the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group, Meloche defends hospitals, physicians and other health care providers in medical malpractice matters. She also chairs the Healthcare Liability Committee of the Professional Liability Defense Federation and is active in several other professional organizations, including the ABA Health Law Section, DRI Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee, Illinois State Bar Association Health Care Law and…
Continue Reading Michelle Meloche Appointed AHLA Health Care Practice Group Co-Vice Chair

Baker Sterchi Member Gregorio Silva has been named the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) City Lead for Kansas City. Beginning in fall 2025, he will also mentor a first-year law student through the LCLD “Success in Law School” Mentoring Program. He previously served as a mentor during the 2024–2025 academic year.
City Leads serve as alumni ambassadors, helping strengthen connections among LCLD alumni in their city through local events and programs. The mentoring program supports first-year law students from diverse backgrounds, providing resources to help them succeed in law school and beyond. Silva will meet monthly with his mentee…
Continue Reading Gregorio Silva Takes on Leadership, Mentorship Roles with LCLD

Baker Sterchi Member Jackie Longfellow has been named to Missouri Lawyers Media’s 2025 Employment Law POWER List.
The list recognizes 39 of Missouri’s most influential employment law attorneys, selected by the publication’s editorial team following a review of employment-related verdicts and settlements and Missouri Lawyers Weekly archives.
Longfellow is a civil defense trial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience handling all aspects of civil and employment litigation. She advises clients on workplace policies, employment law compliance and day-to-day personnel matters, and regularly defends employers facing discrimination charges before local, state and federal agencies.
She chairs Baker Sterchi’s Employment…
Continue Reading Jackie Longfellow Earns Spot on Employment Law POWER List

Baker Sterchi is pleased to welcome Allisandra Kuni as a 2025 summer law clerk in the firm’s Portland office.
Kuni is a rising 3L at Gonzaga University School of Law, where she serves as co-president of the Women’s Law Caucus. She previously volunteered with the law school’s Moderate Means Program and worked as a law clerk at a Spokane-based defense firm during her 2L year. Kuni is also a licensed participant in the Washington State Bar Association’s Rule 9 Law Clerk Program. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science and global affairs, with a minor in Spanish, from the…
Continue Reading Baker Sterchi Welcomes 2025 Portland Summer Law Clerk

Baker Sterchi attorney David Vaughn’s article, “From Seinfeld to Streaming: Helping Today’s Associates Find Their Why and Thrive,” appears in the July/August edition of DRI’s The Brief Case. The article offers guidance on how law firms can evolve to better support young attorneys as they define their purpose and professional direction.
Vaughn defends physicians, hospitals and other medical professionals in medical malpractice and personal injury matters. He serves on DRI’s Membership Committee and is second vice chair of the Young Lawyers Committee. He earned his law degree from Washington University School of Law and is admitted to practice in…
Continue Reading David Vaughn Article on Changing Associate Expectations Published in DRI's The Brief Case

Baker Sterchi secured summary judgment for a regional supplier of livestock buildings in a wrongful death case filed in Harrison County Circuit Court in Missouri.
The lawsuit stemmed from a fatal fire at a hog barn following a propane leak. The plaintiff alleged negligent design and reconstruction of the barn and claimed the fire resulted from improper servicing and testing of the propane system. Our client, one of five defendants, was accused of contributing to the incident through its work on the facility.
The court granted summary judgment in favor of our client, finding that under the Missouri Acceptance Doctrine,…
Continue Reading Summary Judgment Obtained for Defendant Livestock Building Supplier in Wrongful Death Suit

Baker Sterchi Member Meghan Kane has been re-elected to the Illinois Defense Counsel (IDC) Board of Directors through June 2028. Her re-election was confirmed at the organization’s annual meeting on June 20.
Kane focuses her civil defense practice on complex business litigation matters, including product liability, premises liability and toxic torts. She serves as national asbestos and toxic tort counsel for a leading provider of merchandise displays, refrigeration systems and installation services to food retailers. Her experience also includes defending personal injury claims involving auto and construction accidents, slip-and-fall incidents and Dram Shop cases, as well as representing municipalities and…
Continue Reading Meghan Kane Re-Elected to Illinois Defense Counsel's Board of Directors

Baker Sterchi attorneys successfully resolved a guardianship matter referred through the Legal Aid of Western Missouri Volunteer Attorney Project. The client, a paternal grandmother, had served as guardian of the minor child since shortly after his birth. In recent years, several maternal relatives filed actions seeking to terminate the guardianship. The firm’s attorneys represented the client through multiple proceedings, ultimately securing a resolution that preserves her role as guardian.
Continue Reading Guardianship Preserved in Pro Bono Matter

ABSTRACT: The Court of Appeals affirms Missouri federal court opinion limiting the scope of coverage for “Additional Named Insured,” holding they cannot recover lost rental income and “soft costs” under the policy.

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Continue Reading Insurance Shake-Up: Eighth Circuit Upholds Limitations on Policy Coverage for "Additional Named Insured" Parties

Baker Sterchi is pleased to announce the promotion of Amy Nevad to Director of Office Operations. She brings 16 years of operations experience, including the past five years guiding the firm’s St. Louis and Belleville offices.
In her expanded role, Nevad is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm’s branch offices in St. Louis, Belleville, Edwardsville, Seattle and Portland. Her responsibilities include supervising staff, implementing firm policies and procedures, and ensuring each office meets the needs of employees, clients and stakeholders. She is also involved in strategic planning, budgeting, facility management and project management.
Nevad serves on the firm’s…
Continue Reading Amy Nevad Promoted to Director of Office Operations