- DivorceSusan Saper Galamba practices exclusively in family law and mediation in both Kansas and Missouri, and is the Co-Chair of McDowell Rice’s Family Law & Divorce practice group, providing representation in high net-worth dissolutions of marriage and other complex matters related to divorce and family law.
- Child SupportAs Co-Chair of the Family Law & Divorce Group, Tiffany McFarland practices exclusively in the area of domestic relations litigation. Ms. McFarland has extensive experience in handling complex divorces and child custody matters in both Missouri and Kansas while also representing parties in non-contested divorces, legal separations, paternity actions, post-divorce modifications and other litigation, such as changes in spousal maintenance, child support and child custody and preparation and interpretation of prenuptial, post-nuptial and non-traditional partnership agreements. Ms. McFarlands' cases often involve the valuation and division of businesses, real estate, and other valuable assets as well as traditional family wealth. Ms. McFarland distinguishes herself in her approach to conflict resolution by utilizing open and respectful communication with clients, opposing counsel and the Court. Ms. McFarland has conducted litigation at all stages of the court process and is uniquely qualified to counsel clients through the court process with her thorough analysis of complex legal issues and her meticulous preparation and organization. Ms. McFarland is committed to serving her clients by preserving assets, reaching a fair and equitable division of marital property, minimizing unnecessary conflict and encouraging the parties to do what is in the best interest of their children.
- Child Custody and VisitationMs. Galamba is recognized by her clients and peers as a person of integrity, determination, trustworthiness and compassion. Her expertise, in-depth knowledge and dedication extend to all areas of family law, including complex property division and child custody cases, valuation of businesses, premarital and postnuptial agreements, alimony and maintenance, paternity, and mediation. Additionally, Ms. Galamba works with accountants, forensic and valuation experts, financial planners, real estate agents, and mental health professionals to ensure that her clients have a top-notch team prepared to work for them.
- Paternity
- Guardianship
- Spousal Support
- Legal Separation
- Wrongful DeathMcDowell Rice’s Transportation Law Group provides economical strategic planning and litigation representation for business clients and insurers in this highly-regulated field. Our lawyers have a wealth of experience advising a wide array of transportation and trucking clients. McDowell Rice has successfully represented transportation and trucking clients in all types of disputes and regulatory compliance issues, including in personal injury and wrongful death claims, insurance claims, as well financial and bankruptcy related matters. Our attorneys practice nationwide and have appeared in state and federal jurisdictions throughout the country.
- Corporate LawMcDowell Rice’s Corporate and Business Transaction Law Group consists of experienced, highly trained attorneys, several with graduate degrees in business and tax, with expertise advising clients on all aspects of corporate formation, liability, tax, and dissolution issues. The Corporate and Business Transaction Group assists clients on entity choice, including liability and tax attributes of all types of corporate and partnership entities under Federal and State law, including C corporations and S corporations and all other pass-through entities such as LLCs, LPs and LLPs. Our lawyers organize the entity chosen by our clients, creating Articles of Incorporation or Organization, By-laws, Operating Agreements, Shareholder / Partner / Member Agreements restricting transfer of stock/ownership interests as clients direct. As entities mature, we provide transactional services including negotiation and documentation of corporate contracts, stock purchase and sale agreements, merger documentation, letters of intent, asset sale and purchase agreements, and join venture agreements.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsIn conjunction with other practice areas, we consult on personnel matters such as employment agreements, employee incentive plans and employee terminations. We coordinate with other lawyers and accountants to provide tax planning services for entities / transactions. With our Real Estate Group’s attorneys, we provide advice to developer clients and others whose needs include the acquisition and disposition of real property, including the preparation of pertinent documentation authorizing such transactions. We represent a varied group of companies and their owners, including banks, insurance brokers, doctors and other health care professionals, engineers, architects, developers, contractors, service companies and retail and restaurant companies. Our attorneys have handled mergers and acquisitions throughout the Midwest and nationwide.
- Business TransactionsKnown for our expertise in business litigation, commercial transactions, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, our attorneys possess diverse backgrounds and legal expertise.
- Limited Liability Companies
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual Property
- Antitrust
- Employment DiscriminationFavorable determination from the EEOC in response to charges of sex discrimination brought against a regional restaurant chain by several former employees
- Employment ContractMcDowell Rice’s Labor and Employment practice enables our clients to meet the challenges of the modern workplace. We assist employers in drafting and implementing employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and personnel policies and procedures that are tailored to meet the employer’s business needs and comply with applicable law. We also assist individuals who are treated unfairly or unlawfully in the workplace, or who are pursuing better opportunities. We provide guidance in all aspects of labor and employment, from training and compliance, investigating complaints, and addressing existing or potential employment issues, to handling all facets of employment disputes and litigation, including...
- Employment Litigation
- Non-compete Agreement
- Sexual HarassmentAssisting client in avoiding sexual harassment and retaliation claims by investigating charges, assisting with discipline and termination decisions and providing training to managers, supervisors and employees
- Real Estate LitigationMcDowell Rice has long been known for its expertise in litigation and dispute resolution; banking and financial services; bankruptcy, workouts, and financial restructuring; construction and architect/engineer law; corporate and business transactions; high-net-worth dissolutions of marriage, and complex matters related to family law; real estate law; tax law; and wills, trusts, and estate planning.
- Premises LiabilityMcDowell Rice is pleased to welcome our newest attorney, Debbie Moeller, to our firm. Debbie has over 30 years of litigation experience in several practice areas including products liability, toxic tort, commercial litigation, and premises liability. Debbie provides pre-litigation and other business counseling for her clients. She clerked for the 10th Circuit and does appellate work as well. Through her mass tort and MDL experience, she has resolved thousands of cases in mediation. Debbie is an undergraduate of Kansas State University and has her law degree from University of Kansas School of Law. She has been recognized on the Benchmark list of top female litigators in the country. We are proud to welcome her to our team.
- Construction LitigationMcDowell Rice’s Construction & Architect/Engineer (“A/E”) Litigation Group provides superior, cost-effective representation for its clients in all types of construction and A/E disputes, including complex construction litigation, construction defect claims, contract negotiations and disputes, arbitrations, and mechanic’s liens. We represent a wide array of companies and construction professionals, including engineers, architects, developers, subcontractors, appraisers and lenders. Our experience spans a broad spectrum of commercial, industrial, and residential projects and includes disputes relating to casinos, hotels, office buildings, malls, power plants, wastewater treatment facilities, apartment complexes, condominiums and single-family residences. Our attorneys practice nationwide and have appeared in state and federal jurisdictions throughout the country.
- Real Estate Transactions
- Personal InjuryMcDowell Rice’s Accident and Personal Injury Practice Group works to help injury victims and their families get the medical care they need and the financial compensation they are allowed by law. If you have been involved in an accident and sustained an injury, bringing those responsible to justice can be a very difficult process. At McDowell Rice, our first goal is to help you understand the details of your case and advise you of your options. More specifically, we will guide you through the crucial legal phases of your case and do everything possible to obtain the maximum benefits for you.
- Estate PlanningMcDowell Rice’s attorneys have the experience and expertise to handle a broad range of estate planning needs from creating a simple will to representing clients in complex trust litigation, regardless of the size of the estate. Our attorneys recognize that every estate plan needs to reflect the client’s unique circumstances.
- Wills
- TrustsOther specific types of irrevocable trusts, including Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts ("SLAT's") and Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts ("IDGT's")
- Probate
- BankruptcyMcDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan is pleased to announce that Mike Griffin, Jonathan Margolies, and R. Pete Smith have been selected to the 2023 edition of the Best Lawyers in America. Mike Griffin is recognized for his Business Organizations practice, including with LLC’s and partnerships. Jonathan Margolies is recognized for his expertise in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law along with Bankruptcy Litigation. Pete Smith is recognized for his expertise in Bankruptcy Litigation.
- ForeclosureMcDowell Rice’s attorneys represent lenders, landlords, individuals, and other creditor clients addressing disputes promptly to reach agreement, and when necessary, aggressively pursuing rights and remedies through litigation. Our core strengths include litigation seeking collection of money, loan enforcement, appointment of receivers, recovery of property (replevin), pre-judgment attachments, commercial foreclosure, post-foreclosure deficiencies, commercial rent/eviction and related matters. We represent clients in “business divorce” or similar matters. We protect and enforce security interests in and out of bankruptcy courts, including defense of creditors in avoidance actions, adversary proceedings, contested matters, and related claims brought by debtors in possession and trustees. Our bankruptcy practice includes representing creditors in non-dischargeability claims, lift of stay, and objections to bankruptcy plans.
- Tax LawMcDowell Rice’s tax team with their extensive experience and knowledge of complex tax issues can assist you with everything from business entity and real estate tax planning, IRS controversies and tax litigation, Kansas and Missouri tax disputes and tax litigation, Jackson County real estate tax issues and exemptions, Kansas City, Missouri tax disputes and tax litigation, divorce tax issues, and probate tax issues. The team provides representation to taxpayers, individuals, businesses, employers, outside attorneys and other professionals.
- Debt CollectionWith the rise in consumer litigation our attorneys frequently defend creditors, collection agencies, and lawyers in alleged consumer protection violations under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act/Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FCRA/FACTA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA). We vigorously defend the right of lawyers and debt collectors to enforce and seek payment for their clients.