John M. Challis

John Challis is the Managing Partner at Kembell Woods & Martinsen, where he advocates for individuals and businesses in a wide range of contested matters. With a focus on fiduciary litigation and administration, John is recognized for delivering outstanding results for his clients through negotiation, mediation, and litigation.

​He counsels clients on fiduciary relationships, disputed administration, will and trust contests, and asset transfer disputes, drawing on substantial trial and appellate experience in Missouri courts. Understanding that the best resolution is not always found at trial, John is highly trained in alternative dispute resolution. He completed the University of Missouri’s Mediation Training, meets all requirements under Rule 17 to serve as a mediator or arbitrator, and frequently mediates trust and estate disputes.

​John is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the Litigation Counsel of America, and The American Bar Foundation. He currently serves as Chair of the Probate and Trust Division of The Missouri Bar and is distinguished as a “Band One” attorney for Private Wealth Disputes by Chambers. His accolades also include “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for Trust & Estates Litigation and a “Top 100 Lawyer” recognition in Missouri and Kansas by SuperLawyers.

An active thought leader, John regularly writes and speaks on fiduciary topics, including keynote presentations at national conferences on fiduciary litigation, estate and trust administration, and ethics topics.