Skip to Main Content
Overview

Kris enjoys the fast pace of the ever-changing life sciences industry in which she focuses her intellectual property (IP) and technology licensing practice.

Kris counsels clients on how to manage and protect their intellectual property and data and use their IP assets strategically. She drafts and negotiates complex agreements related to technology and software licensing, software and web development, joint development and confidentiality. Kris often negotiates these agreements for healthcare, higher education, airlines, cannabis and biofuel clients.

Kris is skilled in preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications; proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; foreign patent and trademark protection; and licensing of intellectual property rights.

Kris has prepared and prosecuted patents across industries, with a particular emphasis on biochemical and chemical patent prosecution. She represents clients in a variety of technologies, including airlines, biotechnology, energy and biofuels, agricultural chemistry, cannabis and industrial hemp, chemical compounds, compositions and processes, software, healthcare and mechanical devices.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Trademark Law, 2024 and 2025
  • Missouri Lawyers Media, Women's Justice Awards, Innovation & Technology, 2021
  • Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "Up & Coming Lawyer," 2014
  • KC Business Magazine, Rising Stars, Class of 2013

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
    • TWA Environmental Law Scholarship
    • University of Missouri-Kansas City Student Government Association Superior Court, Chief Justice
    • Urban Lawyer, Articles Editor
  • B.S., Kansas State University

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
  • The Missouri Bar
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Negotiated multimillion-dollar EMR and other types of software agreements on behalf of large hospital systems.
  • Negotiated $40 million HR software agreement for the world's largest home improvement retailer.
  • Prepared and prosecuted patents for medical device company's anchor device for heart surgery.
  • Provided intellectual property work, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA), trademarks and warranty, for West Coast medical device company that manufactures systems for respiratory care.
  • Drafted patents for startup company that creates polymer-based, orthopedic 3-D casts.
  • Prosecuted patent for surgical device that stabilizes femur for incisions.
  • Advised SCL Health System on sale of Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas, to California-based Prime Healthcare Services. Transaction completed less than three months after Prime Healthcare was selected as preferred bidder in nationwide auction process.
  • Represented Springfield, Missouri-based CoxHealth in completing affiliation transaction with Skaggs Regional Medical Center in Branson, Missouri.
  • Drafted and negotiated technology and software development agreements on behalf of leading global aviation client.
  • Represented global engineering firm as it sold one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries to a group of employees who were leaving the company to run the wholly-owned subsidiary as a separate and standalone company, including negotiating five intellectual property agreements.
News Releases | September 11, 2023
Husch Blackwell Named 2023 M&A Advisor Awards Finalist
News Releases | February 28, 2022
Husch Blackwell Guides LivWell in Sale to PharmaCann
Media Mentions | October 18, 2021
Missouri Lawyers Media: WJA 2021: Kristine L. Kappel
Outside the Office

Kris and her kids are baseball fans who enjoy going to Royals games.

She is also a runner who frequently participates in half-marathons and 10Ks. Additionally, Kris enjoys cooking in her free time.

Community Leadership
  • BVN Triple Crown Club – Secretary 2018-present
  • CommunityLINC, Board of Directors, 2014-2019
  • Niles Home for Children, Board of Directors, 2005-2013
Follow Kris on Twitter