News
Partner Jennifer Wieland Selected as United States Magistrate Judge for District of Kansas
Partner Jennifer Wieland has been selected as the next United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas. Jennifer joined the firm in 2008 as an associate. She became a partner in 2013 and a Co-Managing Partner in 2023. She will be sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge upon the completion of an FBI background check. She will succeed Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James, who intends to retire in Spring 2026, after 12 years on the bench.
Read More >Twelve Berkowitz Oliver Attorneys Named Super Lawyers, Rising Stars
Twelve attorneys at Berkowitz Oliver have been named 2025 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers or Rising Stars. The following were named Super Lawyers: Stacey Gilman for Business Litigation Nick Kurt for Business Litigation Jeff Morris for Criminal Defense: White Collar Shazzie Naseem for Criminal Defense: White Collar Kathleen Nemechek for Employment & Labor Christina Wahl for Criminal Defense: White Collar Jennifer Wieland for Class Action The following were named Rising Stars: Courtney Kroeger for Business Litigation Braden Lefler for Business Litigation Blake Saffels for Criminal Defense: White Collar Diamond Thomas for Business Litigation Jasmine Ward for Business Litigation Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase …
Read More >Berkowitz Oliver Named Tier 1 Law Firm for Kansas City Metro in 8 Practice Areas by Best Lawyers
Berkowitz Oliver has been recognized for excellence in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms rankings. The firm was named a Metropolitan Tier 1 law firm in the Kansas City Metro area by Best Lawyers in their 2026 edition: Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Criminal Defense: General Practice Criminal Defense: White-Collar Litigation – Securities Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants Product Liability Litigation The firm was also named a National Tier 3 law firm for 2026 in Commercial Litigation .
Read More >Firm Named to Top Position by Legal500 in Commercial Disputes for Missouri
The firm has been named to the number 1 spot in the inaugural Legal500 Commercial Disputes list of Missouri Elite. Partners Tony Durone , Stacey Gilman , Tom Schult , and John Shaw were also individually named to the Legal500 list of the “ Missouri Elite ” in Commercial Disputes. Legal500 was founded as a “clients’ guide to law firms.” It is now a data-driven, AI-optimized research platform which benchmarks, informs, and connects providers and users of legal services in 100 countries world-wide. The company’s research includes interviews with top practitioners, referee and …
Read More >Chili Cook-Off Pits “Mild” against “Deadly”
The firm held its annual Chili Cook-off on October 24, 2025. The Chili Cook-off is a beloved annual event that honors firm employees Lynne Clark and Lois Steward in connection with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. John Shaw kicked off the day with a meaningful tribute to Lynne and Lois’s contributions to the firm and its culture. This year’s Chili Champion was paralegal Bekah Smith, whose chicken-based “Mild at Heart” chili took down several spicier entries, barely besting 2nd place competitor Leah Wilson’s …
Read More >Firm Sponsors Cooling Tent at AWL Golf Tournament
Berkowitz Oliver continued its perennial sponsorship of the “Cooling Tent” at the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City’s 29th annual “I’m Not Serious About Golf” tournament, held September 26 at Painted Hills Golf Course. Attorneys Jennifer Wieland , Laura Brooks , Stephanie Boord , Courtney Kroeger , and Stacey Gilman were on hand to pass out cold drinks and towels to golfers, as well as to give away prizes for winners of our infamous “duck pond” game. Partner Megan Costello , who has served on AWL’s board for seven years, served as Vice Chair of the tournament and …
Read More >David F. Oliver (1952-2025)
David Field Oliver died on September 7, 2025. David Field Oliver, a Kansas City native, graduated from Pembroke Country Day in 1970 and headed east for college. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Haverford College in 1974 , David then received his law degree in 1977 from Boston University. Fortunately, David returned to Kansas City where he flourished as formidable lawyer and a pivotal force in the civic community. David commenced his legal career with a notable Kansas City trial …
Read More >Jennifer Wieland Participates in E-Discovery Panel at Federal Court
Partner Jennifer Wieland served as a panelist in a CLE entitled “‘Hos Long to Die in the Cold?’: Emerging Issues in E-Discovery” on September 5, 2025. The CLE was presented by the Federal Courts Advocates Section (FCAS) of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association at the Robert J. Dole Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. Panelists used the high-profile Karen Read trial as a springboard to discuss hot topics in e-discovery. Also on the panel were Jillian R. Dent of Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP; Stephanie Walters of Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP; and Tyson Shaw of the United …
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