Springfield law firm reaches Branson via merger

Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC has merged with The Law Offices of Russell W. Cook, located in Branson. Cook, who has a master's of law in taxation and has practiced law since 1997, joins the firm as Of Counsel.

Cook brings one staff member with him to the firm, bringing the total for Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown to 16 attorneys and 27 other staff.

CECB Administrator Nancy Bright Kaufman said Cook fits within the firm's structure.

"His practice really merges very well with the practice that we have here," she said. "His type of corporate work – the real estate, the condominiums and resort developments – really is just a nice addition to the type of corporate practice that we have here."

Cook said the move made sense for him and his clients, which include Branson Landing developer HCW LLC.

"My primary reason was that there was so much synergy from a business standpoint that it just made a tremendous amount of sense for both sides," he said. "Our practices overlap a little, but I bring new business to them and they bring new business to me. I bring a new location to them, and they bring a new location to me."

Kaufman said Cook, and some of the lawyers from the Springeld office, 2805 S. Ingram Mill, will split time between Springfield and the office in Branson, 3027 W. Hwy 76.

"Russ will probably spend about one day a week in Springfield, and most of his time in Branson," she said. "And then we'll have several attorneys here that will spend time in Branson, so we're all going to be connected."

In addition to taxation law, Cook also does partnership formation and tax planning work.

He brings along his current roster of clients, which includes other Branson area developers, who he said are in favor of the deal.

"I've discussed this with most of my clients, and they are very aware of CECB's reputation in Springfield," Cook said.

"(My clients) know some of their clients down here, so they see it as a very positive step as well. It gives them access to additional services that I wasn't able to provide."