Baker Sterchi Enhances Illinois Presence with Addition of Greg Odom and Meghan Kane

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC has enhanced its Belleville, Illinois presence with the addition of Greg Odom and Meghan Kane. Both join Baker Sterchi from the Edwardsville, Illinois office of HeplerBroom. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Greg and Meghan to our Belleville office,” said Baker Sterchi’s Managing Member Scott Kreamer. “With the trial experience and legal community involvement they bring, both fit the mold of the type of attorney we seek to attract to the firm. We expect Greg and Meghan will be great assets to the firm as we continue to grow our presence in Illinois.”

Odom joins Baker Sterchi as a Member with a thriving practice focused on toxic torts, personal injury, product liability, premises liability, environmental law, and commercial litigation. Experienced in representing individuals, local businesses and Fortune 500 companies in Illinois and Missouri state and federal courts, he has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict and argued before the Illinois Court of Appeals.

A member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Madison County Bar Association, Missouri Bar and St. Clair County Bar Association, Odom has also volunteered for the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  He has served in numerous leadership positions for various Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel committees and programs and is currently a member of its Board of Directors.

In 2018, Odom received the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s President’s Award for Service and Commitment to the Defense Bar and the Meritorious Service Award for Service as Events Committee Chair. He is also a past recipient of the association’s Rising Star Award and President’s Commendation. Additionally, Odom has been recognized as an Emerging Lawyer by Illinois Leading Lawyers and as a Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers.

Odom earned his Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2008, and his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in 2005. He is licensed to practice in Illinois, Missouri, and the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Illinois and the Eastern District of Missouri.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to join Baker Sterchi and am honored to be a part of the firm’s expansion of its Illinois practice,” said Odom. “Baker Sterchi has shown a commitment to excellence, diversity, and community involvement, all values that I share and believe are critical to the success of law firms. I look forward to a long and successful career with the firm.” 

Kane joins Baker Sterchi as a Senior Associate with a practice focused on toxic torts, personal injury, product liability, and premises liability. Experienced in pre-trial, trial and post-trial proceedings, she also has appellate experience in the Illinois Appellate Courts for the Fourth and Fifth Districts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

A member of the Defense Research Institute and Madison County Bar Association, Kane is also a volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club of Alton, Illinois and provides pro bono services through the Madison County, Illinois Legal Clinic. She has been recognized as a Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers.

Kane earned her Juris Doctor from St. Louis University School of Law in 2011, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri Columbia in 2008. She is licensed to practice in Illinois, Missouri, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Said Kane, "I am grateful for the opportunity to join Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice during this time of expansion in the Illinois office.  It is exciting to be a part of such growth and strong leadership.  I am happy to be a part of a team and look forward to a successful future with the firm."  

To accommodate the continued growth of the Belleville office, Baker Sterchi has moved into a larger office space at its 23 Public Square location.