in and out of the courtroom

Matthew Tillma816.448.9374

Missouri's mechanic's lien statute for new residential property contains conflicting notice provisions that can result in the loss of lien rights, even when an owner fails to record a required notice. Until courts provide guidance, contractors must take proactive steps to protect their rights.

Brian G. Maxey206.973.8680

Baker Sterchi attorney Brian Maxey of the Seattle office has been appointed to the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety (WADEPS) Data Governance Advisory Committee.

Megan Sterchi Lammert816.448.9358

Baker Sterchi Member Megan Sterchi Lammert is serving as program chair of ALFA International's Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group Regional Seminar taking place April 16 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Robert L. Christie206.979.3859

Baker Sterchi Member Bob Christie will speak at the 2026 DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar being held April 15-17 in Miami, Florida.

James T. Seigfreid, Jr.816.471.2121

Sara N. Rakowiecki816.448.9313

2025 presented mainly good news for defendants based on the recent data for Kansas City area jury verdicts. As the number of cases tried continues to decrease, so does the total amount awarded to Plaintiffs. Of the total verdicts in 2025, only 39% were for the Plaintiff. With fewer trials and diminishing recoveries, this evolving climate is likely to influence how civil disputes are evaluated, negotiated, and resolved.

Samantha R. Patterson816.448.9338

Rachel M. Schafer314.345.5028

Baker Sterchi attorneys Sam Patterson (Kansas City, Missouri) and Rachel Schafer (St. Louis, Missouri) graduated from the 2025-2026 Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) National Ladder Down Program, a yearlong program devoted to the professional development of women lawyers.

Alena N. Johnston314.345.5081

Lisa M. Verity314.345.5046

Sara N. Rakowiecki816.448.9313

Joseph R. Swift314.345.5050

Clay Crawford816.460.2831

Baker Sterchi attorneys Alena Johnston and Lisa Verity of the St. Louis, Missouri office and Sara Rakowiecki of the Kansas City, Missouri office participated in the 2026 Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers (MODL) "John L. Oliver, Jr." Trial Academy at the University of Missouri School of Law in Columbia, Missouri, held March 25–27.

Amy C. Nevad314.345.5004

Baker Sterchi Director of Office Operations Amy Nevad has been appointed vice president of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Gateway Chapter Executive Board for the 2026–27 term and was recently installed in the position with the chapter's officers and directors at a Gateway Chapter program.

Laura K. Beasley618.202.5801

Manufacturers of Class III medical devices have long relied on federal preemption under the Medical Device Amendments ("MDA") as a powerful defense against state-law product liability claims. In Miller v. Rush University Medical Center (Northern District of Illinois), the Court reinforced that protection—but also clarified where it ends. Read on to understand why this decision offers important guidance for medical device manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, and their counsel—particularly regarding the growing litigation risk associated with industry representatives in surgical settings.

James P. Maloney816.460.2808

Baker Sterchi Member Jim Maloney authored the chapter, "The Expected or Intended Injury Exclusion," in The Reference Handbook on the Homeowners Insurance Policy, published by the American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS).