SEP 2022

A Full Service Business And Estate Planning Law Firm

Greetings! The year 2022 has been full of exciting times at Carnahan Evans, starting with the launch of a complete rebrand for our firm. This included the creation of a new law firm logo, name change, and physical updates to our office. Each of these improvements was meant to ensure we remain on the leading edge of legal trends and enhance the services offered to our clients, all while continuing to honor and respect our firm's strong history in this community and statewide.

We now welcome you to our rebranded newsletter! Our attorneys place emphasis on writing informative articles to keep you abreast of changes in the law and timely opportunities to protect your assets along with newsworthy happenings here at Carnahan Evans.

About Us

Carnahan Evans PC is a full-service business, dispute resolution, and estate planning law firm with a depth of 18 attorneys in the areas of corporate, estate planning, litigation, tax, real estate, and medical marijuana. Founded in 1979, Carnahan Evans is locally owned and operated, noted for its commitment to providing superior client service to a diverse client base, including national and regional businesses, financial institutions, not for profit organizations, and individual clients.

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Judge Bill Francis to return to private practice

Bill Francis, who recently retired as a judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District, is returning to private practice.

Attorney Shawn Battagler Joins the Firm

Carnahan Evans welcomes Shawn Battagler!

Shawn P. Battagler is Of Counsel with the Firm and focuses his practice on Corporate and Rural Electric Cooperative Law. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri state courts and before the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Joseph (Chip) Dow Sheppard III - Litigation - Securities

Thomas D. Peebles, Jr. - Trusts and Estates

Douglas R. Nickell - Trusts and Estates

2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America^™

Andrew T. Peebles - Trusts and Estates

David K. Olive - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Tax Law

Carnahan Evans is pleased to announce that three lawyers have been named to 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America^® and two lawyers named to 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America^™.

Protecting Your Assets: Practical Ways To Limit Liability

By: Christiaan D. Horton

Many people know that doing business as a corporation or a limited liability company has benefits for asset and liability protection. In today’s world, it is easy to access the Missouri Secretary of State’s website and input the information necessary to generate a Certificate of Organization for a limited liability company. The cost is minimal, but many operate under the false pretense that this initial step is “mission accomplished” – that they now have a solid personal liability shield providing protection of personal assets from future business creditors.

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Spoliation of Evidence: How a Pre-Trial Evidentiary Issue Can Make or Break a Lawsuit

By: Kirk A. Kaczmarek

Evidence is critical to litigation — every legal argument made in the courtroom needs supporting evidence. So, it is not surprising that TV and film depictions of courtrooms often depict attorneys introducing bombshell evidence or proclaiming “Objection!” to spectacularly win a case. However, these Hollywood dramatizations fail to show that many of the most important evidentiary issues are resolved before trial. By confronting these evidentiary issues early, your attorney can increase the likelihood of winning in court or obtaining a favorable settlement.

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Private Businesses Need to Prepare for Corporate Transparency Act Compliance

By: Robert E. Petrowsky

Private business owners should prepare for compliance with a recently enacted law known as the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”). The CTA will require businesses to report information regarding beneficial ownership to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) in the near future. The purpose of the CTA is to create an ownership database and streamline criminal investigations to minimize money laundering and other financial crimes. While the regulations are not finalized yet, business owners should start preparing for compliance in advance.

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