BSCR Firm News/Blogs Feed

Shore and Watt Appointed Co-Chairs of Construction Trial & Litigation Practice Group

16 May 2025

Baker Sterchi Members Heather Shore and John Watt have been named co-chairs of the firm’s Construction Trial & Litigation Practice Group. The group represents general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in complex construction disputes involving delay and interruption claims, scope of work issues, unforeseen conditions, federal contract matters, professional negligence, surety bond claims and more, serving clients across the United States.

Shore, based in Kansas City, brings nearly 30 years of experience in construction, surety and commercial litigation. She serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Construction, Commercial and Consumer Arbitrators. She is president of the Kansas Bar Association’s Construction Law Section and a member and committee leader of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Construction and Surety sections. Currently, she is helping organize the ABA Forum on Construction Law Regional Program, a two-day event to be held in Kansas City in the fall.

Shore frequently speaks for local and national organizations on managing and litigating construction delay claims, contract drafting, dispute resolution, and surety claims handling and loss mitigation strategies, including for the American Bar Association, Construction Super Conference and Defense Research Institute. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for construction law in the Kansas City metropolitan area since 2013 and Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, including in Top 50 Women, Top 50 Attorneys and Top 50 Kansas City Business Attorneys. She is licensed to practice in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Texas.

Also based in Kansas City, Watt defends businesses in high-stakes litigation involving construction, product liability and toxic torts. He has extensive trial experience in state and federal courts and has handled hundreds of expert depositions, appellate arguments and arbitration proceedings. He is a steering committee member and the marketing chair of ALFA International’s Construction Law Practice Group, where he co-chaired recent seminars in Santa Barbara and Whistler. He is a frequent speaker at ALFA Construction Law seminars and regularly contributes to ALFA’s Construction Law Compendium for Missouri and Kansas.

Watt is also a member of the National Bond Claims Association and the Product Liability Advisory Committee. His recognitions include The Best Lawyers in America for construction law and construction litigation in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, and the Missouri Lawyers Media Construction POWER List since its inception. He is licensed to practice in Missouri, Kansas and Massachusetts.

Looking ahead, the group plans to expand its alternative dispute resolution services and explore legal strategies related to ESG compliance, supply chain challenges and infrastructure investment, priorities Shore and Watt intend to advance in their new leadership roles.

Megan Stumph-Turner to Speak at ALFA Business Litigation Seminar

16 May 2025

On May 29, Baker Sterchi Member Megan Stumph-Turner will speak at the ALFA International (ALFA) Business Litigation Practice Group Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee. Her session, “Robopocalypse or Singularity? A Discussion on AI and Its Impact on In-House Counsel and Legal Practice,” will explore the legal, ethical and strategic implications of artificial intelligence.

Stumph-Turner is based in the firm’s Kansas City office and focuses her practice on civil litigation, including creditors’ rights, financial services, real estate, construction and commercial litigation. She serves on the steering committees for ALFA’s Business Litigation and Women’s Initiative Practice Groups and is president of the Earl E. O’Connor American Inn of Court. She also co-chairs the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group and is licensed in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

Baker Sterchi is the Kansas City, Missouri, and Overland Park, Kansas, member firm of ALFA International, a global network of 140 independent law firms that provides educational programs for attorneys and clients across a range of practice areas.

Scott Kreamer Named to 2025 Missouri Lawyers Media Business Defense POWER List

15 May 2025

For the fifth year in a row, Baker Sterchi Managing Member Scott Kreamer has earned recognition on Missouri Lawyers Media’s Business Defense POWER List.

The Business Defense POWER List features the 34 most powerful business defense attorneys in Missouri as identified by Missouri Lawyers Media’s editorial team after reviewing records of verdicts and settlements, interviewing attorneys and other leaders around the state, and examining Missouri Lawyers Weekly archives.

Kreamer is an experienced trial attorney, trying a wide variety of commercial, construction, financial services, insurance and product liability cases in state and federal courts. He has also served as national counsel for clients in the areas of toxic tort litigation and financial services.

Kreamer is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a past chairman of the board and president of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, both of which are invitation-only organizations. He is currently serving as President on the board of directors of Lawyers for Civil Justice, a coalition of defense bar organizations, law firms and corporations committed to reform in the civil justice system.

Bob Christie and Megan Coluccio Co-Present at 36th Annual Hilton Head Client Retreat

14 May 2025

On May 7, Baker Sterchi members Bob Christie and Megan Coluccio co-presented “The AI Advantage: Optimizing Trial Prep and Litigation” at the 36th Annual Hilton Head Client Retreat in South Carolina. The session focused on how AI tools are being integrated to enhance trial preparation and streamline litigation in the legal industry.

Christie, based in the firm’s Seattle office, is a seasoned trial attorney whose practice focuses on defending professionals, companies, governmental entities, law enforcement officers and individuals in high exposure matters. He is a member of several peer-selected defense organizations, including the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, International Association of Defense Counsel and Lawyers for Civil Justice, where he serves on the board of directors. He is also a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, where he previously served as president and chair of the board. In addition, Christie is a past faculty member and guest presenter at the IADC Trial Academy. He co-chairs Baker Sterchi’s Trial & Appellate Practice Group. He earned his law degree from Seattle University School of Law and is admitted to practice in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Coluccio, also based in the firm’s Seattle office, focuses on complex civil rights, professional negligence and municipal liability cases. She is a member of three peer-selected defense organizations: the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, International Association of Defense Counsel and Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. Within those groups, she serves as vice chair of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel’s Civil Rights & Public Entity Liability Committee and its FedLife Committee, and as membership chair for the West Region and chair of the “We Prefer to Refer” Committee for the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. She also co-chairs both Baker Sterchi’s Governmental Agencies/Public Entities Practice Group and Trial & Appellate Practice Group. Coluccio earned her law degree from Seattle University School of Law and is admitted to practice in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

The multi-day Hilton Head Client Retreat, sponsored by Baker Sterchi along with several other law firms from across the country, featured nearly 15 separate sessions, as well as optional activities such as golf, pickleball and ping-pong, and ample networking opportunities.

Coluccio, Schneidewind Lead Governmental Agencies Practice Group

13 May 2025

Megan Coluccio and David Schneidewind have been named co-chairs of the firm’s recently formed Governmental Agencies Practice Group, which defends public entities and related agencies in civil litigation, inquest hearings and other legal matters.

Coluccio, a trial lawyer in the firm’s Seattle office, focuses on claims related to catastrophic injury, Section 1983 civil rights, professional liability and municipal liability. She is an active member of three prestigious defense organizations: the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. Coluccio serves as vice chair of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel’s Civil Rights & Public Entity Liability Committee, chairs the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys’ national “We Prefer to Refer Committee,” and is the membership chair for the organization’s West Region. Additionally, she co-chairs Baker Sterchi’s Trial & Appellate Practice Group. Coluccio is admitted to practice in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and earned her law degree from Seattle University School of Law.

Schneidewind, based in the firm’s Belleville office, represents governmental entities in corporate and administrative matters. He also represents railroads in Federal Employers Liability Act cases, handles toxic tort matters and provides insurance defense. Schneidewind serves as legal counsel to villages, townships, water districts, a port district, park district, a seven-county planning commission, a 911 board, and various departments of a local county. He also acts as a special Assistant State’s Attorney in St. Clair County and serves as an arbitrator for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court. Additionally, Schneidewind has mediated various UIM matters. He earned his law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and is admitted to practice in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

In addition to the new Governmental Agencies Practice Group, Baker Sterchi has developed related practice areas, including Government Liability Defense, Law Enforcement & Civil Rights Defense and Road Design Defense, to provide comprehensive legal support to public entities and their agencies.

180 Degree Turn in 100 days: The CFPB Under Trump's Second Term

12 May 2025

ABSTRACT: Numerous structural and policy-related changes have occurred to the CFPB since the new administration took office in January 2025. We are following the ever-changing landscape of the CFPB, and an overview of the first 100 days of Trump’s second term follows.

Since January 20, there have been significant restructuring and policy shifts related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).

With the flurry of executive orders and policy shifts since Trump’s second inauguration, it is difficult to track the status of any federal agency and its function from one day to the next. Below is a concise summary of executive orders, appointments and removals, and regulatory activity concerning the CFPB during Trump’s first 100 days in office for his second term.

Removals/Appointments of Directors

February 1: Rohit Chopra is removed from his position as CFPB Director.
February 3: Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, is appointed as Acting Director of the CFPB.
February 7, 2025: Just 4 days later, Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), assumed the Acting Director Role.
February 11, 2025: Jonathan McKernan (former banking lawyer, advisor to the U.S. Treasury, and former Board Member of the FDIC) is nominated to be the permanent CFPB Director.

McKernan’s nomination has been withdrawn in favor of his more recent appointment to become undersecretary of domestic finance for the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Executive Orders and Budget Cuts Impacting the CFPB

14215 (Feb. 18) – directs independent regulatory agencies, including the CFPB, to submit regulations to the OMB for review prior to publishing. This EO also directs the OMB to establish performance standards and objects for independent agency heads, to review independent regulatory agency directors’ actions for compliance and consistency with the President’s policies and priorities, and to report periodically to the President regarding their performance.
House Financial Services Committee cuts the CFPB’s funding from 12% to just 5% of the Federal Reserve’s budget. This follows the April 17 layoff notices to approximately 1,500 staff at the CFPB, which would leave only about 200 personnel. The layoffs are currently undergoing a legal challenge and are currently stayed by an injunction issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

CFPB Actions and Priorities

February 3: Acting Director Bessent issues a directive halting all new enforcement actions, investigations, and rulemaking activities.
February 8, 2025: Acting Director Vought ceases monitoring large banks, predatory lenders, and other financial institutions for consumer protection violations.
May 9: CFPB issues list of nearly 70 policy and regulatory guides, spanning nearly 15 years, which would be rescinded. Director Vought explained that these documents, in providing legal interpretations and bureau priority announcements, either imposed unlawful requirements on impacted companies or unnecessarily increased regulatory burden.
Recently, the CFPB has announced a shift in priorities away from rules concerning Buy-Now-Pay-Later plans and toward addressing financial abuse of veterans.

The future in leadership and enforcement style of the revamped CFPB remains to be seen. We will continue to monitor and share significant updates.

Baker Sterchi Earns Platinum Certification from Healthy KC

09 May 2025

On May 8, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice was recognized with a platinum certification at the Healthy KC 10th Annual Vendor Expo held at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Hosted by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Healthy KC event celebrates organizations committed to improving wellness in the community. Certifications, which range from honorable mention to platinum, are based on five pillars of health: personal health resources, psychosocial work environment, enterprise community involvement and work environment.

The platinum designation is the highest level of recognition, awarded to organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment across all five wellness pillars. Baker Sterchi’s efforts include on-site flu shots, flexible work arrangements, healthy food options, team-building activities, community volunteer opportunities, a wellness room and more.

Charniece Rollie, Baker Sterchi’s Director of Administration, represented the firm at the event. “We are proud to be recognized and remain committed to fostering a work environment that prioritizes the health and wellness of our team,” said Rollie.

Baker Sterchi Sponsors 2025 St. Clair County Law Day Run

09 May 2025

On May 3, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice proudly sponsored the 22^nd Annual Law Day Run held in Belleville, Illinois.

Co-hosted by the St. Clair County Bar Association and the Belleville Running Club, the Law Day Run event is held annually to raise proceeds for the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., and other legal aid organizations, who provide low income and senior residents of southern and central Illinois with high quality civil litigation services to obtain and maintain their basic human needs.

Baker Sterchi Member Laura Beasley represented the firm as a race participant. Beasley is a current board member and past president of the St. Clair County Bar Association.

Baker Sterchi Supports Unity Dinner in St. Louis

07 May 2025

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice was pleased to support the 23rd Annual Unity Dinner, held May 1 at Wei Hong Restaurant in St. Louis. Hosted by the Missouri Asian American Bar Association and co-sponsored by South Asian Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Mound City Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association of St. Louis and Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis, the long-running event celebrates diversity in the legal profession and fosters stronger connections among St. Louis’ diversity bar associations. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour followed by a family-style, nine-course Chinese dinner.

Baker Sterchi attorneys Manni Jandernoa Watson, Jennifer Maloney, Lisa Verity and Teresa Young attended on behalf of the firm. Participation in the Unity Dinner reflects Baker Sterchi’s commitment to building a more inclusive legal profession.

Baker Sterchi Participates in 2025 Law Day Activities

06 May 2025

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice participated in Law Day 2025 at events in both Missouri and Kansas.

On May 1, the firm proudly sponsored the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) Law Day celebration at the Saint Louis Club. The annual event features an awards ceremony, the swearing in of the incoming Board of Governors and a keynote luncheon. Baker Sterchi attorney Paul Venker attended on the firm’s behalf. BAMSL supports legal professionals in the St. Louis region through community service, education and networking.

The following day, Member Heather Shore volunteered as a Law Day speaker at Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kansas. Her visit was part of the Federal Bar Association of the Western Districts of Missouri and Kansas’ coordinated effort to bring Law Day programming to area classrooms. Shore’s presentation focused on “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One,” the official 2025 Law Day theme designated by the American Bar Association.

Recognized annually on May 1, Law Day is an opportunity to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of the country and its continued significance in society.