Firms merge to form Ozarks Elder Law

The merger of a solo practice and a more than 10-year-old firm have resulted in the creation of Ozarks Elder Law, which rolled out Feb. 1.

Jessica Kruse, who launched Kruse Legal Services LLC three years ago, has combined her practice with Zerrer Elder Law Office LLC, founded by Lois Zerrer in 2001.

Kruse said the merger begins a long phasing-out process for Zerrer, though no timeline has been set for her retirement.

Kruse - one of Springfield Business Journal's 2013 40 Under 40 honorees - joined Zerrer's practice in 2011, and last year, took over as of counsel, succeeding retiring attorney Dianne Hansen.

Kruse, who focuses on elder law, probate and estate planning at Ozarks Elder Law, said she'll continue to take Greene County court-appointed cases as a guardian ad litem in family, probate and juvenile court, for which she formed her solo practice.

Kruse said Ozarks Elder Law, located at 1147 E. Walnut St. in Springfield, is working to launch an Ozark satellite office by early March. She said the office would serve areas south of Springfield.

Kruse estimated infill construction costs of $36,000 for the 1,700-square-foot space leased at 1707 James River Road in Ozark. She noted the firm signed a two-year lease with options for two-year renewals at a rate of $1,000 per month from D&N Investments.

The Springfield practice operates out of 1,500 square feet leased from Jeff Young, Kruse said, noting the parties are negotiating a lease rate as the owner looks for a second-floor tenant.