Layton & Southard is a law firm with decades of experience in a variety of legal fields such as estate planning, real estate, business law, family law, criminal defense, and personal injury litigation. We have the experience to represent our clients in a broad range of cases, providing the continuity and comprehensive legal services that families and businesses need.

TRUSTED LEGAL EXPERIENCE: For over 50 years, our attorneys have been serving Cape Girardeau families through life's most important legal matters. From protecting your rights after an accident to planning your family's future, we're here for you. Contact our experienced Cape Girardeau attorneys today to learn how we can help.

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Table of Contents:

Our History and Foundation

Layton and southard

Layton & Southard was formed in late 2006 when Stephen Southard joined John Layton. This partnership brought together two experienced attorneys with complementary skills and a shared commitment to providing exceptional legal services to Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri.

John Layton's Legal Career

John Layton began his original practice in Kansas City, Missouri, in early 1972, moving to Cape Girardeau in 1979. In his practice in Cape Girardeau, Mr. Layton was associated with William S. Rader until the governor at the time appointed Rader to fill the vacant Division III Associate Circuit Judge position. Mr. Layton then worked with Raymond H. Vogel. Benjamin F. Lewis later joined Vogel, Layton, and Lewis. Vogel retired in 2000 after 50+ years in practice, and Lewis was elected Circuit Judge in 2004.

Stephen Southard's Background

Mr. Southard began his practice in Cape Girardeau in 1992 with the Spradling & Spradling firm, where he remained until joining Layton in 2006. His extensive experience in complex litigation and estate planning perfectly complemented Mr. Layton's broad practice areas.

Firm Growth and Expansion

Daniel J. Grimm joined Layton & Southard in 2009, bringing additional expertise to the firm. Susan Layton Tomlin joined the firm in 2010. Megan Holloway Andrews joined in 2014, expanding our capabilities to better serve our growing client base.

Meet Our Experienced Legal Team

Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience across multiple practice areas, ensuring that we can handle virtually any legal matter that arises for our clients and their families.

Founding Partners

John A. Layton - Founding Attorney

  • Experience: Practicing law since 1972 (50+ years)
  • Specializations: Personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning
  • Local Involvement: Deep roots in Cape Girardeau legal community

Stephen R. Southard - Partner

  • Experience: Practicing law since 1992 (30+ years)
  • Joined Firm: 2006
  • Specializations: Complex litigation, estate planning, business law
  • Background: Previously with Spradling & Spradling (1992-2006)

Our Multidisciplinary Approach

Unlike many law firms that focus on a single practice area, Layton & Southard takes a comprehensive approach to legal services. This multidisciplinary model provides significant advantages for our clients:

Comprehensive Legal Services Under One Roof

Our practice areas include:

Coordinated Legal Strategy

Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to coordinate legal strategies across different areas of law. For example:

  • Personal Injury + Estate Planning: Ensuring settlement proceeds are properly protected and planned
  • Business Law + Estate Planning: Coordinating business succession with family estate plans
  • Family Law + Criminal Defense: Addressing related domestic issues and criminal charges
  • Real Estate + Business Law: Handling commercial property transactions and business needs

What Makes Layton & Southard Different

Local Expertise and Relationships

With over 50 years of combined experience in Cape Girardeau, our attorneys have developed strong relationships with local courts, judges, and the legal community. This local knowledge provides significant advantages for our clients.

Personal Attention and Accessibility

As a local firm, we provide personalized service that large regional or national firms cannot match. Our clients work directly with experienced attorneys, not paralegals or case managers.

Long-Term Client Relationships

Many of our clients have worked with us for decades, trusting us with multiple legal matters as their needs evolve. We've handled everything from initial home purchases to complex estate planning to personal injury claims for multiple generations of Cape Girardeau families.

Proven Track Record

Our attorneys have:

  • Recovered millions in personal injury settlements and verdicts
  • Successfully defended hundreds of criminal cases
  • Created comprehensive estate plans for thousands of families
  • Facilitated smooth business transactions and formations
  • Resolved complex family law matters with sensitivity and skill

Community Investment

We're not just attorneys in Cape Girardeau—we're members of the community. Our attorneys live here, are involved in local organizations, and are invested in the success and growth of Southeast Missouri.

Community Involvement and Values

Our Commitment to Cape Girardeau

Layton & Southard is deeply committed to the Cape Girardeau community. Our attorneys and staff live in the area and are actively involved in local organizations, charities, and civic activities.

Professional Associations and Recognition

Our attorneys maintain memberships in:

  • Missouri Bar Association
  • Cape Girardeau County Bar Association
  • Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
  • Estate Planning Council
  • Local business and civic organizations

Our Values

  • Integrity: We provide honest, straightforward legal advice
  • Excellence: We strive for the best possible outcomes for our clients
  • Service: We put our clients' interests first
  • Community: We're invested in the success of Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri
  • Experience: We leverage decades of legal knowledge for every client

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Firm

Who are the attorneys at Layton & Southard?

Layton & Southard has six experienced attorneys: founding partners John Layton (practicing since 1972) and Stephen Southard (joined 2006), plus associates Daniel Grimm (2009), Susan Layton Tomlin (2010) and Megan Holloway Andrews (2014).

How long has Layton & Southard been in business?

Layton & Southard was formed in 2006 when Stephen Southard joined John Layton. However, John Layton has been practicing law since 1972, giving the firm over 50 years of combined legal experience serving Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri.

What makes Layton & Southard different from other law firms?

Layton & Southard is a multidisciplinary law firm that handles all areas of law under one roof, unlike smaller firms that specialize in only one or two areas. This provides clients with comprehensive legal services, continuity of representation, and long-term relationships.

Where is Layton & Southard located?

Layton & Southard has two offices: the main office in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and a second office in Perryville, Missouri. We serve clients throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

What is the history of Layton & Southard?

John Layton began practicing in Kansas City in 1972, moved to Cape Girardeau in 1979, and worked with several prominent local attorneys. Stephen Southard practiced with Spradling & Spradling from 1992-2006 before joining Layton to form Layton & Southard in 2006.

Do you handle cases outside of Cape Girardeau?

Yes, we serve clients throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Our geographic service area includes multiple counties and we regularly appear in courts throughout the region.

What types of payment arrangements do you offer?

We offer various payment arrangements depending on the type of case. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis (no fees unless we win). For other matters, we offer reasonable hourly rates and flexible payment plans when appropriate.

How do I know which attorney will handle my case?

During your initial consultation, we'll match you with the attorney best suited to handle your specific type of case. However, our collaborative approach means that you benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of our entire legal team.

Our Offices and Service Areas

Cape Girardeau Office

Our main office is conveniently located in Cape Girardeau, serving as the hub for our legal operations. This office houses our complete legal team and provides full services across all practice areas.

Perryville Office

Our second office in Perryville allows us to better serve clients in Perry County and surrounding areas, providing convenient access to our legal services throughout the region.

Get the Help You Need to Protect Your Legal Rights

From our Cape Girardeau and Perryville offices, we serve clients throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Whether you're facing a personal injury claim, criminal charges, need estate planning, or require assistance with any other legal matter, our experienced team is here to help.

Why Choose Layton & Southard for Your Legal Needs

  • Over 50 years combined experience serving Cape Girardeau families
  • Comprehensive legal services across multiple practice areas
  • Personal attention from experienced attorneys
  • Local knowledge of Southeast Missouri courts and procedures
  • Proven track record of successful outcomes
  • Flexible fee arrangements including contingency fees for personal injury

Schedule Your Consultation Today

We offer free consultations for personal injury and criminal defense matters. For other legal issues, we provide affordable initial consultations to discuss your case and legal options.

Multiple Ways to Reach Us

Evening and weekend appointments available when needed.

Contact Us Today for Assistance