Attorney

Kelly M. Spann

Kelly Spann is a wife, proud mom of three, and experienced lawyer with over twenty years of legal experience.  In 2004, she began working for an attorney, Jon Fortman, as his legal assistant and paralegal.  After gaining years of experience and encouragement from numerous other legal professionals, Kelly graduated from Western Governors University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in business management then went on to obtain her Juris Doctorate from SLU School of Law in 2021 with a concentration in intellectual property law.  She passed the Uniform Bar Exam in September 2021, officially became Jon’s partner, and FortmanSpann, LLC was born.  Since becoming partner, Kelly niched FortmanSpann down the practice to primarily focus on franchise law, in particular representing franchisees all across the country.  In addition to her litigation practice at FortmanSpann, Kelly was regularly advising other attorneys on their client’s intellectual property matters which resulted in her forming a second law firm, TM Law & Associates, LLC with partner, Annette Heller, in September of 2022.  Kelly primarily represents individuals, small to medium size companies, and other law firms who do not have trademark or copyright expertise within the firm.  While located in St. Louis, Missouri area, she has clients all over the United States!  Regardless of the size or location of the client, she delivers personalized service to all. Kelly loves the practice of law!

In addition to being licensed in the State of Missouri, Kelly is also licensed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Texas, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  She has also been admitted pro hac vice into several courts in multiple states throughout the country!

Kelly actively participates in her local chambers of commerce and various legal organizations.  She is an active member of BAMSL including the Patent, Trademark, & Copyright, Solo & Small Firms, Trial Attorney, and Women in Legal Profession sections.  She is currently serving as the secretary of the Patent, Trademark & Copyright Section and vice chair of the Women in Legal Profession section.  She is also a member of the Women’s Lawyers Association of Greater St. Louis and an active member of her local community organizations and kids’ school.

Finally, Kelly has been awarded 2023 Up & Coming Law Firm Leader by Missouri Lawyer’s Media and received Best of North County – Law Firm in 2021, 2022, and 2023!

Bar Admissions

  • State of Missouri Bar – 2021
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri – 2021
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri – 2021
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas – 2021
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit – 2022

Education

  • Western Governors University – 2016
  • Saint Louis University School of Law – Juris Doctorate – 2021

Presentations/Publications/Speaking Opportunities

  • Presented at the 30th Annual Leadership Summit of the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) in Tempe, Arizona on private equity investments in franchising (September 2022)
  • Presented at the Missouri Bar Solo & Small Firm Conference on trademarks and copyrights (June 2023)
  • Presented multiple times at various CLEs offered through the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) on various trademark and copyright topics (2022 through current)
  • Article in the St. Louis Bar Journal – Winter 2024 – The Internet Has Expanded The Need for and Power of Trademarks, As Well As Claims and Lawsuits.

Verdict & Settlements

  • Since obtaining her license, Ms. Spann has successfully resolved several cases from smaller claims to large group actions, including negotiation a 7-figure settlement just a few months after being licensed on behalf of a group of more than 2 dozen franchisees.

Bar & Professional Activities

  • Member of various BAMSL sections including the Patent, Trademark, & Copyright section, Solo & Small Firms section, Trial Attorney section, and Women in Legal Profession section. She is currently serving as the secretary of the Solo & Small Firms section and the Women in Legal Profession section.
  • Member of the Women’s Lawyers Association of Greater St. Louis.
  • Member of her local community organizations an kids’ schools.

Honors & Awards

  • 2023 Up & Coming Law Firm Leader – Missouri Lawyer’s Media
  • Best of North County – Law Firm – 2021
  • Best of North County – Law Firm – 2022
  • Best of North County – Law Firm – 2023