Our Legal Team
Based in Steelville, Missouri, our team serves Crawford County and communities across the state. Meet the attorneys and staff who will fight for you.
Attorneys
Experienced. Committed. Ready to Fight.
Jacob M. Chinnery
Managing Attorney & Founder
Jacob M. Chinnery
Managing Attorney & Founder
Jacob founded Cardinal Law to serve Crawford, Franklin, Phelps, Dent, and Pulaski Counties. Raised in Missouri, he is known for clear communication and relentless preparation, drawing on experience from court clerking and municipal and county court work.
Education
- J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- B.B.A., Maryville University, Summa Cum Laude
Married to Sarah; resides in Crawford County.
Kimberly E. Dutch
Chief Operating Officer | Attorney at Law
Kimberly E. Dutch
Chief Operating Officer | Attorney at Law
Kimberly oversees Cardinal Law’s business operations and organizational performance, working closely with the Managing Attorney on firm strategy, growth, and expansion. An attorney with more than a decade of experience across law, business operations, government, and compliance, she previously served as General Counsel for St. Louis Public Schools, Senior Counsel for Compliance at HopSkipDrive, and Deputy General Counsel for Compliance and Ethics for the School District of Philadelphia. She began her legal career in private practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, handling complex civil litigation involving personal injury, insurance, construction, professional liability, and workers’ compensation. At Cardinal Law she builds the systems, leadership structures, and operational standards that let the firm’s attorneys and staff serve clients well.
Education
- J.D., Rutgers University School of Law–Camden
- B.A., International Business, Rollins College
Bar Admissions
- Missouri
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
Enjoys traveling and adventuring in her motor home with her three dogs.
Jose Morales
Attorney at Law
Jose Morales
Attorney at Law
Jose brings experience in both civil and criminal matters, with expertise in legal research, negotiation, courtroom advocacy, and case management. He handles complex legal challenges with meticulous attention to detail, believing every client deserves clear communication, respect, and representation they can trust.
Education
- J.D., University of South Dakota School of Law
- B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Bar Admissions
- Missouri
Andrew "Drew" Mossman
Senior Staff Attorney
Andrew "Drew" Mossman
Senior Staff Attorney
Drew focuses on personal injury, civil litigation, criminal defense, family law, and other complex civil matters. Before joining Cardinal Law, he represented thousands of individuals harmed by dangerous drugs and medical devices in mass tort litigation, and his background includes criminal appellate work with the Missouri State Public Defender and a judicial clerkship in Illinois. Based in the St. Louis area, he serves clients throughout Franklin, St. Louis, and Jefferson Counties and supports matters through the Steelville office. At the center of his practice is a straightforward philosophy: clients deserve to be heard and involved in the decisions that affect their lives.
Education
- J.D., Southern Illinois University School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Missouri
Member of the American Association for Justice. Enjoys gardening, music, and reading.
Stephen Paulus
Attorney of Counsel
Stephen Paulus
Attorney of Counsel
With over two decades practicing law in Missouri, Stephen provides strategic guidance across civil matters including civil litigation, municipal law, and general practice. His experience in state and federal courts, combined with his reputation for integrity and practical solutions, strengthens every case our firm handles.
Education
- J.D., Tulane Law School
Bar Admissions
- Missouri (1993)
Support Team
The Team Behind the Team
Our support staff are an essential part of every case, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and clients are always informed.
Rohan Balasubramanian
VP of Operations
As Vice President of Operations, he brings extensive legal expertise and a steadfast commitment to client service. In this role, he ensures the firm runs smoothly and that every client receives the timely, high-quality representation they deserve.
Education: Liberty University — B.S. in Economics & Paralegal Studies
Kelly Jackson
Paralegal
Bringing over 20 years of administrative office support to the Cardinal Law team, including more than seven years of technical experience with a deep focus on estate planning and probate.
Tracy Todaro
Paralegal
Tracy brings approximately 30 years of legal experience to the Steelville office, including three decades with a Franklin County firm as legal assistant to its two senior partners. Her work spans real estate, family law, civil litigation, personal injury, and disability matters, and she is a Notary Public. She knows that needing an attorney is stressful, and works to help clients feel supported throughout their case.
Education: East Central College — Certificate of Technical Studies in Legal Assisting
RaChelle E. Otis
Paralegal
Based in the Steelville office, RaChelle has more than 15 years of paralegal experience and over 11 years in office management, concentrating on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and special needs planning. Having hired an attorney for her own family matter, she brings a compassionate perspective and a belief that clients deserve a legal team that follows through on its commitments.
Education: Community College of Aurora — A.A.S. in Accounting
Bethany Roller
Paralegal
Bethany supports the Springfield office with several years of paralegal, legal support, and administrative experience, including work in state and local government. She assists attorneys with case preparation, legal documents, and client communication, keeping matters moving efficiently while clients receive attentive service.
Our Philosophy
Accountability. Advocacy. Justice.
The legal system can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with an injury, a loss, or a dispute that's turned your life upside down. We believe our job is to shoulder that burden — to handle the complexity so you can focus on what matters most: your health, your family, and your future.
We don't take every case that walks through the door. But when we take yours, we commit fully. We prepare every case as if it's going to trial, because that level of preparation is what gets results — whether the case settles or goes to a jury.
Accountability
We hold wrongdoers responsible for the harm they cause.
Advocacy
We fight for our clients with everything we have.
Justice
We pursue fair outcomes that make a real difference.
Compassion
We treat every client like a person, not a case number.
Let's Talk About Your Case
You've met the team. Now let us learn about you. Your consultation is confidential.
No fees unless we win your case • Available evenings and weekends by appointment