Spencer Fane attorneys Wale Akinmoladun, DJ Pierre, and Elizabeth Wente were selected for Missouri Lawyers Media’s (MLM) “Up and Coming” awards, which recognizes “attorneys achieving at the highest levels.”
Honorees are acknowledged for their successes in their legal careers and involvement in the community. The MLM’s process for identifying attorneys includes peer nominations and a thoughtful selection review.
Wale and DJ were recognized as “Up and Coming” honorees for being “remarkable attorneys early in their careers” that are “succeeding now.” Elizabeth was awarded the “Law Firm Leaders” category, which recognized her leadership and mentorship.
When describing “Law Firm Leaders,” MLM noted that “[n]ot only are they exceptional in their own careers, but they pay it forward by reaching back and offering a hand up. They recognize that true success often relies on a listening ear or a word of warning about challenges they’ve faced on their own similar paths.”
At Spencer Fane, Wale defends clients in litigation, which includes ERISA claims related to benefit denials and fringe benefit contributions, contract-based provider payment claims for a managed care organization, and includes employment, premises liability, and other claims for the firm’s insurance, school district, and construction clients. DJ is a member of the firm’s government relations and litigation groups, helping clients in and outside of the courtroom on a variety of matters, including the navigation of local and state level legislation and regulation. DJ serves on multiple non-profit boards and is the mayoral appointed chair of one of Kansas City’s economic development boards. Elizabeth assists employers with various labor and employment related matters in an effort to improve employee relations and mitigate the potential for employment litigation. Elizabeth has held multiple leadership roles within and outside the firm and currently serves as the firm’s DEI Chair.
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