News
Associate Jasmine Ward Joins Firm
Jasmine Ward recently joined Berkowitz Oliver as an associate. Jasmine is a 2021 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. She also graduated from Simpson College in 2013 with a B.A. in Marketing. While in law school, Jasmine served as President of the Black Law Students’ Association; Vice-President of the Board of Barristers; Associate Justice on the University’s Supreme Court; and founding member of the Diverse Student Coalition. Following her graduation from UMKC, she clerked for the Hon. Fernando …
Read More >Berkowitz Oliver Named 2023 Tier 1 Law Firm for Kansas City Metro by U.S. News & World Report
Berkowitz Oliver has been named a Tier 1 law firm in the Kansas City Metro area by U.S. News – Best Lawyers(R) “ Best Law Firms ” in 2023 in the following eight practice areas: Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Criminal Defense: General Practice Criminal Defense: White-Collar Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) Litigation – Securities Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Read More >Firm Chili Cook-off Spices Up Fall Friday
The firm held its annual Chili Cook-off on October 14, 2022. The Chili Cook-off coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October, and the event is held to honor firm employees Lynne Clark and Lois Steward. This year’s Chili Champion was Jennifer Wieland , whose “TikTok’s Favorite Fall Chili” topped the six entries. She took home the coveted Pepper Belt Buckle. Past champion Jeff Morris took second this year with his “Travis Kelchili.” The event also featured the second-annual Cornbread Bake-off, won by Tony Durone and …
Read More >Firm Wins 2022 Trophy for Teddy Bear Drive Supporting Bears on Patrol
On October 12, 2022, the Kansas City Paralegal Association (KCPA) donated over 3,000 stuffed bears to the Kansas City Police Department for use in its “ Bears on Patrol ” program. Berkowitz Oliver brought home the traveling trophy for most donations for a medium-sized firm with a donation of 334 bears this year. The program provides stuffed animals to comfort children who have been exposed to traumatic situations. This was the firm’s 5th year participating in the teddy bear drive for Bears on Patrol. Berkowitz Oliver paralegals serve …
Read More >Jeff Morris Featured on 2022 Missouri Lawyers Media POWER List
Jeff Morris was recently included on the Missouri Lawyers Media’s POWER list for White-Collar Defense . The POWER list comprises the “most powerful commercial and consumer attorneys in Missouri.” Missouri Lawyers Media recognizes “practitioners who have won notable jury trials, achieved significant settlements in both class action suits and individual claims, and helped to set important precedents that shape the law.” Attorneys in Berkowitz Oliver’s White Collar Defense and Investigations group have extensive experience handling complex criminal and regulatory litigation and government investigations. To read Jeff’s POWER list profile, please click here . …
Read More >Firm Hosts Clerkship Panel with UMKC Black Law Students Association
On September 29, 2022, the firm hosted a panel of judges and clerks to speak to local law students about judicial clerkships and internships. The firm partnered with the Black Law Students Association at UMKC School of Law , with support from other student organizations including the Latinx Law Students Association, Asian & Pacific Islanders Association, Association for Women Law Students, and Outlaws (LGBTQIA+), to make this night happen. The panel included Judge Lisa Hardwick of the Missouri Court of Appeals ; Judge Janette Rodecap of the 16th Circuit Court in Jackson County ; Amy Henson, career clerk for Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell on the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas ; and …
Read More >Firm Sponsors Cooling Station at Association for Women Lawyers Golf Tournament
Berkowitz Oliver was proud to serve as the 2022 Cooling Station Sponsor at the Association for Women Lawyers of Kansas City’s Annual “I’m Not Serious About Golf Tournament” on August 26, 2022. The tournament, held this year at Painted Hills Golf Course in Kansas City, Kansas, benefits the Association for Women Lawyers Foundation . The firm is a Gold Sponsor of the Association for Women Lawyers of Kansas City (AWL). The group was founded in 1976 to advance the role of women in the legal profession in Kansas City. The AWL Foundation is the charitable arm of AWL. It has …
Read More >Wieland Presents on Depp/Heard Defamation Trial
Partner Jennifer Wieland presented on “Lessons Learned from the Depp v. Heard Defamation Trial” at the Kansas City Paralegal Association’s 2022 Annual Seminar on August 10. Highlights included learning about the doctrines of collateral estoppel, res judicata, and comity; the elements of defamation; hearsay examples from the trial; witness demeanor and the corresponding jury instructions; trial publicity and “ TikTok’s Amber Heard hate machine “; and anticipated issues on appeal.
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