Local StoriesApril 20, 2026

Inspiring Conversations with Kelly Spann of FortmanSpann, TM Law & Associates, and True Estate Planning

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Spann.

Kelly Spann

Hi Kelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Honestly, I never set out to be a lawyer—it just kind of happened.

More than twenty years ago, I took a job opportunity in the legal field that I saw as just that: a job. I started as a secretary, then became a legal assistant and paralegal, and over the years I found myself learning constantly simply by being immersed in the work. What began as employment slowly turned into genuine interest, then confidence, and eventually a belief that I could do more in this profession than I ever imagined.

The path was anything but smooth. There were plenty of twists, turns, and setbacks along the way—both professionally and personally—but each one pushed me to grow. I went back to school later in life, earned a business degree, and eventually made the decision to attend law school while working and raising a family. Becoming an attorney wasn’t part of some long-term plan; it was the result of years of persistence, encouragement from others, and learning the law from the ground up.

After becoming licensed, my practice evolved quickly based on real client needs. I became a partner at FortmanSpann with my longtime mentor, Jon Fortman, and ultimately helped shape it into a firm focused on representing franchisees nationwide—people who often feel outmatched and unheard in complex legal systems. From there, I launched TM Law & Associates with another wonderful mentor, Annette Heller, to focus on trademark and copyright work representing business owners (small to large) nationwide and later formed True Estate Planning to serve families in my local community who needed practical, affordable estate planning guidance, as well as probate and Medicaid planning.

While I now operate three law firms, I see my career as one continuous story rather than separate chapters. Starting at the very bottom gave me a deep appreciation for clients, staff, and the realities of running a business. Today, everything I do is grounded in that experience—providing practical advice, clear guidance, and real advocacy for people at pivotal moments in their lives.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all—it has been anything but a smooth road.

There were seasons where simply keeping everything moving forward felt like a full-time job on its own. I worked full time while attending law school full time, raising three kids—and that all happened during COVID. Like so many people, I was trying to function in a world that suddenly felt unstable, while still showing up for my family, my work, and my goals.

During that same period, my mom was diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer’s. Watching someone you love slowly struggle, decline, and ultimately pass away is something that changes you forever. Supporting her through that journey, grieving her loss, and continuing to function professionally was one of the hardest experiences of my life. There were days I felt completely shattered—and days where resilience was the only option.

Professionally, there were challenges as well. I had a partner receive a cancer diagnosis that significantly limited their ability to work and required an earlier-than-expected retirement. That meant stepping into leadership, ownership, and responsibility faster than I had planned. At times, growth came so quickly that I barely had time to catch my breath, resulting in long stretches of 70-plus-hour workweeks.

Building and running businesses also meant learning lessons the hard way—hiring, firing, training, delegating, and figuring out how to lead others while still learning how to lead myself. Balancing those responsibilities while also being a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend required constant recalibration.

Looking back, it wasn’t smooth—but it was formative. Every struggle forced me to grow, to adapt, and to become more intentional about how I work and how I lead. Those experiences shaped not only the attorney I am today, but the person and business owner as well.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
FortmanSpann

FortmanSpann is a law firm focused on franchise law, representing franchisees nationwide at every stage of the franchise lifecycle. Our work spans from evaluating franchise agreements before a client ever signs, to franchise sales and transfers, renewals, closures and exits, and full-scale litigation and dispute representation.

What sets FortmanSpann apart is our ability to support franchisees from beginning to end—not just when something goes wrong. Franchising is often presented as a simplified path to business ownership, but the legal reality is complex and highly system-driven. We’re known for identifying risks early, explaining dense agreements in plain language, and stepping in aggressively when disputes arise.

Our focus is practical, strategic guidance that allows franchisees to make informed decisions at every stage of ownership.

TM Law & Associates

TM Law & Associates is a trademark and copyright law firm serving everyone from individual creators and startups to large organizations and established companies across the country. We handle intellectual property matters at every stage, including registrations, portfolio management, enforcement, licensing, sales and transfers, and litigation when necessary.

What we’re known for is treating intellectual property as a business asset—not just a filing. We work closely with clients to ensure their trademarks and copyrights align with real-world use, growth plans, and risk tolerance. Whether protecting a single brand or managing a large IP portfolio, our approach is strategic, practical, and tailored to each client.

TM Law has become a trusted resource not only for clients, but also for other attorneys and businesses that need reliable IP guidance. Our firm bridges the gap between legal protection and business strategy, making complex IP issues understandable and actionable.

True Estate Planning

True Estate Planning focuses on estate planning, probate administration, and Medicaid planning for individuals and families in Missouri and Illinois. Our services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate matters, and Medicaid planning designed to protect both families and assets.

What sets True Estate apart is our emphasis on clarity, compassion, and accessibility. Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially during times of illness or loss, and our goal is to simplify the process without sacrificing quality or foresight. We help clients plan proactively and navigate complex systems with confidence.

True Estate Planning exists to protect families during life’s most vulnerable moments—helping them plan ahead, avoid unnecessary stress, and preserve dignity and independence as circumstances change. Our tagline is Truly Simple. Truly Affordable. Truly Yours.

What’s next?
Looking ahead, my focus is on slow, steady, and sustainable growth rather than rapid expansion. I’m far more interested in strengthening the foundations we’ve built—developing great teams, refining systems, and creating healthy, long-term practices—than chasing constant scale.

Personally and professionally, I’m always working toward better balance. That doesn’t mean perfection, because I don’t think that actually exists, but it does mean being more intentional about how and where I spend my time. I want to continue building businesses that support a full life, not compete with one.

I’m looking forward to growing as a leader, mentoring other attorneys, and creating opportunities for people who may not have taken a traditional path—much like my own. If the future brings new ideas, I’m open to them, but for now, the goal is thoughtful growth, meaningful work, and balance that’s continually being refined.

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