Katherine L. Fechte

UB Greensfelder is pleased to announce that Katie Fechte, Caitlin Meyers, Kurt Mueller, Koplan Nwabuoku, Ben Tiller, Brett Travers, and Paul Woody have been promoted to Partner, effective February 1, 2024. Fechte, Meyers, Tiller, Travers, and Woody are based out of the firm’s St. Louis office, and Nwabuoku and Mueller are based out of the firm’s Chicago-East office.

“We are thrilled to promote these seven attorneys to Partner,” said Co-Managing Partner Kevin McLaughlin. “Not only are they outstanding attorneys, but they are also committed to prioritizing client service and embodying the firm’s values.”

Katie Fechte, a member of the firm’s Employment & Labor Practice Group, advocates for companies in employment and labor law disputes, including defending employers against charges of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. She has significant experience advising large St. Louis-based employers in highly regulated industries such as health care and education. Fechte’s impact extends beyond the courtroom, as well. Not only does she help nurture firm culture through mentoring, recruiting, and supporting new parents, but she also actively works to address community needs through initiatives like “Moms In Need.” In recognition of her talent, Missouri Lawyers Media recognized Fechte as an honoree for its 2023 Up & Coming Awards, and she has been named to Best Lawyers^®: Ones to Watch in America each year since 2021.

Caitlin Meyers, a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, represents clients in litigation across state and federal courts, as well as before regulatory authorities. Meyers has diverse litigation experience, from defending health care providers in medical malpractice claims to handling litigation involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, and general business disputes, and advocating on behalf of clients before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. She has been included among Best Lawyers^®: Ones to Watch in America since 2021, a testament to her outstanding legal counsel and commitment to client service.

Kurt Mueller, a member of the Business Law Practice Group, guides clients through mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity investments, private securities offerings, fund formations, and sophisticated joint venture transactions. Additionally, he is well-versed in corporate governance, credit facilities, employment agreements, leases, intellectual property agreements, and various other documents pertaining to business transactions. Mueller’s clients include real estate and private equity funds, institutional investors, and businesses of all scales from startups to midmarket businesses.

Koplan Nwabuoku, a member of the Litigation Practice Group, represents clients in a wide range of disputes, including complex commercial litigation, probate litigation, officer and director dissociative litigation, restrictive covenant conflicts, and post-judgment collections. He manages cases from inception to resolution in federal and state courts. Nwabuoku has advocated for clients in high-stakes trials and hearings, and has won several appeals. Among his notable achievements are securing a substantial award in a federal breach of contract trial and obtaining non-liability verdicts in multiple commercial breach of contract trials. Although Nwabuoku is skilled and proficient in the courtroom, he counts among his highest skills guiding clients to beneficial managed resolutions.

Ben Tiller, a member of the Litigation Practice Group, defends corporate clients against mass toxic tort, product liability, and premises liability claims. His primary focus lies in premise matters and the automotive friction industry. With extensive experience in all facets of litigation, Tiller has conducted numerous depositions of claimants, fact and site witnesses, family members, and experts across more than three dozen states. He actively engages in high-stakes litigation, regularly deposing claimants and witnesses, attending court hearings, conducting case-specific research, and preparing and filing dispositive motions and motions in limine. Recognized for his outstanding talent and commitment to providing exceptional legal counsel, Tiller has earned a spot on Best Lawyers^®: Ones to Watch in America list each year since 2021.

Brett Travers, a member of the firm’s Business Law and Real Estate Practice Groups, advises clients on a diverse range of real estate and corporate issues. His practice encompasses the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of commercial real estate, real estate development, corporate mergers and acquisitions, corporate and real estate finance, and day-to-day corporate counseling. While experienced in representing clients across various industries, Travers keenly understands the challenges specific to the senior living industry. Previously, he held an executive leadership role as general counsel for a senior living developer, builder, owner, and operator, overseeing substantial growth from eight locations in three states to 52 locations across eight states.

Paul Woody, a member of the Business Law Practice Group and Franchising & Distribution Industry Group, advises growing businesses on a wide range of compliance and business matters with a focus on franchisors. He collaborates with franchisors in various industries to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and proactively prevent disputes. Well-versed in all aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship and the agreements governing those relationships, Woody has managed franchise litigation and directed efforts to avoid and prevent legal disputes. He holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive and serves as an adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Law, where he imparts knowledge on franchise law.