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Katie Schwalb

Katie Schwalb, Esq.

Katie’s practice focuses on counseling clients on business and intellectual property matters.  She counsels start-ups, established businesses, farms, artists, writers, and photographers on contract, copyright, trademark, advertising, and general business issues.  She has practiced in state and federal courts.  

 

Katie is an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado School of Law, where she has taught copyright law and legal writing.

  

In addition to advising clients on legal matters, Katie also researches and writes articles for attorneys seeking publication in legal magazines, websites, or firm marketing materials. 

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Katie grew up on a farm in rural Kansas.  Her agricultural background has provided her with a strong work ethic and grounding that she brings to her practice.  She seeks to add value to her clients’ businesses through efficient and well-researched advice. 

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  • PRACTICE PROFILE
    Complex Business and Agribusiness Litigation Alternative Dispute Resolution Antitrust Counseling Business and Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions
  • EXPERIENCE
    Over 40 years' experience in complex civil litigation and business representation. Practice is primarily devoted to the representation of mid-sized banks, agricultural and business entities in the areas above noted. Partner, Lee Schwalb LLC, 2022 – Present Partner, Lee Law LLC, 2022 General Counsel, National Crop Insurance Services, 2012 – 2022 Partner, Martindell Swearer Shaffer Ridenour LLP, 1979 – 2012
  • REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS
    Litigation Prosecution of breach of contract and fraud action against a Kansas grain cooperative with total damages, affirmed on appeal, of 2.2 million dollars. Successful defense as co-counsel in class litigation seeking $90 million for two certified classes alleging damages from leakage of natural gas from underground storage facility. Successful defense of physician in relation to litigation seeking damages in excess of $100,000 and injunctive relief involving allegations of breach of a noncompetition covenant. Prosecution of products liability action seeking damages for economic losses suffered as the result of application of a chemical to a commercial potato crop with a confidential settlement exceeding 95% of the pre-suit demand. Successful prosecution of securities arbitration with claimed damages in excess of $1,000,000. Successful defense, by summary judgment, of national banking group in multimillion-dollar litigation involving allegations of breach of contract in relation to loan participation obligations. Successful defense verdict in representation of regional bank group in lender liability litigation seeking in excess of $750,000 in damages. Successful representation of regional bank group in recovering approximately $500,000 in cattle proceeds converted by feed yards. Successful summary judgment motion in favor of hospital group sued by group funded health insurance pool seeking damages in excess of $200,000. Successful litigation on behalf of shareholders of closely held regional telephone company resulting in payments to nineteen shareholders in excess of $50,000 per share. Successful defense of regional highway construction and aggregate supplier in multimillion dollar litigation alleging the production and supply of defective concrete aggregate. Successful defense of regional industrial gas supplier against multimillion dollar claim that a senior corporate officer engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment and discrimination. Successful defense in Pennsylvania and Kansas federal courts of the global leader in contract monitoring for the oil and gas pipeline industry in relation to multimillion dollar tortious interference and unfair competition claims. Mergers and Acquisitions Representation of agricultural implement manufacturer in merger transaction valued in excess of 60 million dollars. Representation of consolidated group of agricultural implement dealers in a series of acquisitions valued in excess of 35 million dollars. Representation of industrial gas retail and processing entity in a series of acquisitions valued in excess of 20 million dollars. Representation of industrial gas retail and processing entity as seller in asset acquisition valued in excess of 45 million dollars. Representation of shareholders in an environmental technology company in divestiture transaction valued in excess of 15 million dollars. Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience Service on panel concerning dispute between global Agri-chemical companies regarding entitlement to injunctive relief and damages in excess of $500,0000 in relation to genetically modified seed agreements. Presiding arbitrator in dispute seeking damages in excess of $300,000 and injunctive relief in respect to alleged violations of covenant not to compete in a franchise setting. Presiding arbitrator in various arbitrations regarding crop insurance disputes. Chair of arbitration panel concerning a multi-million dollar dispute among cattle feed yard investors. Service on arbitration panel concerning dispute between investors in the preeminent quarter horse stallion in the nation in which damages exceeded one million dollars. Successful multi-million dollar arbitration in favor of regional general construction contractor seeking additional compensation for disruption, constructive acceleration, and scope changes in the contract.
  • PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
    American Bar Association – Litigation, Business and Antitrust Sections American Bar Association Foundation Kansas Bar Association Corporation, Business, and Banking Section - Past President Litigation Section Agricultural Law Section Past Member, Board of Editors, Journal of the Kansas Bar Association American Agricultural Law Association Past Member, Board of Directors, Kansas Bar Foundation
  • PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
    Publications Shepherding a Business Sale, 85 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION JOURNAL Rights, Obligation and Liabilities of Promoters, Stockholders, Officers, Directors, and Successor Corporations, KANSAS CORPORATION LAW AND PRACTICE, 4th ed. The Kansas Venue Statute: Where Does a Cause of Action Arise? 64 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, no. 6, p. 20 When Professionals Collide - Lawyers' Responses to Auditors' Requests, 61 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, no. 2, p. 27 The Auditor Cometh, THE COMPLEAT LAWYER, no. 3, p. 18 Private Financing for Small Businesses, 58 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, no. 9, p. 15 Equipment Leases Under the Uniform Commercial Code, 57 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, no. 1, p. 27 Speaking Engagements Antitrust Compliance, NATIONAL CROP INSURANCE SERVICES, 2013 – 2020 Anatomy of a Crop Insurance Dispute, NATIONAL CROP INSURANCE SERVICES, 2015, 2017, 2019 Crop and Livestock Insurance Law, AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, 2012 An Introduction to Acquiring or Selling the Privately Held Company, KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION Revised Article 9, KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING Negotiating and Drafting Business Acquisition Agreements, KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION CORPORATION LAW VIDEOCAST SEMINAR Executive Compensation Strategies and Business Succession, KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR Structuring Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION Kansas Corporation Law, KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D.C. BAR ASSOCIATION (via satellite) Third Party Legal Opinions, KANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, BUSINESS LAW INSTITUTE Franchise Law for the Franchisee Lawyer, AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION MEETING, ATLANTA
  • AWARDS AND HONORS
    Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America Who's Who in American Law Missouri - Kansas Super Lawyer
  • BAR ADMISSIONS
    Kansas Colorado 10th Circuit Court of Appeals United States District Court for the District of Kansas
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