The law firm of Oliver Walker Wilson LLC has met the legal needs of its clients for over thirty years providing full service legal representation to mid-Missouri and nationally. OWW works aggressively for its clients and can provide legal representation in a variety of areas including: family law, civil litigation, professional licensing, business law, administrative law, real estate acquisitions, landlord – tenant and insurance law to name a few. There is no need to go anywhere else for all of your legal needs.
Our attorneys are experienced and well-respected by other legal professionals and our clients. We continue to strive to represent our clients aggressively while maintaining professionalism and integrity in the practice of law.
This firm has earned the highest (AV) rating available from Martindale-Hubbell, acknowledging the highest levels of ethical and ability rankings in the practice of law.
Additionally OWW is listed in Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys.
OWW is ready to assist you with your legal needs. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
For many people adoption is a choice that is made to make one’'s family complete. Whether it is an adoption taking place because of re-marriage of one of the parents or a death of a parent, Missouri law has very explicit requirements for providing notice and other procedures to complete an adoption. Oliver Walker Wilson's attorneys are experienced in adoption proceedings and can assist you during this joyous but sometimes legal challenging time.
The firm of Oliver Walker Wilson, LLC has extensive appellate experience. Bruce Farmer, as former Deputy Chief Counsel for Litigation at the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, argued on behalf of the State of Missouri in the United States Supreme Court. He has argued before all
of Missouri's State and Federal Courts of Appeals and the Missouri Supreme Court. Let Oliver Walker Wilson, LLC handle your appeal with
expert legal analysis, brief writing and experience at oral argument.
Providing for your family after death is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones and something that everyone should consider. Making arrangements for your assets, real estate, and personal property to be transferred without probate administration costs can be done by preparing the proper legal documents ahead of time. Such documents include but are not limited to wills, durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney and living trusts. These legal documents can distribute your property after your death according to your wishes. Additionally, your actions now will help your loved ones.
Oliver Walker Wilson provides services in the area of family law, which includes but is not limited to dissolution, modification of child support or maintenance, child custody matters, paternity and other matters that relate to the family. When a person is undergoing a conflict with someone whom they had a previous relationship with it is extremely emotional and difficult to handle. Oliver Walker Wilson can assist you during this trying and emotional time. Our attorneys have experience with all aspects of family law. With individualized representation for each client, Oliver Walker Wilson recognizes and knows that each case is unique and each situation has its own set of facts that make it important. Contact Oliver Walker Wilson today so that we can help you with your family law needs.
Oliver Walker Wilson is a leading defense firm in the State of Missouri. It is a highly rated insurance defense firm by Best'’s Insurance Guide. The firm is also recognized by Martin Dale Hubbell with its highest AV rating. The members of the firm have over 120 years of combined legal experience. We represent a wide variety of insurance companies for defense of general liability issues, medical and professional malpractice, products liability, insurance coverage and declaratory judgments.
At Oliver Walker Wilson we believe that every client deserves our best efforts at all times. We strive to give our clients an exceptional value by paying attention to both time and expenses. We understand that our time is your money.
Minors may get themselves into a legal situation that puts them into juvenile law system. This is the separate court system that is designed to address juvenile issues. Juvenile court is a complex process that Oliver Walker Wilson can assist you through. An attorney representing the juvenile during the process guarantees that the juvenile has an advocate during the proceedings. Let Oliver Walker Wilson help you navigate the juvenile justice system.
Litigation means practicing in the courtroom. Practicing in the courtroom is a hallmark of Oliver Walker Wilson. We are trial lawyers. Our combined members have tried over 300 jury trials. We have the expertise and experience to investigate, prepare and try your case against some of the most experienced lawyers in the state. We try cases all over the state of Missouri. All members of the firm are members of the Missouri Bar and the majority of members are admitted to the Eastern and Western districts of the Federal Bar in Missouri.
We can assist you with a variety of claims including business, real estate, family law, personal injury, construction, products liability, medical malpractice, to name a few.
Oliver Walker Wilson has extensive experience in both defending and prosecuting malpractice claims.
The death of a loved one is an extremely emotional and difficult time. As you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you may need to administer the deceased'’s assets until the estate can be settled in Probate Court. Depending on the size of the individual’s estate, a full administration or an administration by affidavit may take place. Additionally, assets may be discovered after a long period of time following the death and other issues may arise or title determination may need to occur. Oliver Walker Wilson's lawyers are experienced in probate administration and can assist you with this sometimes very complex and difficult process.
If you hold a professional license granted by the State of Missouri then you have an investment and property interest to protect. If the Board that governs your area of practice contacts you demanding you defend your practice or explain why your license should be renewed without restrictions or discipline, you have a right to representation by an experienced attorney. The investigators for the Board do not represent you or your interest. The Board is represented by its attorneys and you have a right to meet the Board on equal footing by engaging your own attorney. The initial investigative process is confidential but if discipline is imposed it becomes a public record. That may negatively impact your ability to practice. Defend yourself and your livelihood by engaging an attorney of your choice. See the Administrative Law Page for information on the Administrative process.
Sometimes products used by consumers cause injury or economic loss because they were poorly designed or defective. If that happens, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and economic loss. Oliver Walker Wilson has the experience to evaluate your claim and advise you of the legal options available to you. Contact us to get an initial evaluation at no obligation to you for the first visit.
Looking to buy a home, refinance, build an addition or have a dispute with a neighbor, all of these situations involve real estate law. In Missouri, all property is surveyed and recorded in plats that are then recorded in the county recorder of deed’s office. If you wish to make any change to the property that you own or acquire property, legal descriptions must be consistent with the recorded descriptions at the county recorder’s office.
Contract review is also an important aspect of real estate transactions and involves the knowledge of an experienced attorney to help you understand the language of any contract in which you may sign for the purchase and/or transfer of real estate. Oliver Walker Wilson's attorney’s can help you with these detailed transactions that involve review of contracts and also filing with the county recorder of deeds office. Additionally boundary disputes may arise when one neighbor builds something on your land or likewise you accidently build on your neighbor’s land. Proper transfers and/or easements can be prepared by the attorneys of Oliver Walker Wilson to assist with these situations. Contact Oliver Walker Wilson to assist you with your real estate needs.
Missouri law requires that when an employee is injured that they must report said injuries to their employer. The claim for a worker’'s injury is then handled through an administrative process for all workers’ compensation claims. These claims do not proceed through the traditional judicial process and court system that you may be most familiar with. Rather, claims are heard by administrative law judges who provide an initial ruling on the claim of injury and the amount appropriate for compensation for said injury. If the claimant is not satisfied at the administrative law judge level then an appeal process to the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission may occur. Oliver Walker Wilson's attorneys are experienced with workers’ compensation practice and have appeared countless times before administrative law judges and the Labor Commission. Let us help you assess the nature of your claim and if needed assist you through the process.
Mariam Decker joined OWW in 2004. She focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense and litigation work. She also works on defending licensed professionals in hearings before the professional licensing board, administrative hearing commission, and appeals to circuit court.
In 2007 Mariam was selected as a “Super Lawyer”. Mariam is active in the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers and the Defense Research Institute serving as a liaison and Board member.
Mariam graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1990 where she served as an editor for the Journal of Dispute Resolution.
Before joining OWW, Mariam was a partner at Ford Parshall &Baker in Columbia, Missouri representing licensed professionals in malpractice cases. Prior to attending law school Mariam worked as a registered nurse for ten years, including with Missouri Cancer Associates in Columbia, Missouri.
Practice Areas
Administrative Law
Insurance Defense
Medical Malpractice
Professional Licensing
Litigation
Personal Injury
Bar Admissions: 1990, Missouri; U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri; Missouri Court of Appeals Western District.
Education: University of Missouri – Columbia, B.S.N., 1977; University of Missouri School of Law, J.D. , 1990
Honors: Managing Editor of the Missouri Journal of Dispute Resolution;
Member: Boone County Bar Association; The Missouri Bar Association; American Board of Trial Advocates; Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers; Defense Research Institute; Missouri Association of Hospital Attorneys; Women Lawyers of Mid-Missouri; Inn of Court
Bob joined OWW in 2004, after having worked for well-established firms in Kansas City and Columbia. His areas of practice include personal injury, medical malpractice, premises liability and wrongful death. He has tried numerous lawsuits throughout Missouri.
Bob has been selected as a “Super Lawyer” as one of the top attorneys in Missouri & Kansas. Only five percent of the lawyers in Missouri & Kansas are included in the list. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a rigorous, multiphase rating process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The goal of Super Lawyers' selection process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of lawyers to be used as a resource to assist lawyers and sophisticated consumers in the search for legal counsel.
Bob is currently the President-Elect of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. He also serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar Association as the elected representative for the 15th District.
Bob is a graduate of the University of Missouri and the Drake University School of Law.
A native of Sedalia, Missouri, he and his wife Amy have three sons, Connor, Jack and Ryan.
Trial Practice
Bar Admissions: 1996, Missouri and U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri; 1997, Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
Education: University of Missouri – Columbia, B.A., 1993; Drake University School of Law, J.D. , 1996
Member: Boone County and American Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar Association (Board of Governors); Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers (Vice President); Defense Research Institute; Kansas Bar Association.
Bruce joined OWW in 1999. He focuses his practice on workers compensation defense, insurance defense and litigation work. He defends employers in workers compensation claims from the initial claim to hearings before administrative law judges and if needed the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission.
Bruce is also active in defending automobile accidents.
Prior to joining OWW, Bruce served as Deputy Chief Counsel for Litigation in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. There he argued on behalft of the State of Missouri in the United States Supreme Court.
Bruce graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1983.
Bruce lives in Columbia with his wife Debbie and their daughter Samantha. Bruce is an avid golfer.
Premise Liability
Workers Compensation
Bar Admissions: 1983, Missouri and U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western District of Missouri; U.S. Court of appeals, Eighth Circuit; United States Supreme Court
Education: University of Missouri – Kansas City, B.A., 1978; M.B.A., 1979; University of Missouri-Columbia, J.D., 1983.
Honors: Note and Comment Editor, Missouri Law Review
Member: Boone County and The Missouri Bar Association; Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers; Defense Research Institute.
Reported Cases: Missouri v. Jenkins, 491 U.S. 274 (1989)
Julia joined OWW in 2005 after working for the State of Missouri for five years. She focuses her practice on insurance defense, litigation work and probate law. She works on automobile accident defense, slip fall accident defense and a variety of other litigation matters.
She also assists with asset planning, probate administration, small business organizations, collections and other general litigation matters.
Julia is active with the Missouri Bar Association as a former member of the 2007 Leadership Class. She currently serves on the Client Security Fund Committee, which assists individuals who have been unfairly treated by their attorney.
Julia graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia School of Law in 2000.
Julia lives in Columbia with her husband Terrence, and two children, Emma and William.
Admistrative Law
Probate Administration
Estate Planning
Family Law
Real Estate
Bar Admissions: 2000, Missouri and U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri; 2010. Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District; Missouri Supreme Court
Education: University of Missouri-Columbia, B.A., 1995; M.P.A. , 1999; J.D., 2000
Member: Boone County Bar Association (Treasurer, current); The Missouri Bar Association; The Missouri Bar Association Client Security Fund Committee; Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
Betty has been an integral part of OWW handling countless family law matters for over thirty years of practice. She focuses her practice on family law, adoptions, probate law, juvenile law and real estate law.
Betty is recognized by her peers and is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, a nationally recognized organization of legal professionals.
Betty graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law in 1974.
Bar Admissions: 1975 Missouri
Education: Wellesley College, B.S., 1953; University of Michigan, M.S.W., 1957; University of Missouri-Columbia, J.D. , 1974
Member: Boone County and American Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar Association; The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Adoption Law
Juvenile Law
Probate Law
Real Estate Law
Art is a founding member of OWW and has worked in the legal profession for over fifty years. He focuses his practice on insurance defense and litigation work. He works on automobile accident defense, slip fall accident defense and a variety of other litigation matters.
Art has been recognized by his peers and appointed to the American College of Trial Lawyers. He also served as a Probate Judge of Boone County, Missouri from 1963-1966.
Art graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1956.
Bar Admissions: 1956, Missouri
Education: University of Missouri – Columbia, B.S., Ed., 1951; University of Missouri-– Columbia School of Law, J.D. , 1956
Member: Boone County and American Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar Association (Director of Education, 1966-1969); Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers; Defense Research Institute; American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow.
Product Liability
Boone County Bar Association
Boone County Government
City of Columbia
Columbia Daily Tribune
Columbia Missourian
St Louis Post Dispatch
Kansas City Star
Revised Statutes of Missouri
Missouri Bar Association
Missouri Casenet
Missouri Division of Professional Licensing
Location
Our offices are conveniently located in the Flat Branch Center at the corner of Locust and 4th Street in Downtown Columbia (just east of Flat Branch Park). Our main office and reception area is on the 4th Floor, with additional offices on the 3rd floor.
Free parking is available below the Flat Branch Center and on-street metered parking is also available on Locust and 4th Streets.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements
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