Former CECB shareholder starts new law office

The Kansas City-area law firm of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen PC opened a Springfield office last week near PFI Western Store.

Emily Kembell, a former over six-year shareholder in the Springfield law firm of Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC, launched the office Aug. 8 with two other employees, a paralegal and legal secretary/receptionist. Kembell’s title with the office is of counsel.

Kirkland Woods & Martinsen’s Springfield entry marks the third office for the company, which operates in Overland Park, Kan., and Liberty. The firm specializes in estate planning, trust and estate administration, transfer tax planning, charitable giving and business succession planning.

“The firm itself is kind of a boutique firm,” Kembell said. "We're focused."

Kembell said Kirkland Woods & Martinsen President Bob Kirkland first approached her a few years ago, but the timing wasn’t right for a Springfield office.

“There is just a really huge need in this market,” said Kembell, who most recently worked the last two years as chief regional administrative officer and trust counsel for Simmons Wealth Management, formerly Trust Company of the Ozarks. “They thought it would be a great idea to add another estate planning attorney in this area.”

Kirkland Woods & Martinsen signed a five-year lease for undisclosed terms at Ridgeview Office Suites, a Jared Enterprises-owned center at 3230 E. Ridgeview St.

With the addition of the Springfield office, Kirkland Woods & Martinsen employs 25 firmwide.

In the Springfield market, Kansas City-based Polsinelli PC closed its Queen City office Dec. 31. Jennifer Growcock works as a shareholder who visits Kansas City once a month and continues to operate Polsinelli’s local presence mostly from home.