Legacy

On January 1, 1977, Jim Cooling and three partners came together from two established Kansas City law firms, to form a new law firm. The firm’s practice involved general small business corporate matters, insurance defense litigation, and an aviation law practice which grew rapidly following several high profile cases.

The law firm moved to its current location on the 24th floor of City Center Square in downtown Kansas City, overlooking the airport, in 1979. Paul Herbers also joined the firm in 1979, having practiced in both corporate law and business litigation, and became a member of the firm in 1981.

In the early 1980s, the name of the firm became Cooling and Herbers, P.C. The firm’s aviation practice continued to grow rapidly, along with small business corporate matters and civil litigation.

Joe Whisler joined the firm in 1986, and brought into the firm his practice which included a new area, environmental litigation. Joe was active in the Missouri Bar, and eventually rose to become President of the Missouri Bar.

Jim Ramsey joined the firm in 1995, having departed his law firm in Anchorage, Alaska, where he had practiced aviation and product liability law for many years. The experience he had gained in the “Exxon Valdez” case proved invaluable to the firm and its clients.

Heidi Albers joined the firm in 1999 to provide highly competent support to the firm’s rapidly growing practice in aviation transactions. Lisa Holt joined the firm in 2003. Lisa was a CPA in public accounting with Grant Thornton prior and used those skills to develop an expertise in Aviation Tax and now leads our firm’s Corporate Aviation Tax practice including 1031 Exchanges. All our other attorneys have joined the firm during the last 10 years, as the firm’s practice has continued to grow, to support our clients’ needs in all our practice areas.

Cooling and Herbers, P.C. has recently renewed its long-term lease at City Center Square, to remain in the offices it has occupied since 1979, as evidence of long-term growth, strength and stability now and in the future.