22 Dec 2025
KTK Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
KTK attorneys Stephen J. Torline, Michael T. Crabb, Michael J. Kuckelman and Ben T. Friesen have each been recognized as Super Lawyers for their high level of achievement throughout 2025. Daniel P. Meany was also chosen a 2025 Missouri & Kansas Rising Star. This selection is based off of an evaluation of 12 indicators including peer recognition and professional achievement in legal practice. This is Ben’s first year to be named to the Super Lawyers list after eight years as a Rising Star.
First published in 1991, Super Lawyers is a nationwide publication which distinguishes attorneys in each state who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection of each “Super Lawyer” is the product of a patented four-step process:
The final result of this process is a list of exceptional attorneys, totaling no more than 5% of lawyers in the region. Using an almost identical selection process, the “Rising Star” selection requires two exceptions: first, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less; and second, while up to 5% of the lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5% are named to Rising Stars.
This year marks Stephen Torline’s sixteenth consecutive recognition (2010-2025); Michael Crabb’s thirteenth consecutive recognition (2013-2025); Michael Kuckelman’s fifth consecutive recognition (2021-2025); Benjamin Friesen’s ninth consecutive recognition (2017-2025); and Daniel Meany’s second consecutive recognition (2024-2025). Congratulations to Steve, Mike, Michael, Ben and Daniel on achieving this honor!