Duane Martin
Attorney
Duane is the father of six children, all of whom attend Missouri public schools or universites. As a first generation college graduate, Duane understands the profound impact public educators have had on his life. Duane founded EdCounsel to support and defend public schools and school leaders in the hope that he could positively impact the lives of as many children as possible, including his own
Emily Omohundro
Attorney
Emily joined EdCounsel at its inception in 2014. Since that time, her practice has focused on general counsel matters, working through issues in real time with clients to reach practical and timely solutions. Outside of work, she spends time with her husband, Matt, and their children, Lila , Max, and Moses. Emily also devotes her time to her position as Board member for the Fulton Public Schools
J. Drew Marriott
Attorney
Drew joined the firm in April of 2014 with a passion to serve public educators. His practice focuses on guiding and counseling school leaders through both litigation and general counsel matters. When he's not in a Board meeting or courtroom, you can find Drew spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Tom Smith
Attorney
Tom joined EdCounsel in the summer of 2014. While he practices all areas of school law, his main focus has been on bidding, contracts, and Board governance. When he's not in the office, he can usually be found at the rugby field, at home watching a Cardinals' game, or spending time with friends and family
Brian Mayer
Attorney
Brian joined the firm in2014. He focuses on defending school districts in court against claims made by employees, contracts and other litigants. in his free time, he enjoys having fun with his two young daughters, playing games and reading books.
Ryan VanFleet
Attorney
Ryan recently joined the firm and focuses his practice in both general counsel
and litigation matters. Ryan spends his free time with his wife and three children.
Rachel Meystedt
Attorney
Prior to joining the Edcounsel team, Rachel worked as legal counsel for the Office of Special Education within the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, now she uses this experience to provide counsel to school leaders on the variety of complex legal matters districts face every day.
Madelynn Garrett
Attorney
Madelynn previously worked as legal counsel in the Office of Special Education at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, where she gained valuable experience in school and special education law. She served as counsel for the Office's compliance section, acted as the liaison to the Administrative Hearing Commission for due process hearings, assisted the Attorney General's Office with special education litigation, and counseled the state operated schools. Madelynn also counseled the Department on personnel matters and served as a teacher discipline hearing officer,
Adam Li
Attorney
Adam brings his knowledge and experience of civil litigation and insurance defense to the EdCounsel team. He has years of experience working on behalf of various public entities in southwest Missouri, including school districts, in state and federal court, Adam has handled a wide variety of issues, including personal injury and wrongful death and contract cases. In addition he has successfully litigated complex civil rights issues in state and federal courts. This varied experience enables Adam to analyze complex, interrelated statutory and regulatory frameworks, and then help his clients smoothly navigate the issues they present.
Haley Claxton
Attorney
Haley is a lifelong supporter of public education, having spent her full academic life in public schools and universities. - Haley received her B.A. in History from Kansas State University, then attended the University of Kansas School of Law, where she was served as the Executive Note and Comment Editor of the Kansas Law Review and legal assistant for the University's Spencer Museum of Art. During law school, Haley also worked in Washington D.C. as a law clerk to the Library of Congress Office of the General Counsel.
Jacob Ventrillo
Attorney
As a Columbia native, and son of a public-school teacher, Jacob has been a life-long proponent of public education. After graduating from Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Jacob went on to attend the University of Missouri, where he obtained both a degree in Political Science, as well as his Juris Doctorate. During law school, Jacob worked as an assistant to the General Counsel at Veterans United.