Law firm merger creates large construction practice

The June 6 merger of McCarthy, Leonard & Kaemmerer in Chesterfield and the Miller Law Firm in Kansas City creates a firm with 30 lawyers in commercial litigation, management labor and employment law, real estate and development, business law, mergers and acquisitions and more.

Now called McCarthy Leonard Kaemmerer & Miller, the new firm now spans Missouri with offices in the state’s two major metro areas. According to a news release, the merger was motivated by the two firms’ shared vision to create a leading construction practice. The construction team now numbers 14 lawyers, ranking it among the largest in the state.

The firm represents owners, developers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors and suppliers, providing counsel throughout a project’s life cycle: from contract preparation and negotiation to risk management and employment issues to dispute resolution through litigation, mediation and arbitration.

Andy Leonard, a founding member of McCarthy, Leonard & Kaemmerer, said in a news release that many of the firm’s partners have known and worked with Miller law Firm founder Steve Miller for years, including as opposing counsel. Through these interactions, the lawyers saw they shared a similar approach to both litigation and the business of law.

“Our firm began 40 years ago with the goal of providing outstanding service and the highest quality legal representation at reasonable rates,” he said. “Steve Miller shares our philosophy, and we could not pass up the opportunity to join forces with him.”

Miller said the merger would provide his firm’s clients with additional resources and bench strength.

“This represents not only a chance for me to partner with lawyers I greatly respect, but it is a great opportunity for our clients to have access to areas of specialty affecting their business,” he said. “My new partners have unmatched experience in labor, employment real estate, business transactions and more, and our clients will benefit greatly from this depth of knowledge.”

The St. Louis office for McCarthy Leonard Kaemmerer & Miller will remain at Maryville Centre Drive in Chesterfield. The Kansas City office will be in the legacy Miller Law Firm space in the Country Club Plaza.