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Overview

As a commercial litigator, Laura maintains a broad practice helping clients find the optimal path.

Hospitals, insurance companies, corporations and business owners across industry sectors are among the large and small clients in Missouri and Arkansas that rely on Laura’s advocacy in state and federal courts, on appeal, and before state governing boards. Within her varied commercial litigation practice, Laura defends and counsels clients on matters including:

  • Business disputes
  • Construction disputes
  • Discrimination and retaliation claims
  • Mechanic's liens
  • Boundary and title issues
  • Tax assessments
  • Product safety

Knowing that proactive compliance can be the most cost-effective defense, Laura counsels clients, particularly in the education sector, on measures that mitigate risk. Whether working with clients at a pre-emptive stage or facing litigation, what Laura finds most rewarding is identifying the best course for minimizing future exposure. Additionally, Laura regularly devotes her skills to pro bono casework.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2024; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2024
  • Springfield Business Journal, Most Influential Woman, 2021
  • Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Women's Justice Awards, Litigation Practitioner, 2020
  • Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame, 2019, 2021

Education

  • J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law
    • magna cum laude
    • CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Legal Research & Writing II from Oklahoma City University School of Law
  • B.A., University of Oklahoma
    • Psychology

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • Missouri
  • Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • The Missouri Bar
  • Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Missouri School Boards' Association (MSBA), Council of School Attorneys (COSA)
  • ABC – Heart of America
  • Law Firm Antiracist Alliance
2023 Pro Bono Champion
Experience

Appellate

  • Successfully appealed Missouri Department of Revenue's assessed tax on client's non-taxable airplane leasing transaction in 7-0 Missouri Supreme Court decision after Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission ruled tax was owed.

Construction

  • Filed and defended numerous mechanic's liens for contractors and on behalf of subcontractors.
  • Successfully defended general contractor in $1 million breach of contract claim.

Employment

  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendant on plaintiff's American with Disabilities Act (ADA) claim on grounds that plaintiff was independent contractor not covered by the ADA.
  • Won summary judgment in favor of defendant on plaintiff's gender discrimination and retaliation claim in Arkansas.

Pro Bono

  • Reached agreement with landlords who brought a lawsuit to evict our pro bono client and her child just before Christmas, allowing our recently widowed client to avert a crisis housing situation.
  • Counseled minor human trafficking victim on court testimony process.
  • Counseled abused spouse in divorce proceedings.
  • Drafted legal documents for women's welfare organization.
  • Worked with numerous individuals on expungement of crimes under new statutes.
Case Studies
Client Win on Expungement Issue Through Urban League Pro Bono Legal Intake Clinic

Husch Blackwell aided a pro bono client who lived with an undeserved record for 10 years after her twin was arrested and gave officers the client’s name instead of her own.

Client Win in Prisoner Rights Case

A Husch Blackwell pro bono team helped a Missouri prisoner assert his right to be protected from attack by other inmates.

Outside the Office

From Colorado to Curaçao, Laura is a traveler.

Laura and her family have snowboarded in Colorado, explored the Grand Canyon, toured Curaçao and travelled much of Europe. Their daughter has other ideas for the next trip: Disneyland.

Community Leadership
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, Board of Directors Member, 2018–present and Committee Chair, 2021
  • Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2021