Stephen J. Briggs
Primary Practice Areas
Estate and Trust Planning and Administration
Educational Institutions
Real Estate Transactions, Development and Financing
Business Organizations, Governance and Succession Planning
Litigation
Education
Macalester College, B.A., 1972
University of Minnesota, J.D., 1975
Admissions
The Missouri Bar, 1975
U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri U.S. Tax Court
Steve decided he was going to be lawyer while he was still a student at Central High School. He went on to study Political Science at Macalester College in St. Paul, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and completed his law degree at the University of Minnesota.
He came straight back to St. Joseph, and joined the firm right away. Today, Steve takes the lead on most of the firm’s multi-generational estate and succession planning and real estate development work.
“We have deep roots in the St. Joseph community and greater northwest Missouri, as well. As a result, we are privileged to represent multi-generational family farms and businesses. Working with these families to ensure continuity of their operations and preservation of their assets is a benchmark of our practice. That work involves a diverse practice from estate and succession planning to real estate to administration of trusts. We take pride in providing these services to our clients.”
Following the legacy of both William Morton, Sr. and David Morton to engage in community service, Steve has devoted volunteer time to the following organizations or projects: Member and President of the St. Joseph Library Board; member of the Missouri Western State University Foundation Board; member of the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art Board; chair of the successful St. Joseph Library tax levy campaign; co-chair of the citizens’ successful St. Joseph School District levy campaign; co-chair of the 2013 successful levy to pass a tax for public safety; member of the 2022 Committee for a police tax; member of the 2023 citizens committee for the renewal of the Capital Improvements Projects tax (“CIP”); member of the St. Joseph City Charter Commission which wrote the city charter in 1980-81; chair of the 2008-09 Citizens Charter Review Committee. Steve is currently member and Chair of the St. Joseph Land Bank Board; member and former chair of the Board of First Christian Church; member and secretary of the Board for the Northwest Missouri Community Foundation.
