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Kennedy Berkley Celebrates Grand Reopening of Hays Office
Every office has a story.
For Kennedy Berkley, the Hays office represents 15 years of building relationships, serving western Kansas, and growing alongside the community. Recently, that story reached another milestone as the firm celebrated the grand reopening of its renovated office with a ribbon cutting and open house hosted in partnership with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.
Clients, community members, Chamber representatives, and local business leaders gathered to celebrate more than an updated space. The event recognized the people who have helped shape the Hays office and the firm's continued commitment to serving western Kansas.
While the location has remained the same, the team has continued to grow. As that growth created the need for additional space, the firm chose to invest in an office that better supports both its employees and the clients they serve.
What began with attorney Blake Bittel has expanded into a growing team that now includes attorney Matt Odom and legal assistant Adrienne. Together, they provide legal counsel to individuals, families, farmers, ranchers, and businesses throughout western Kansas.
During the celebration, members of the firm reflected on Kennedy Berkley's history, the relationships that have shaped its success, and the opportunities ahead.
Managing Partner Jim Angell shared how the firm has grown from his beginnings in Downs, Kansas to starting at the firm in Salina into a practice and serving clients across Kansas while remaining committed to the values that have guided it from the start. Blake Bittel spoke about the trust the Hays community has placed in the firm over the years and the importance of providing experienced legal counsel close to home.
Matt Odom, who joined Kennedy Berkley in January, has strengthened the firm's ability to meet the growing demand for family law services throughout western Kansas. His addition allows more individuals and families to access experienced legal representation without leaving the communities where they live and work.
Kennedy Berkley’s continued investment in Hays also comes at a time when access to legal services in rural Kansas is becoming increasingly important. In a recent Salina Post article examining the shortage of rural attorneys across the state, Managing Partner Jim Angell spoke about the growing need for experienced attorneys in rural communities and the opportunities that exist for the next generation of lawyers to build meaningful careers there.
As Jim shared in the article, rural attorneys often become more than legal advisors. They become part of the communities they serve, helping individuals, families, farms, and businesses navigate increasingly complex legal needs.
That conversation makes milestones like the Hays office expansion especially meaningful. Growing Kennedy Berkley’s team and investing in its western Kansas offices is one way the firm continues working to ensure clients throughout rural Kansas have access to experienced legal counsel close to home.
"As Kennedy Berkley has grown, we've never measured success by the number of offices we have. We measure it by the communities we're able to serve and the relationships we build within them. What started years ago in just Salina has grown far beyond what I could have imagined, but our purpose has never changed. We are here to provide exceptional legal counsel while investing in the communities that place their trust in us. Hays has become an important part of that story, and we're excited about what the future holds for this office, our team, and the clients we serve throughout western Kansas." - Jim Angell, Managing Partner
The firm is also grateful for its longstanding partnership with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce. Organizations like the Chamber play an important role in supporting local businesses, creating connections, and helping communities thrive. Having the opportunity to celebrate this milestone alongside the Chamber made the day even more meaningful.
As guests toured the renovated office and visited with the team, the celebration reflected something much bigger than a remodeled office. It was a celebration of the relationships built over the years, the talented team that continues to grow, and Kennedy Berkley's commitment to serving western Kansas for years to come.
Thank you to the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, everyone who joined us for the celebration, and the clients and communities who continue to place their trust in Kennedy Berkley. We are excited for what comes next.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney client relationship. If you have questions about your specific legal matter, we encourage you to contact an attorney to discuss your situation.
