Shore and Tillma Join Baker Sterchi, Enhancing Construction Industry Capabilities

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice welcomes Heather Shore as a Member and Matthew Tillma as a Senior Attorney, expanding the firm’s construction, surety and commercial litigation practice. Both attorneys bring extensive trial and arbitration experience and deep industry knowledge to the firm’s Kansas City office.

“We are delighted to welcome Heather and Matt to our firm. Their collective experience in commercial, construction and surety litigation will strengthen our continued growth in these areas," said Scott Kreamer, Managing Member. "Heather's exceptional trial skills also perfectly align with our focus in adding top talent to serve clients in high-stakes litigation."

Shore has nearly 30 years of experience in complex construction, surety and commercial litigation, handling cases valued from $10,000 to $121 million, including matters involving some of the nation’s most high-profile projects. She frequently speaks and writes on legal and business issues affecting the construction and surety industries.

“Joining Baker Sterchi provides an exciting opportunity to collaborate with a talented group of professionals,” Shore said. “I look forward to leveraging our collective experience to address complex challenges in construction, surety and commercial litigation while driving positive outcomes for our clients.”

Actively involved in organizations related to her practice and the law, Shore serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Construction and Commercial Arbitrators and is a member of the American Bar Association’s Construction and Surety sections. She is also a past board member of the American Subcontractors Association’s Greater Kansas City Chapter, past president of the Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court and has held multiple leadership roles within the Defense Research Institute’s Fidelity and Surety Law Committee, including program chair, vice chair and publications chair.

Shore has consistently earned recognition from her peers for her construction practice in multiple legal rankings publications. She has also received various Top Women Attorney honors, including being named one of Kansas City’s Top 30 Most Successful Business Women. She holds a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She is licensed to practice in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Texas.

Tillma represents clients in litigation across various industries. With over a decade of experience as lead counsel in jury trials, he has successfully navigated a wide range of cases, including criminal matters, white-collar crime, bankruptcy and commercial disputes. His practice areas encompass construction litigation, mechanic’s liens, complex commercial civil litigation, surety and fidelity litigation, bankruptcy, insurance defense, and labor and employment.