Lathrop & Gage attorney dies

An attorney with the Springfield office of Lathrop & Gage LLP died June 19 at age 67.

James McLeod, of counsel for the firm, died after a short illness, according to an announcement to members of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.

According to LathropGage.com, McLeod was one of four to serve as of counsel in Springfield for Lathrop & Gage, which employs some 14 attorneys locally led by Randell Wallace. McLeod worked with Springfield firm Miller & Sanford PC until its 2000 merger with Kansas City-based Lathrop & Gage.

At Lathrop & Gage, McLeod represented businesses on issues such as succession planning and employee benefit plans, as well as taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, according to his attorney profile.

In 2001, McLeod received the Pro Bono Publico Award from the Missouri Bar in recognition of his work with Legal Services of Southern Missouri. Last year, he was among Super Lawyers magazine's Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers for 2013.

He also served on the boards of Springfield Catholic Schools, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and Regional Girls Shelter, according to his obituary at GreenLawnFuneralHome.com.

McLeod is survived by his wife Janice, daughters Carol, Erin and Susan and son John, as well as grandchildren and three sisters.