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Patrick J. (Pat) Whalen

Partner

Spencer Fane attorney Pat Whalen

T 816.292.8237
F 816.474.3216
pwhalen@spencerfane.com

Spencer Fane Releases Second Annual DEI Report

As part of the firm’s continued, expanding commitment to essential DEI principles, the Spencer Fane Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is pleased to release its second annual DEI Report.

Pat Whalen Weighs in on ‘The Lawyer’s Need for Autonomy’ with The American Lawyer

Spencer Fane Chair Pat Whalen shared a leader’s perspective on the return of in-office work for the legal industry in a recent article by The American Lawyer.

The American Lawyer: Spencer Fane ‘Led the Way’ in Missouri Growth in 2022

As part of its annual AmLaw 200 coverage, The American Lawyer highlighted Spencer Fane for having ‘led the way’ in 2022 with revenue growth that continued to outpace peer firms in Missouri. Spencer Fane has posted double-digit revenue growth each year for the past decade as the firm has built a platform to provide clients the talent and resources they need in geographies where they do business.

Pat Whalen Discusses 2023 Work Trends and Client Demand with Law360

Spencer Fane Chair Pat Whalen recently spoke with Law360 reporter Emma Cueto about the areas of law he foresees being most in demand in 2023.

Spencer Fane Elects 11 New Partners in 2023

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce 11 attorneys have been elected to the partnership, maintaining the firm’s robust internal advancement pipeline. The new partners include Preston Enoch (Dallas), Zach Fairlie (Kansas City), Thomas Hiatt (Kansas City), Jacob Hollars (Denver), Nicole Karam (Dallas), Drew O’Malley (Tampa), Karen Olson (Minneapolis), Laurie Patton (Plano), Nicole Peykov (Denver), Kayla Scroggins-Uptigrove (Denver), and Beth Siemer (St. Louis). The elections were effective January 1, 2023.

Kansas City Business Journal Features Spencer Fane Growth, Focus on Culture

The Kansas City Business Journal recently spotlighted how Spencer Fane is able to attract top talent through its powerful firm culture. The feature article also highlighted the firm’s growth, even calling Spencer Fane “one of the fastest-growing law firms in the U.S. over the past decade.”

Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Recognizes 26 Attorneys

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that 16 firm attorneys have been selected to the 2022 edition of Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers and 10 attorneys have been recognized on the Rising Stars list.

Pat Whalen and Julia M. Vander Weele Recognized on Ingram’s 250 List

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce Chair and Managing Partner Pat Whalen and Kansas City Managing Partner Julia Vander Weele have been included among the city’s top business leaders in the 2022 Ingram’s 250: The Elite of Kansas City Business, an annual list of the most influential leaders in the Kansas City region.

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 201 Spencer Fane Attorneys

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that 201 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Best Lawyers in America in 70 practice areas.

Kansas City Business Journal Spotlights Drivers Behind Spencer Fane Growth

The Kansas City Business Journal recently featured Spencer Fane’s industry-leading growth trajectory in an article spotlighting the firm as being among the fastest-growing in the nation.

Missouri Lawyers Weekly Features ‘Long Streak of Growth’ at Spencer Fane

In a recent article, Pandemic Fails to Slow Down Missouri’s Largest Firms, Missouri Lawyers Weekly featured Spencer Fane by highlighting the firm’s ongoing growth initiatives in the MOney 2022 special section, an annual report on the financial rankings of top Missouri law firms.

72 Spencer Fane Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that 72 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 edition of the Super Lawyers list. The list includes:

Pat Whalen and Shawn Whitney Recognized as NLJ Trailblazers

Spencer Fane attorneys Pat Whalen and Shawn Whitney were recently selected by The National Law Journal (NLJ) as “Trailblazers.” The NLJ recognized Pat as a Crisis Leadership Trailblazer and Shawn as a Real Estate-Construction Trailblazer.

‘Best Lawyers in America’ Recognizes 132 Spencer Fane Attorneys

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that 132 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch. Attorneys are recognized in their respective practice areas.

Pat Whalen Discusses Resiliency During Pandemic

Spencer Fane Chair Pat Whalen was recently featured in a Westlaw Today article discussing the pandemic’s impact on the legal industry.

Pat Whalen Discusses Spencer Fane Value Proposition in The American Lawyer

Spencer Fane Chair Pat Whalen was recently featured in an article in The American Lawyer in which the legal publication spotlighted the firm’s unique position in the industry as clients are expected to increasingly apply rate pressure on larger competitors.

Pat Whalen and Amy Mistler Named ‘Law Firm Leaders’ by Missouri Lawyers Media

Spencer Fane attorneys Pat Whalen, firm Chair, and Amy Mistler, Managing Partner in St. Louis, were recognized by Missouri Lawyers Media (MLM) as Law Firm Leaders honorees for 2021.

Continued Growth at Spencer Fane Through the Pandemic Featured in Bloomberg Law Article

Bloomberg Law recently published an article detailing the Spencer Fane growth model and recent gains in revenue — a trend that continued during the pandemic. The article, titled “Spencer Fane Adds 10 Lawyers to Avoid Pandemic ‘Survival Mode,’” highlights the recent addition of a lateral group of insurance litigators in Denver as evidence of the firm’s continued commitment to growing in alignment with client needs.

Partners Re-Elect Whalen to 3rd Term as Firm Chair, Maintain Commitment to Growth Strategy

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce the partnership unanimously voted to re-elect Patrick J. Whalen to his third four-year term as Chair of the growing firm.

57 Spencer Fane Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that 57 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2020 edition of the Super Lawyers list. The list includes:

Pat Whalen and Elizabeth Fast Highlight Firm’s Commitment to Financial Services Industry

The Kansas City Business Journal recently interviewed Spencer Fane Chair Patrick J. Whalen and attorney Elizabeth Fast for an article on how a focus on financial services and bankruptcy matters drives the firm’s current growth pattern.

Spencer Fane Joins Law Firm Antiracism Alliance

Spencer Fane is proud to have a culture that values diversity and inclusion and continually strives to elevate the voices of people and communities of color. In our commitment to promote racial equity in the law, we are pleased to announce the firm has joined the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA).

“Best Lawyers in America” Recognizes 79 Spencer Fane Attorneys

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that 79 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Attorneys are recognized in their respective practice areas.

Rising in Ranks: Law360 400 and NLJ 500 Reflect Spencer Fane Growth

As Spencer Fane has continued its strategic growth into new markets, aligning its practice with clients’ expanding business needs, the firm has continued to capture the attention of national legal media that track movement among the largest law firms in the nation.

Missouri Lawyers Weekly: Spencer Fane 2019 Growth Attributed to Strong Culture

Missouri Lawyers Weekly recently recognized Spencer Fane as having the “single best performance by a large Missouri law firm in 2019” in an annual report measuring firms across the state, but the firm’s growth was not its only stand-out characteristic.

Spencer Fane Growth in Texas Featured in Multiple Publications

Spencer Fane chairman and managing partner, Pat Whalen, was featured in an article published in both the Kansas City Business Journal and Houston Business Journal discussing the firm’s growth in Texas.

54 Spencer Fane Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce that 54 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2019 edition of the Super Lawyers list. The names with asterisks have been recognized as Rising Stars. The list includes:

Spencer Fane Growth Featured in Law360

Spencer Fane chairman and managing partner, Pat Whalen, was recently featured in a Law360 article discussing the growth of the firm.

“Best Lawyers in America” Recognizes 70 Spencer Fane Attorneys

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that 70 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2020 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Attorneys are recognized in their respective practice areas.

Pat Whalen named to Business Journals’ National Influencers List

Spencer Fane Chairman Pat Whalen has been selected for The Business Journals’ national list of 100 notable attorneys.

Spencer Fane “Phenomenal Growth” Featured in Missouri Lawyers Weekly

Spencer Fane LLP was recently featured in Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s MOney issue, its annual special report on the financial rankings of top Missouri law firms.

Spencer Fane Strategic Growth Model Featured in The American Lawyer

In a recent article titled “Strategic Growth Propels Spencer Fane Into Big Law’s Big Leagues,” The American Lawyer details the firm’s growth over the past five years.

Pat Whalen interviewed by KC Business Journal on Firm Growth

Spencer Fane chairman, Pat Whalen, was recently interviewed by the Kansas City Business Journal about the firm’s continued growth and success.

57 Spencer Fane Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce that 57 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of the Super Lawyers list. The names in italics have been recognized as Rising Stars. The list includes:

Patrick J. Whalen Recognized on Ingram’s 250 List

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Patrick J. Whalen has been recognized by Ingram’s as a member of the 2018 Ingram’s 250 list of the most influential business leaders in the Kansas City region.

Pat Whalen Shares Insights with the Kansas City Business Journal on Spencer Fane Growth

The Kansas City Business Journal recently interviewed Spencer Fane Chairman Patrick J. Whalen to discuss the Spencer Fane growth over the past several years.

Forty Spencer Fane Attorneys Recognized by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce that 40 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers list.

Ron Fano and Pat Whalen Discuss Spencer Fane Growth in Law Week Colorado

In a recent article published in Law Week Colorado, Denver Office Managing Partner Ron Fano and Managing Partner Pat Whalen were interviewed about the growth that Spencer Fane has experienced in the past few years.

Spencer Fane Featured in Missouri Lawyers Weekly

In an article titled “Efficient Growth,” Missouri Lawyers Weekly recently interviewed Managing Partner Patrick J. Whalen about the client demand that’s driving the firm’s growth.

Pat Whalen Shares Insights with the Kansas City Business Journal on Spencer Fane Growth

The Kansas City Business Journal recently interviewed Chairman Pat Whalen to discuss the Spencer Fane growth over the past several years. 

Andy Federhar and Pat Whalen Quoted in Az Big Media

Az Big Media recently published an article about the new Spencer Fane office in Phoenix. The article quotes Spencer Fane Phoenix Office Managing Partner Andy Federhar, mentioning that “The Esplanade is the perfect location to best serve our clients. We are committed to making this location a base from which we will expand our presence in Phoenix.”

Spencer Fane Managing Partner Patrick J. Whalen Recognized By Ingram’s

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Patrick J. Whalen has been recognized by Ingram’s Magazine as an inaugural member of the Ingram’s 250 list of the most influential business leaders in the Kansas City region.

Pat Whalen Shares Insights on Spencer Fane Growth

The Kansas City Business Journal recently interviewed Chairman Pat Whalen to discuss the Spencer Fane growth that has it “standing above the crowd” in terms of revenue and income growth.

General Counsel Name Whalen a Client Service All-Star

After in-depth interviews with more than 300 general counsel and legal decision-makers at large organizations with $1 billion or more in revenue, BTI Consulting Group recognized Spencer Fane Chairman Pat Whalen as one of the nation’s best in providing superior client service.

Spencer Fane Chairman Named ‘Cyber Security Trailblazer’

Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that firm Chairman Pat Whalen was recently recognized as a Cyber Security Trailblazer by The National Law Journal for his accomplishments on behalf of clients in this emerging area of law.

The Wickford Group Chats with Spencer Fane’s Chairman, Pat Whalen, about the Firm’s Unrelenting Focus on Their Clients’ Interests

The Wickford Group, a leading consulting and training company serving law firms and in-house legal departments, selected Pat Whalen, Chairman of Spencer Fane, as its subject in the latest edition of Insights.

Pat Whalen to Speak on Cybersecurity at Knowledge Group Event

Spencer Fane Chairman Pat Whalen was recently asked to speak on cybersecurity as part of The Knowledge Group’s Live Webcast Series.

Spencer Fane Invests $5.5M on Downtown Kansas City Expansion

As reported by the Kansas City Business Journal, Spencer Fane is nearing completion of the $5.5 million renovation and expansion of its Kansas City headquarters located in the Commerce Bank building at 1000 Walnut St. Last April, the firm announced that it would recommit to its current office space, which resides in the heart of Downtown Kansas City, by signing a new 12-year lease.

Missouri Lawyers Weekly Recognizes Pat Whalen Law Firm Leader of the Year

Missouri Lawyers Weekly has selected Spencer Fane Chair Pat Whalen as a Law Firm Leader of the Year for his successful leadership and growth of the firm into new markets.

Spencer Fane Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in 2014 Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska Super Lawyers®

Spencer Fane congratulates 44 of our attorneys selected for inclusion in 2014 Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska Super Lawyers®. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers. Attorneys are selected for inclusion by their peers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a rigorous multi-phased process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area.