Jeff Schmitt Appointed Head of Danna McKitrick’s Title Litigation Practice

Saint Louis, MO – February 3, 2012 – Jeffrey R. Schmitt, a principal at Danna McKitrick, P.C., has recently been appointed head of the firm’s title litigation practice. Schmitt will lead the practice in its representation of its clients including national title insurance underwriters and their insured, resolving title policy claims and disputes that preclude title transfer or cloud true ownership. Schmitt is an experienced commercial and general civil litigator whose practice includes financial and lending, construction, and real estate law as well as general legal counsel for small to mid-sized businesses.

“Jeff is an excellent litigator, and has extensive experience in real estate, construction and financial litigation,” said Ron Danna, senior principal and co-founder of the firm. “He’s a proven leader, and we believe he’s the one to lead the title litigation practice into its next phase, one committed to quality client service and continued growth.”

Supporting Schmitt and Danna McKitrick’s title litigation practice are litigators David P. Renovitch and David A. Zobel, as well as transactional lawyers Michael J. McKitrick and James M. Heffner. With McKitrick’s 30 years of experience in real estate litigation and transactions, McKitrick and other members of the transactional team focus on areas that are tangential and necessary to support title litigation, such as creditors’ rights.

Schmitt earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his B.A. (magna cum laude) from Saint Louis University. He is admitted in Missouri, Illinois, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.

Schmitt is past president of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and executive committee member. After clerking for the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri, he joined Danna McKitrick as a promising young law clerk and worked his way up to principal. He was recognized in 2010 by The Missouri Bar Young Lawyer’s Section as a “Young Lawyer You Should Know.”

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Margaret L. Wichmann Joins Danna McKitrick, P.C.

With the Addition of the Second Intellectual Property Attorney in Less Than Six Months, Practice Group Continues Its Growth

Saint Louis, MO – January 17, 2012 – Danna McKitrick, P.C. has announced that Attorney Margaret L. Wichmann has joined the firm as an associate. Wichmann represents business clients in matters related to business transactions, intellectual property, employment law, and real estate.

Wichmann will be an integral part of the firm’s expansion of their intellectual property, according to Ruth A. Binger, principal with Danna McKitrick and head of the firm’s transactional department.

“We’re pleased to successfully recruit a candidate with Maggie’s advanced degree in intellectual property. She’s a great addition to our growing IP practice,” said Binger. “Additionally, her skills and temperament also mesh well with our transactional team and further expand Danna McKitrick’s service to its business clientele.”

Wichmann is experienced in real estate, corporate, and financial transactions as well as litigation support for intellectual property and commercial litigation. She has also assisted business owners with estate planning matters.

“Danna McKitrick is exactly the type of firm I was looking to join,” stated Wichmann. “For me, the firm is ideal in terms of the size, the clients I work for, the resources available to associates, and the potential for professional growth through mentoring relationships. It is a great place to practice law.”

During law school, Wichmann worked in the Judicial Clerkship Clinic for Judge William D. Stiehl in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Before law school, she worked as a legal assistant for a criminal attorney.

Wichmann has the unique experience of working as an intern in Bangkok, Thailand, studying the anti-trafficking laws in Southeast Asia and assisting in multi-lateral negotiations for the Thailand Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. She also participated in the Summer Institute for Global Justice at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Wichmann earned her LL.M. in Intellectual Property and J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Her credentials include: Dean’s List, Dagen-Legomsky Public Interest Fellowship, Cash-Nickerson Fellowship, Whitney R. Harris Wold Law Institute, Washington University Law Review Senior Editor and Staff Editor, Student Bar Association Faculty Appointments Committee, Environmental Moot Court Semi-Finalist, Women’s Law Caucus Executive Board Social Chair, International Humanitarian Law “Students as Teachers” Program Presenter, Negotiation Competition. She earned her B.A. in philosophy from Washington University.

Admitted in Missouri and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, Wichmann is a member of the American Bar Association, The Missouri Bar, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is the author of “Reaching Beyond Guantanamo: The Future of Counter-Terrorism Law in the United States,” 6 Cambridge Student Law Review 197 (2010).

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Scott B. Mueller Newly Elected Principal at Danna McKitrick: Firm Promotes Title Defense Attorney

St. Louis, MO – January 10, 2012 – Danna McKitrick is pleased to announce that Scott B. Mueller has been elected to the position of principal. Mueller leads the Title Litigation group for the firm and also practices in real estate, collection and banking law.

“Scott has brought his ‘A’ game to our firm during his tenure as an associate. He has developed our Title Defense department into one of the fastest growing practice areas in our firm,” says Ron Danna, senior principal and co-founder of the firm. “Scott is relentless in working on behalf of his clients to bring about the best solutions on their behalf.”

Mueller has worked in the real estate industry since 2003. He represents title insurance underwriters, insured owners, lenders and title agents. In addition to his work analyzing and resolving title claims, he handles lien priority disputes, mechanic’s liens, access and marketability defects, mortgage fraud issues and breach of contract claims. 

He also directly assists the firm’s lender clients with secured lending, mortgage issues and, if necessary, foreclosures. Mueller advises clients on properly documenting collateral, managing loan agreements and structure, and collections on delinquent loans.

Mueller is admitted to the bar in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. He is also admitted in the U.S. District Courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, the U.S. District Court of Kansas, and the U.S. District Courts in the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois and registered in the Cook County Bar.  Mueller is a frequent speaker at title and real property law CLE’s and seminars.

He graduated with his law degree in 2006 from St. Louis University School of Law with a specialization in Business Transactions. He received a B.A. and graduated with honors in history from Southern Illinois University in 2002.

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David A. Zobel Promoted to Associate by Danna McKitrick

Litigation Group Continues to Grow

David A. Zobel has been promoted to associate in the litigation department of Danna McKitrick, P.C. Zobel primarily represents individuals and corporations in the defense of civil litigation, including contract, negligence and real estate matters.

In addition to his court room work, Zobel assists in advising clients on contract and employment issues and regarding issues arising under the Sunshine Law.

“As a law student, I was attracted to Danna McKitrick’s breadth of practice areas. I valued the ability to gain experience in a multitude of legal areas working to solve issues for a variety of clients. As an attorney, I continue to value this firm’s coverage which often utilizes several practice areas in quickly and efficiently solving our clients’ matters,” Zobel stated.

Zobel is a great addition to the continually growing litigation practice of the firm, according to the head of the firm’s litigation group.

“We are constantly on the lookout for bright law students, and David has developed into a talented young attorney. Watching him grow over the past year and a half as a law clerk has given us the opportunity to see his strengths, and to know early on that we wanted him as a member of our litigation team,” said Daniel G. Tobben, principal and head of Danna McKitrick’s litigation department.

During law school, Zobel worked as an extern with the Missouri Court of Appeals, reviewing and summarizing appellate arguments and responses and drafting memoranda summarizing claims in preparation for oral arguments as well as memoranda on worker’s compensation, juvenile and criminal appeals.

He worked as a law clerk with Danna McKitrick in the areas of professional malpractice, real estate transactions, pensions and worker’s compensation. Zobel has experience in alternative dispute resolution on personal injury and wrongful death matters as well as client MSPRC lien claims matters, including negotiating lien settlements.

Zobel was an aide to Missouri State Senator Chuck Graham and worked across the state to promote the MOHELA reorganization bill.

He graduated cum laude from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2011, where his credentials include: Dean’s List, Journal of Health Law and Policy Staff Editor, Health Law Association, Legal Research and Writing Teaching Assistant. Zobel earned his B.S., cum laude, in political science with a leadership and public service minor from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2008.

Zobel is admitted to practice in Missouri and the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri. He is a member of the Missouri Bar and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

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Soraghan and Schmitt Named to Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 2011 has recognized Joseph R. Soraghan and Jeffrey R. Schmitt as two of the top attorneys in the state of Missouri for 2011.

For the second year in a row, Attorney Joseph R. Soraghan has been named as one of the top attorneys in Missouri by Super Lawyers. Only 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are honored.

Attorney Jeffrey R. Schmitt has been selected for inclusion on the Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars 2011 list. It is a recognition of up to 2.5 percent of “the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state — those who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less,” according to Super Lawyers.

“I am honored to be recognized on the 2011 Rising Stars list by attorneys around the state of Missouri, as well as by Super Lawyers. To be honored by peers in my chosen profession is truly humbling,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt, who practices in the areas of banking, real estate, construction, pensions and retirement plans, is also the president of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized by The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section in 2010 as a “Young Lawyer You Should Know.”

Soraghan’s primary practice areas include business law, securities, corporate finance, and alternative dispute resolution.

“Thomson Reuters is one of the nation’s premier legal publishers. I am truly honored to be selected again by Super Lawyers, one of its publications,” he said.

Soraghan has been recognized as one of the Top St. Louis Entrepreneurial Lawyers in St. Louis by St. Louis Small Business Monthly, and received the Financial Services Champion, Region VII award from the U.S. Small Business Association. He is the founding director and secretary of the Missouri Venture Forum.

The selection for inclusion in the list is made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Each year, the research team undertakes a rigorous, multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and good-standing and disciplinary checks.

Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Super Lawyers is located online at www.superlawyers.com, where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.

David P. Renovitch Joins Danna McKitrick, P.C.

GROWING FIRM EXPANDS INSURANCE DEFENSE, TITLE LITIGATION AND REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION PRACTICES WITH ADDITION OF EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY

St. Louis, MO – June 21, 2011 – The law firm of Danna McKitrick has announced that attorney David P. Renovitch has joined the firm. Renovitch brings his extensive litigation experience to the firm, especially in the areas of title litigation, recoupment and mechanic’s lien litigation, in Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin.

“I saw joining Danna McKitrick as an opportunity to not only continue my title insurance defense practice but also return to general insurance defense, which I practiced for the first half of my legal career,” stated Renovitch. “My goal is to integrate electronic discovery and systems into our litigation practices.” 

Renovitch assists in all phases of civil litigation, including analysis and strategy, drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, filing and arguing dispositive motions, mediation and trial.

Experienced in preparing appellate briefs at the state and federal appellate court level, Renovitch has first-chair trial experience and has argued in front of the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Renovitch’s litigation practice includes matters related to: defense of insurance companies and their insureds; titles; banking and lending; construction; and real estate.

“We are pleased and excited to bring David into our firm,” said Michael J. McKitrick, principal with Danna McKitrick. “His experience in the title and real estate litigation areas will add depth and additional practical knowledge to these growing practices in our firm.”

Renovitch earned his J.D. from University of Wisconsin—Madison Law School (2001). He received his B.A. in Philosophy from Trinity International University (1994). He is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Illinois Bar, the Wisconsin Bar, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

A frequent author and speaker on title and other real estate and construction related matters, Renovitch authored “Mechanic’s Lien Law:  Section 429.016 Establishes New Notice Requirements” in the May-June issue of the Journal of the Missouri Bar. He was also a recent speaker at two NBI-sponsored CLEs: “Advanced Title Issues,” February 2011 and “Illinois Foreclosures,” June 2011.

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Joe Soraghan Named One of the St. Louisans to Know

One of Danna McKitrick’s own, Joe Soraghan, has been named in St. Louis Small Business Monthly’s “100 St. Louisans to Know to Succeed in Business – 2011″.

Soraghan’s motivation to help small businesses first stems from the fact that small businesses constitute the bulk of business in this country and are likely the developers of new ideas, processes and products to improve people’s lives.

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Danna McKitrick Named as One of the Best Law Firms

Danna McKitrick, P.C. is honored to be named as a top law firm in the June 2011 issue of St. Louis Small Business Monthly: The Best in Business awards.

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Jeffrey L. Michelman joins Danna McKitrick as New Principal

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW ATTORNEY EXPANDS SERVICE OFFERINGS OF GROWING FIRM

St. Louis, MO – June 1, 2011 – The law firm of Danna McKitrick, P.C., announced today that intellectual property, information technology and entertainment law attorney Jeffrey L. Michelman has joined the firm as its newest principal.

Michelman is involved in intellectual property management and litigation in the U.S. and abroad. He assists his clients with the development, acquisition, use and licensing of products and services under intellectual property law, particularly trademarks, copyrights, and proprietary computer software. Michelman also advises clients on legal issues regarding E-commerce and social networking activities as well as protection of trade secrets and “know-how”.

“There is definitely a different perceived professional ethic in the Midwest,” he says. “We’re perceived as more client-oriented and cost-effective. With technology I can easily stay in contact with my clients nationwide and in foreign countries and provide the same services and quality as the firms on the East or West Coast. What’s more, I can do it at a fee rate that is more palatable than on either coast,” Michelman said.

Michelman’s substantial client work in entertainment law will take Danna McKitrick into a new practice area. Michelman reviews his clients’ print and broadcast material for compliance with copyrights and trade regulations. He also manages his clients’ contracts for publicity and performance work, public appearances, endorsements, licensing, recording contracts, movie and TV options and development deals, and book publication.

His experience in the entertainment field includes: endorsements contracts with A-list actors; recording contracts with Grammy Award-winning artists; reality TV productions; and contracts with Academy Award-nominated producers and American Idol contestants.

Michelman has participated in successful litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States regarding trademark matters and represented KangaROOS U.S.A. against numerous corporations around the world for patent infringement. He has also represented an entertainment conglomerate in trademark and copyright infringement suits against clothing manufacturers that were settled favorably. Michelman recently successfully represented distributors for the South Butt parody clothing line.

“Jeff’s unique legal experience brings additional depth to the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice,” said Ruth Binger, Principal with Danna McKitrick. “Intellectual property issues continue to become more prominent as our lives center around technology. We anticipate Jeff’s extensive experience in this area of law will put the firm ahead of the curve in intellectual property now and into the future.”

Michelman earned his J.D. with Honors from Villanova University, an M.E. from Washington University in St. Louis, and his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University. He has served as an adjunct professor at both St. Louis University School of Law and Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. The founder and co-chair of the E-Commerce and Computer Law Committee of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Michelman is a frequent speaker and noted author on intellectual property and entertainment law subjects and issues. He holds the honor of being a decorated Captain in the United States Army.

In addition to these professional accomplishments, Michelman has participated in numerous community activities: President, Inventors Association of St. Louis; Vice President, Art St. Louis; Board Member, Edison Theater, Washington University; Chair, Small Business Committee, St. Louis Counts; Graduate, Leadership St. Louis.

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Clayton Chamber of Commerce Appoints Schmitt President

St. Louis, MO – Danna McKitrick, P.C. attorney, Jeffrey R. Schmitt is the newest president of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce effective January 2011 for a one-year term. Schmitt succeeds Sabrina Robb in this role. Schmitt’s involvement in the Chamber began in 2006, as a participant in the Chamber’s Leadership Clayton program. He later served as co-chair of the Leadership Clayton program from 2008 to 2009, and joined the Chamber’s board of directors in 2008 for a three-year term.

Schmitt believes this is an exciting time for the Clayton Chamber of Commerce: “Despite a recovering economic climate, the Chamber’s growth exceeded expectations last year. New membership and renewals continue to rise which leads to a resurgence in participation in events and programs.” And his commitment to the Clayton Chamber is inspired, largely, by the high-level of participation of other local business owners and workers.

“Clayton is a unique business community because it combines a true commercial center with thriving tourism, successful restaurants and retailers, and exceptional educational institutions, from K-12 to world-class universities,” explains Schmitt.

“The residents of Clayton understand and appreciate the contributions of the business community and they, along with everyone from savvy entrepreneurs, to major international businesses like Enterprise and Brown Shoe, are deeply invested in Clayton and the city’s impact on our region.”

About what to expect from the Clayton Chamber of Commerce over the coming year, Schmitt has much to say:

“The Chamber continues to offer its members a range of business-related programming such as monthly Power Hour lunches, Leadership Clayton, and the State of the City event, as well as networking opportunities like the Art of Tasting and the Chamber Golf League. And for anyone (member or non-member) the Chamber is making available the opportunity to participate in Discover China—a coordinated trip to China at an incredible price. This is the first event of its kind for us, and we are excited about the early interest in this fall’s trip.

“We also just recently announced that the ever-popular Parties in the Park will, for the first time, move out of Shaw Park into Clayton’s central business district where Meramec Ave. will transform into a pedestrian street for one night a month, complete with food, drink, music and fun. We hope this move will stimulate traffic of local merchants and coincide with the city’s master plan for Clayton.”

About Jeff Schmitt: His commercial and general civil litigation practice includes financial and lending, construction, and real estate law, as well as providing general legal counsel for small to mid-sized businesses. Earning his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and B.A. (magna cum laude) from Saint Louis University, he also completed the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy and Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers Trial Academy. He is a member of Transportation Lawyers Association and was named in 2010 as a “Young Lawyer You Should Know” by The Missouri Bar Young Lawyer’s Section. Schmitt is a member of the board at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

About Clayton Chamber of Commerce: Since its founding in 1952, the Chamber has been an integral part of the Clayton community, helping area businesses uncover new opportunities in St. Louis and beyond. Members benefit from networking opportunities, legislative support, health insurance alternatives and a variety of other resources to increase business’ effectiveness. www.claytoncommerce.com

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