BSCR Firm News/Blogs Feed

Michelle Meloche Appointed to Leadership of PLDF Healthcare Committee

24 Apr 2024

Baker Sterchi associate Michelle Meloche has been named co-vice chair of the Professional Liability Defense Federation (PLDF) Healthcare Malpractice Claims Committee.

Meloche has been a dedicated member of this Healthcare Committee since joining PLDF last year. In her new role, she will be contributing to publications, responding to member inquiries and presenting at PLDF’s annual meeting.

In addition to her role with PLDF, Meloche is actively engaged in several other healthcare and legal organizations. She is a member of the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section, the American Health Lawyers Association, and DRI’s Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee.

As a civil litigation attorney, Meloche defends healthcare providers against medical malpractice claims. She earned her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration in Health Law, and she holds an M.P.H. in Health Management & Policy from Saint Louis University. Meloche is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois.

PLDF’s mission is to enhance the stature and effectiveness of professional liability defense professionals through education, training and the exchange of information.

John Watt Accepted into Product Liability Advisory Council

23 Apr 2024

Baker Sterchi Member John Watt has been accepted as a Sustaining Member into the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC). Sustaining members, comprised of top regulatory, trial and appellate legal professionals from leading law firms worldwide, undergo thorough vetting by the organization's Board of Directors before receiving invitations to join.

Established in the 1980s, PLAC is dedicated to keeping product manufacturers and suppliers informed about industry-related issues and fostering collaboration with outside legal counsel to mitigate risk across the product life cycle. Corporate participants include individuals from the legal, regulatory, technical and risk departments of each member company.

Based in Kansas City, Watt defends businesses in multi-million-dollar litigation cases involving product liability, construction and toxic torts. With extensive experience as a lead attorney in trials at both state and federal levels, Watt has also conducted hundreds of expert witness depositions, presented arguments before appellate courts in Missouri and Kansas, and represented clients in arbitration and mediation proceedings.

As a steering committee member of ALFA International’s Construction Practice Group, Watt served as a co-chair for both the 2022 and 2023 ALFA Construction Practice Group Seminars. Additionally, he is a regular contributor to the Missouri and Kansas sections of ALFA’s Construction Law Compendium. Watt is recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his Construction Law practice in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

Jennifer Maloney Accepted into Product Liability Advisory Council

04 Apr 2024

Jennifer Maloney, a Member in Baker Sterchi’s St. Louis office, has been accepted as a Sustaining Member into the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC). Sustaining members, comprised of top regulatory, trial and appellate legal professionals from leading law firms worldwide, undergo thorough vetting by the organization's Board of Directors before receiving invitations to join.

Throughout her career, Maloney has advocated for businesses and insurance companies, focusing primarily on product liability, premises liability, personal injury and transportation matters. Actively engaged in the legal community, she is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Illinois Defense Counsel (IDC).

In recent years, Maloney has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for her product liability litigation defense practice. She has also been honored with the Missouri Lawyers Media Up & Coming Award and the IDC President’s Award. Maloney earned her law degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Law and is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois.

Baker Sterchi Attorneys Lead and Participate in 2024 MODL Trial Academy

03 Apr 2024

Baker Sterchi attorneys Briana Cowell (Kansas City) and Ruthie Vaughn (St. Louis) participated in the 2024 Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers (MODL) "John L. Oliver, Jr." Trial Academy at the University of Missouri School of Law in Columbia, Missouri, held from March 27 to 29. Led by a distinguished faculty of 14 seasoned defense lawyers, including Baker Sterchi Members Clayton Crawford (Kansas City) and Joseph Swift (St. Louis), 35 students engaged in the program, assuming the roles of defense lawyers in a mock civil trial.

Cowell practices civil litigation, primarily defending product liability, wrongful death and personal injury cases. She is a member of the Earl E. O'Connor American Inn of Court and Propane Gas Defense Association. Cowell obtained her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law and is licensed to practice in Missouri and Kansas.

Vaughn focuses on personal injury, medical malpractice and business litigation. She is a member of the Missouri Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and the Mound City Bar Association. Vaughn earned her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law and is licensed to practice in Missouri.

Established in 1984, MODL aims to assist defense attorneys in delivering top-notch representation to clients through continuing legal education programs and various other initiatives.

Charniece Rollie Selected to Participate in DEI Certificate of Mastery & Capstone Program

01 Apr 2024

Charniece Rollie, Baker Sterchi’s Kansas City Office Administrator, has been chosen to join a DEI Certificate of Mastery & Capstone Program titled "Strategies for Promoting and Fostering a World-Class Culture of Inclusion." A collaboration between the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (GKCCC) and Authentico, the program spans 16 months and includes an academic curriculum, capstone project, roundtable interaction with thought leaders and individual coaching sessions.

Led by Dr. Andrea Hendricks, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Authentico, and Dr. Shirley Davis, President of SDS Global Enterprises, the program is limited to a cohort of 30 individuals, including DEI Professionals, Human Resource leaders and industry managers and executives enthusiastic about exploring solutions for cultivating inclusive organizational environments that foster cultures of belonging. The inaugural session, held in March, included a kick-off luncheon attended by Baker Sterchi attorney Megan Sterchi Lammert as Rollie’s guest.

In her role as Office Administrator, Rollie oversees the day-to-day operations of the Kansas City office, drawing upon her extensive 25 years of experience in the legal field to enhance administrative efficiency across all facets of her work. Additionally, she actively contributes as a member of the firm’s DEI Committee and serves as the firm’s representative on ALFA International’s DEI Committee. Rollie regularly attends GKCCC diversity-related events, seeking insights to promote inclusivity within the firm and the broader community.

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a leading advocate for business and economic development in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Authentico, a full-service multicultural marketing and diversity, equity, and inclusion agency, focuses on forging meaningful connections to help brands expand their reach and achieve business objectives.

Two Baker Sterchi Attorneys Accepted into Prestigious FDCC Ladder Down Program

26 Mar 2024

Baker Sterchi attorneys Briana Cowell (Kansas City) and Michelle Meloche (St. Louis) have been accepted into the 2024 Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) National Ladder Down Program. They were selected for their unique talents, strengths and dedication to personal and professional growth.

With only 24 spots available, the Ladder Down program offers a year-long opportunity for career advancement. This comprehensive program utilizes a blend of coaching, sponsors and collaboration among participants to empower women lawyers in three key areas: leadership, business development and mentoring. The FDCC is a prestigious organization comprised of leading defense and corporate counsel worldwide, dedicated to promoting professional excellence and fostering collaboration within the legal community.

Cowell practices civil litigation, primarily defending product liability, wrongful death and personal injury cases. She is a member of the Earl E. O'Connor American Inn of Court and Propane Gas Defense Association. Cowell obtained her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. She is licensed to practice in Missouri and Kansas.

Meloche represents healthcare providers, with a primary focus on defending against medical malpractice claims. She is a member of the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section, the American Health Lawyers Association, DRI’s Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee, and the Professional Liability Defense Federation’s Healthcare Committee. Meloche earned her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration in Health Law. She is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois.

Baker Sterchi Featured in Garfield Elementary School's March 2024 Newsletter

21 Mar 2024

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice is featured in the March 2024 newsletter for Garfield Elementary School. The section, titled “Community Partners make a difference!” highlights the firm’s long-standing partnership with the school and efforts in the community.

The firm's partnership with Garfield Elementary began with the 2013-2014 school year. Over the course of the partnership, Baker Sterchi attorneys and staff have made donations of school supplies, winter coats and accessories, books, and more. Additionally, firm attorneys and staff have volunteered in weekly reading programs with students.

Garfield Elementary, located in Kansas City, Missouri, serves a diverse student body of approximately 600 students from more than 15 countries in pre-K through sixth grade. Most of the students come from homes well below the poverty level. Click here to learn more about Garfield Elementary.

Christopher Mirakian Appointed to DRI Litigation Skills Steering Committee, Presents at Conference

13 Mar 2024

Baker Sterchi Member Christopher Mirakian has recently been appointed to the steering committee of the DRI Litigation Skills Committee. This committee is committed to assisting defense lawyers in honing the essential skills necessary for success as trial lawyers, advocates, negotiators, speakers and writers. It emphasizes the crucial tools required to sharpen these skills across various settings, including depositions, trials, mediations and oral arguments.

As a member of this committee, Mirakian contributed to the DRI Litigation Skills Conference held in Miami, Florida from February 28 to March 1, by delivering a segment during the conference promoting a new “CLE video series” that he contributed to. The series is a collection of curated videos in which seasoned practitioners provide insights on important issues associated with trial practice and daily litigation practice. Additionally, Mirakian served as a host for two evenings of “dine around” activities held during the seminar.

Mirakian represents individuals, companies, and insurance carriers in the arenas of complex civil litigation and insurance defense. His experience spans negotiating and resolving disputes in real estate, property management and construction, as well as defending against various liability claims such as personal injury, premises liability, products liability, construction defects, and wrongful death. Mirakian has successfully managed numerous high-profile premises liability cases involving alleged security failures against third-party criminal acts. Furthermore, he is well versed in addressing "bad faith" and first-party extra-contractual claims against insurers for breach of contract and statutory refusal to pay.

DRI is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation.

Laura Beasley Appointed to DRI Drug & Medical Device Steering Committee

27 Feb 2024

Laura Beasley has been appointed to the steering committee of the DRI Drug & Medical Device Committee, consisting of attorneys defending manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biologics and other health-related products.

Beasley is an experienced trial lawyer in the firm’s Belleville, Illinois office, with a practice focused on civil defense litigation. She currently serves on the Diversity & Inclusion Committee and is a past president of the Illinois Defense Counsel. Additionally, she holds board positions with both the East St. Louis and St. Clair County Bar Associations. Beasley earned her law degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and is admitted to practice in Illinois and Missouri.

DRI is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation.

Baker Sterchi Sponsors Saint Louis Bar Foundation Spirit of Justice Gala

21 Feb 2024

On February 17, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice proudly sponsored the 2024 Spirit of Justice (SOJ) Gala held at The Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri.

The firm had the privilege of hosting Lynne Jackson, an SOJ award recipient and great-great granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott, at its table. Jackson was accompanied by two members of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation Board, alongside Baker Sterchi attorneys Laura Beasley and Paul Venker.

The Spirit of Justice Celebration, hosted by the Saint Louis Bar Foundation, is an annual event held to recognizing individuals and organizations who have demonstrated accomplishment, leadership, and integrity in upholding the rule of law. This event honors those actively contributing to the improvement and maintenance of the administration of justice. The selection of SOJ award recipients is a meticulous process, involving nominations submitted to the Foundation and subsequent deliberation by the SOJ Awards Committee.

The Saint Louis Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Bar Association of St. Louis, is dedicated to supporting justice, legal education, and public service. It provides grants, scholarships, and hosts events to enhance legal knowledge and promote access to justice. Venker is a past president and current board member of the Foundation.