Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC is a civil defense litigation firm with offices across the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, representing clients in single disputes and complex mass tort cases. The firm's attorneys have earned recognition for courtroom excellence and trial success, including recent defense verdicts and professional honors from Missouri's legal community.

About

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC is a civil defense litigation firm headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with a regional and national practice spanning the Midwest and beyond. The firm handles matters ranging from single disputes to complex mass tort cases, representing clients across multiple industries and jurisdictional boundaries.

The firm maintains a multi-state presence, with offices in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; Belleville and Edwardsville, Illinois; Overland Park, Kansas; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and locations in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. This geographic footprint enables Baker Sterchi to serve clients with litigation needs across diverse markets and to manage cases efficiently at both the local and national level.

The firm's attorneys are recognized for their courtroom capabilities and professional leadership within the legal community. Notable recent honors and appointments include Scott Kreamer's selection to the 2026 Missouri Lawyers Media Business Defense POWER List and Tom Rice's selection for the 2026 Missouri Lawyers Media ICON Award, reflecting the firm's standing among Missouri's defense bar. Charniece Rollie has been appointed to the International Facility Management Association's Professional Development Committee, demonstrating expertise and leadership in specialized practice areas. The firm's lawyers are active contributors to the broader legal profession, with attorneys speaking at continuing legal education events, including presentations on trial strategy and contemporary litigation topics.

Baker Sterchi has demonstrated success in trial work, securing defense verdicts for clients in contested matters. The firm's recent case outcomes include a defense verdict obtained for a nonprofit client in an emotional distress dispute trial, illustrating its ability to defend clients across different types of disputes and organizational contexts.

The firm engages in consulting work in addition to litigation services, providing clients with expert analysis and strategic guidance on complex legal issues. The firm also tracks significant legal developments affecting its clients, including regulatory and statutory changes in areas such as construction law and asbestos litigation.

With a 5-star Google rating, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice maintains a reputation for client service and professional excellence. The firm is positioned to serve business and organizational clients seeking experienced defense counsel for civil litigation matters, whether at the trial level or in more complex, multi-party disputes.

Overview compiled from the firm's website