Polsinelli Prepares for New-Vice and Chair-Elect

Summary: The Polsinelli Board of Directors has nominated Chase Simmons to take over as Vice-Chair and Chair-Elect.

Kansas City-based Polsinelli has undergone a big change recently with the nomination of a new Vice-Chair and Chair-Elect. The Board of Directors nominated Chase Simmons to take over a leadership within the firm. His election to the position should be confirmed on June 8, making him just the third chairman in the history of the firm. A formal announcement will be made at that time. He will take the place of Russ Welsh who is stepping down from the position of chairman.

From that point, a transition period of 18-months will begin at that point and conclude on January 1, 2019, when Simmons would officially take over the role. The period will allow Simmons to work with his clients and manage his practice group while learning about his new responsibilities from Welsh before fully taking them on. Welsh has been in the role for roughly twenty years. Welsh said, “Chase is an extremely talented and knowledgeable attorney. He is a superior leader and demonstrates excellent character. I have the utmost confidence that he will lead Polsinelli to many successes in the future.”

Over the past twenty years with Welsh at the reigns, the firm has grown from 90 lawyers to around 800 lawyers in 20 offices worldwide. The Kansas City location has around 245 attorneys making it the second-largest firm in the region. Welsh explained, “We have a very strong leadership team, and I attribute our success to their client-centric focus. Our strategic growth has been possible due to the level of talent that continues to join us, our ongoing incorporation of best practices from across the industry, and our ability to maintain a uniquely collaborative culture at Polsinelli. I have been truly humbled by the opportunity to have led the firm for nearly 20 years.”

Simmons is currently a shareholder and Chairman of the real estate practice group and interdisciplinary real estate equity group out of the Kansas City office. Even though he has been located in Kansas City, he counsels real estate developers, investors, and tenants across the country in all areas of real estate transactions. He has extensive experience with joint ventures and complex finance. He also has a great deal of experience with finance, attracting the trust and support from top companies like TEVA Neuroscience, FIKE Corp, Google Fiber, Populous, Lockton Inc, WireCo, and more.

Simmons said in a statement, “I consider it a true privilege to serve as Polsinelli’s chair-elect. Russ has demonstrated tremendous leadership and has served as a mentor to me as he has led our firm through growth and success. My goal is to continue the great momentum he has shepherded throughout the past two decades.”

Simmons has been ranked by Chambers USA as a Band 1 real estate attorney in the region. He has also been recognized by clients in industry media as a “dynamic lawyer” and great “negotiator.” He earned his J.D. from the University of Georgia and his B.A. from Southern Methodist University. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas.

To learn more about Polsinelli, read these articles: