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Miller, Seidel, Havens, Attorneys

Leroy Miller was born on December 12, 1917 to Charles Addison and Verdie Anna Miller. In 1931, he moved from Bethany to Trenton as a ninth grade student to attend Central School. He graduated in 1935 from Trenton High School and also graduated from Trenton Junior College, now North Central Missouri College, in 1937. He attended Kansas City School of Law, which merged with Kansas City University. Years later, the university was obtained by the University of Missouri from which he currently holds a juris doctorate degree. The professional degree was conferred upon him in 1940.

In August of 1940, he took the bar exam. Results were not available until November of that year. During the wait for results, Miller served as Secretary of the Republican Central Committee. At that time, the committee was very active having served coffee at churches, schools, and businesses working for their candidates.

Once he received his license to practice law, he opened a private practice. His first legal secretary was Mary Jean Whitley. At that time, he ran for city attorney. His race was successful, and he served in that capacity for 2 years. He later served as county prosecutor for 4 years.

In 1943, Elizabeth Linker became his secretary. He continued to work for both the city and the county. In 1943, he served in the Army. After his term of service, he came back to his prosecuting position.

Max Humphreys was his first legal partner, followed by Allan Seidel. The late Ruth Shipley served as his legal secretary for 43 years. Sixteen years ago, the firm was joined by Debra Havens. Miller, Seidel, and Havens each see a large number of clients each year.

Currently, Miller focuses on estate planning, wills, and trusts and still serves in an advisory capacity for the firm. He is quick to credit his secretaries for his ability to be so successful in the practice of law. In addition to the above mentioned, other legal secretaries include: Donna Diven, who has been with the firm for 35 years, Fran Mitts, Michelle Vandevender, and Teresa Eddy.

In recalling his 65 years of practice, Leroy states “I love the practice of law.” One of Miller’s earliest cases was a personal injury suit that occurred in 1949. The damage awarded in the case was $25,000, which at that time was the largest verdict ever awarded in Grundy County. In another case, Miller had divorce papers served to a husband in St. Joseph. The husband claimed that proper notice was not served and showed his anger by coming to Miller’s office wielding a knife. The attorney took him to the clerk’s office to show him the proper paperwork, at which time the husband took off running on foot. Miller began running after him and a couple of local citizens joined in the pursuit. He was captured near 10th Street, brought in, fined $1, and sent home.

Miller appreciates the many kind acts that his firm has experienced from Trenton and its residents. When he was building the section of building between the Plaza Hotel and the old Knight building, in 1965, the city allowed him to run “Goldie’s Diner” out on the side walk in front of the building. In addition, the day that the Plaza burned, all contents and records of the law firm were in imminent danger. Many local citizens joined forces to remove all contents of the building sparing them from harm.

Miller and his wife Jane, are the parents of 2 children, David and Martha, 3 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

Many clients still come to the firm seeking the services of Leroy Miller. Those needing services outside of his current focus are referred to one of his two partners, Seidel or Havens. The firm offers all types of legal services including: family law, workman’s compensation, Social Security disability, criminal law, estate planning, real estate law, and other types of legal work as needed.

Located in the former G.H. Knight building, at 705 Main, the firm is open from 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday, from 8:30-12:00 on Saturday morning, and other times by appointment. Miller, Seidel and Havens Law Firm is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, November 2nd from 11-1 and invite all clients, friends, and family to join them.