Kate began her career as a commercial litigator with an emphasis in environmental law, however, now focuses her practice in the area of real estate law.
Overview
Kate has represented clients in sales, acquisitions and development of commercial real estate; commercial financing and leasing involving theaters, resorts, charter schools, office, retail and industrial properties; construction; shopping center financing; reciprocal easement and operating agreements; and conservation easements. Kate also has provided local counsel opinions on various real estate matters.
Experience
- Counsel to a major developer in connection with the construction of a 1.14 million square feet state-of-the-art Internal Revenue Service processing center, including the renovation of the historic Main Post Office Building, and the relocation of, and renovation of facilities for, the United States Postal Service in the Railway Express Building and the Grand Hall of Union Station
- Representation as Kansas and Missouri counsel to the developer/owner and to the lender in the development, permitting and financing of wind projects
- Represented a NYSE-listed specialty Real Estate Investment Trust, specializing in destination megaplex theaters and entertainment retail center properties, and ski parks and previously one of the nation’s largest institutional owners of public charter school properties
- Represented a large regional cement manufacturer in connection with acquisitions of long-term sand and gravel reserves throughout the region and other acquisitions and leases
- Represented a privately held owner and operator of grain handling facilities located throughout the Midwest, a fertilizer distribution network, feed mills, and retail fertilizer operations, including representation in connection with the sale of a bean crushing facility and grain elevator
- Counsel to a developer in connection with preparation and implementation of master declaration of operation and easements, covenants and restrictions for major development
- Experience across a wide range of industries, including data centers, charter schools, theaters, resort properties, ready-mix, beef production, grain storage, cement manufacturing, conservation easements
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Kate has been a frequent speaker on various real estate subjects, including real estate contracts, impact of environmental laws on real estate transactions, real estate financing, synthetic leases, the Americans With Disabilities Act, Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code and leases.
Publications
Missouri Methods of Practice — chapters on “Zoning” and “Quiet Title Actions”
Hiking Guide to Kansas, University Press of Kansas
Recognitions
Recognitions
Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, Class of 2014
Recognized as a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers
Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, which has described her as a “responsive and strong transactional real estate lawyer who always demonstrates great judgment and motivation”
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® list, 2014, 2015, and 2017 - 2025 for Real Estate
Listed in the 2012, 2019 and 2020 editions of Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers© Magazine for Real Estate
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Kansas Land Trust, Past-President and Board of Directors
American College of Real Estate Lawyers
Real Estate Charitable Foundation, Board Member
The Missouri Bar
Kansas Bar Association
Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Missouri, 1983
- Kansas, 1984
Education
University of Kansas, J.D., 1983
- Order of the Coif
University of Kansas, B.S., with distinction, 1978
University of Kansas, B.A., with distinction, 1976
