WJA 2023: Kelly Sullivan Angles

Managing Shareholder
Sandberg Phoenix, Kansas City

“I swore I would never be a lawyer,” says Kelly Angles. “After I had worked as a physical therapist for a while, I was looking for a different kind of challenge. Several of my family members are lawyers, and I saw how they enjoyed the challenges of their work. A law career is never routine, so I decided to go to law school.”

Angles earned her JD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and also holds a master’s degree in physical therapy from Samuel Merritt University. After 20 years of practicing law, she joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2022 to manage the Kansas City office. In just a few months, she has broadened the firm’s legal offerings in that market by expanding the platform of attorneys and increasing awareness of the firm in the community. Today, she leads a team of 26 attorneys and 17 staff members.

In her community, Angles devotes much of her volunteer work to raising up new leaders. She is a member of the Women’s Public Service Network, promoting women in philanthropic and business leadership; co-founder of Leadership in Focus Together (LIFT KC), an inclusive group for civic-minded professionals and individuals; and an alumna of Kansas City Tomorrow, focused on civic leadership.

“It’s important for our community to have women in leadership roles,” Angles says. “I have three teenagers, and I know the challenges of meeting all the demands of a career and a family. It’s important for younger women to see women who are doing that and succeeding.”

One professional challenge Angles enjoys is bringing visionaries together to create something new. She recently assisted two Missouri insurance companies, owned by policyholders, in creating a joint venture to form a new partnership. The new company is now licensed to do business in Missouri.

“As a business lawyer, it’s satisfying when you can help business owners achieve their next step growth goals and business objectives, and go to the next level in their business,” Angles says. “I have bad days, regular days, and then those great days when I close a deal and help people meet their goals.”