Villa Ridge Lawyers

Samantha L. Shepherd JD, LLM, CELA
Samantha practices exclusively in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning and Special Needs Law. She received her undergraduate degree in 1990 from Tulane University in New Orleans, cum laude. She earned her law degree from Boston College Law School and received an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Samantha currently serves on the Board of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and as Chair of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Trust and Estates Committee. Formerly the Chair of the Missouri Bar Elder Law Committee and past President of...

Graduated Mountain Grove High School, 1982. Graduated Southwest Missouri State University, BS in Accounting, 1986. Graduated University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, JD in 1993. Local representation, personal service.

Eric was born in Saint Joseph, MO. His father, Ronald M. Sokol, was a St. Joe attorney for decades who successfully argued a U.S. Supreme Court case while in his twenties (Wilwording v. Swenson). At six, Eric moved to the Parkville area of Kansas City and later graduated Park Hill High School as one of multiple valedictorians. Eric graduated with an associate degree in paralegal studies from Drury University in 2015. He then worked for years as a paralegal for Springfield-area law firms offering services including personal injury plaintiff representation, family law, criminal defense, traffic citations, bankruptcy, worker’s compensation, business...

Brian Barjenbruch has been a practicing attorney since 2002, having had the opportunity to work with and learn from many talented and well-respected members of the Kansas City metropolitan bar. Mr. Barjenbruch is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas, and has represented clients at the trial court and appellate court levels, and in arbitrations before the National Association of Securities Dealers (predecessor to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Barjenbruch has litigated and resolved dozens of cases, including claims for wrongful termination, employment discrimination, employment contracts, fraud, breach of contract, personal injury, worker’s compensation...

What drew Patrick to the practice of law was the opportunity to help those who have experienced real tragedies. For over 20 years, Patrick has fought for the injured, for victims of serious negligence. From trucking accidents to catastrophic injuries, he has dedicated his entire career to protecting those facing an uphill battle against negligent large companies who hide behind their insurance companies and defense attorneys. When you need a skilled trial attorney to advocate for you, one who will not back down to powerful corporations, turn to Patrick.

has practiced in the areas of consumer bankruptcy, real estate, and collections. Vick Law Firm, LLC, focuses heavily in the area of consumer bankruptcy, and Meredyth Vick has proudly helped debtors file Chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcy to stop foreclosures, repossessions, garnishments, and to get relief from credit card debt, medical bills, and the like.

M. Blake Heath is the lead trial attorney for the firm. He grew up in the small town of East Prairie, Missouri and attended Westminster College for his undergraduate degree. Blake received his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he graduated cum laude. During law school Blake served as a Notes & Comment Editor for the UMKC Law Review. He was also on the Executive Board for the Ellison Moot Court Competition, and was a legal intern for the Honorable Duane Benton on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Blake has dedicated his career to...

Gerald started his own practice in October 2015 after working for a mid-sized firm for over a year. He has built his practice on the principals of being "inspired by the pursuit of faith, family and fairness" as his motto. His practice consists of personal and job related injuries, employment discrimination and retaliation, as well as well Probate. Gerald is married with three children. He is very active in his church and within the community.

Born and raised overseas. Son of a military family; wide exposure to various cultures. Licensed to practice in Kansas and aMissouri. Representing people who need the best representation possible. I have taken on complex criminal cases and tried over 169 jury trials with a high percentage of acquittals. If your looking for the best then you have found the right attorneys.