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From the Racetrack to the Courtroom: Meet New Kennedy Berkley Attorney Karter Granzella
A Kansas native, newlywed, and lifelong racing enthusiast, Karter Granzella is bringing a fresh perspective to estate planning, business law, and the next generation of attorneys at Kennedy Berkley.
There's something to be said for knowing where you come from, understanding the people you serve, and recognizing that there's always more to learn.
For Kennedy Berkley's newest attorney, Karter Granzella, those values have been shaped by his Kansas upbringing, years spent behind the wheel of a race car, and the mentorship he's found within the walls of Kennedy Berkley.
A Salina native and graduate of Kansas State University and Washburn University School of Law, Karter's journey with Kennedy Berkley began in December 2023, when he reached out to managing partners Jim Angell and Lance Cochran about an opportunity through the Rural Externship Program.
What started with an email and an interview turned into a professional opportunity that carried him from law student to attorney.
Today, Karter is building his practice, celebrating a new chapter of life as a newlywed, and looking forward to what lies ahead.
We're excited to introduce Karter and share more about him and the work he's doing, the clients he hopes to serve, the people who have influenced his career, and what racing has taught him about practicing law.
Building a Practice Around People, Families, and Businesses
As Karter begins his legal career, he's developing experience in several areas of law, with a particular interest in estate planning, probate, business matters, and general litigation.
His current work includes drafting wills, developing estate planning packages, establishing trusts, assisting with probate proceedings and trust administrations, preparing real estate contracts, and helping clients establish businesses. He's also gaining experience in bankruptcy law.
While the variety has given him opportunities to grow, two areas have become especially meaningful to him: helping individuals and families plan for their futures and supporting business owners as they build and protect what they've worked to create.
"These are subjects that nearly everyone will think about or deal with at some point in their lives," Karter says of estate planning and probate.
For him, that means being there for clients at different stages, whether they're creating an estate plan for the first time, navigating the administration of a loved one's estate, or working through a contested estate matter.
Business law is another area he's excited to continue developing.
"Business planning and management has always been a passion of mine. I love to help people either put together and plan future business ventures, or help maintain what they have already built."
His goal, regardless of the legal matter, is to help make the process easier to understand and navigate.
Learning From Experience: The Mentors Behind His Growth
If you ask Karter about his development as an attorney, and he's quick to acknowledge the people who have helped him get there. He's worked especially closely with Kennedy Berkley Managing Partner Jim Angell, whose mentorship has helped him translate what he learned in law school into practical legal work for clients.
"Jim has given me guidance, but also the freedom to learn on my own," Karter explains.
That combination of support and independence has helped him build confidence in his abilities while recognizing the responsibility that comes with advising clients.
But Karter is equally appreciative of the larger Kennedy Berkley team, including attorneys Klint Spiller, Lance Cochran, Tomas Ellis, and Paige Harding. One of the things he's valued most is being treated as a contributing member of the firm from the beginning.
"They speak to me like equals and have confidence in my abilities. This has helped me grow and learn."
For Karter, that culture of collaboration has been instrumental in his development. It's also one of the reasons he's excited about building a long-term career with the firm.
Changing the Way People Think About Attorneys
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about Karter's approach to practicing law is that he didn't grow up around attorneys. In fact, he admits he wasn't always particularly fond of them. Now that he's entered the profession himself, he sees an opportunity to change that perception.
"I want clients to feel comfortable when they are working with me," he says. "My goal is to avoid any sort of alienation and make clients feel like we are on the same level."
He believes an attorney's role isn't simply to understand the law. It's also to listen, explain complicated situations in a way that makes sense, and help people feel confident about the decisions they're making. That means being approachable while also being willing to take the lead when a situation requires it.
"I want to show people like the old me that lawyers are good people. I want to bridge that gap."
It's a perspective that fits naturally with Kennedy Berkley's commitment to providing practical, relationship-driven legal services to individuals, families, and businesses throughout Kansas.
Estate Planning for Newlyweds: Why It's Never Too Early to Start
For Karter, estate planning isn't just a professional interest. It's a conversation that feels especially relevant in his own stage of life.
Karter and his wife, Reese, recently celebrated their wedding, and like many couples in their 20s and 30s, they're looking ahead to the future they're building together. It's a stage of life that often brings new responsibilities, shared assets, financial goals, and conversations about starting a family.
And according to Karter, it's also an ideal time to start thinking about estate planning.
"You can never be too early setting up an estate plan, BUT you can certainly be too late."
While estate planning is often associated with retirement or later stages of life, Karter encourages young adults and newly married couples to recognize that planning ahead isn't simply about what happens after someone passes away.
It's also about protecting the people they love and making preparations for circumstances they hope never arise.
For young couples, an estate planning conversation might include questions such as:
Do we need wills now that we're married?
Who could make financial or healthcare decisions if one of us became incapacitated?
How should we plan for the people who depend on us, including future children?
Are our assets and beneficiary designations aligned with our wishes?
The answers depend on each family's circumstances, but Karter believes beginning that conversation is an important first step.
"Beginning a family is such an exciting time and I am going through the same process right now."
For him, estate planning is ultimately about creating peace of mind and helping families prepare for whatever life may bring.
From the Racetrack to the Law Office: A Lesson in Never Standing Still
Long before Karter began studying case law, he was learning another set of lessons on the racetrack. Racing has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. His father raced for 25 years before eventually handing over the driver's seat of his IMCA Stock Car to Karter when he turned 16. And he's been racing ever since. Although his schedule now allows for approximately five to ten races a year, his enthusiasm for the sport hasn't slowed down.
This past summer, Karter had the opportunity to race a sprint car, an experience he jokingly admits wasn't necessarily his wife's favorite idea. More recently, he and his family purchased another IMCA Stock Car, with plans to return to stock car racing next season. Beyond the competition, racing has always been something that connects him with his father.
"Racing has always been a way for my dad and I to bond and I certainly hope I can get my kids into it in the future."
And while the racetrack and law office might seem worlds apart, Karter sees a surprising amount of overlap.
"Racing and practicing law are both very humbling and rewarding at the same time."
As a young attorney, he's discovering that even when he feels comfortable with a particular legal concept, a client's unique circumstances can present an entirely new challenge. Racing is much the same. One night, everything can come together. The next, a change in track conditions, equipment performance, or strategy can require an entirely different approach. In both environments, preparation matters. Adaptability matters. And perhaps most importantly, the willingness to keep learning matters.
"For both, you can never stop adapting or learning."
It's a philosophy he hopes to carry with him throughout his legal career.
Beyond the Office: K-State Football, Hunting & Life in Kansas
When he's not working with clients or preparing for race season, Karter's calendar is still plenty full. He and Reese are settling into married life, which currently includes sharing a small duplex with a very energetic, ten-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer.
With no fenced yard and bird season approaching, Karter admits that keeping the dog under control has become something of a project in itself. He's also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys bird hunting, deer hunting, scouting, and preparing for the upcoming seasons.
And, of course, there are sports.
A proud Kansas State University graduate, Karter and his friends have season tickets to K-State football and have attended every home game so far this season. When the Wildcats aren't playing, there's a good chance he's watching the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sundays.
Between spending time with their families, preparing for hunting season, planning next year's racing schedule, and enjoying life as newlyweds, Karter and Reese aren't exactly short on things to do.
But for Karter, it's all part of the life he's excited to continue building here in Kansas.
A New Chapter at Kennedy Berkley
As Karter settles into his role as an attorney, he's looking forward to continuing to learn from his colleagues, developing his practice, and becoming a trusted resource for the people and businesses he serves.
Whether he's helping a young couple begin the estate planning process, working with a family navigating probate, or assisting a business owner with their next venture, his approach is grounded in a simple goal: make legal services approachable, valuable, and focused on the people who need them.
And if his experience on the racetrack has taught him anything, it's that there's always another challenge ahead and another opportunity to improve.
We're proud to have Karter Granzella as part of the Kennedy Berkley team and excited to see the impact he'll make serving clients throughout Kansas.
Connect With Karter Granzella
Are you looking for guidance with estate planning, probate, trust administration, or business-related legal matters?
Karter Granzella is accepting opportunities to assist individuals, families, and business owners as part of the Kennedy Berkley team.
Kennedy Berkley serves individuals, families, and businesses throughout Kansas, with offices in Salina, Hays, Garden City, and Dodge City.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Estate planning and other legal decisions should be evaluated based on each individual's circumstances.
