10 for the Next 10: Ben Shantz

Partner, Spencer Fane

Ben Shantz is a lawyer at Spencer Fane who spends his days helping clients work through complicated problems that rarely come with simple answers. His practice centers on real estate and construction, but over time, it has expanded into something closer to outside general counsel, where he is often helping clients navigate whatever issue shows up next.

"There's really not a typical day for me," he says. Most of it is conversations, strategy and problem-solving, layered with a steady litigation practice that keeps him in court filings, legal documents and constant communication with other attorneys.

As his role has evolved, so has his approach to leadership. "I think of myself as a servant leader and an experiential leader," he says. Rather than directing from a distance, he focuses on collaboration and accessibility. "My door is quite literally and figuratively always open," he says.

That mindset is implemented even outside of the firm. Shantz serves on the Springfield Board of Public Utilities, the Springfield Community Land Trust and the History Museum on the Square, roles he sees as a natural extension of what it means to be a lawyer. "We are principally people designed to serve the community," he says. "We help sustain and repair the fabric of our community."

For Shantz, that service mindset also shapes how he thinks about Springfield's future, especially housing. "The only silver bullet solution is to build more housing," he says, pointing to affordability as a long-term community challenge.

Even as his work spans law and civic life, his focus stays grounded in people, not process, to help make Springfield a place more people want to be. "He chooses Springfield every day," says Krystal Simon, CEO of Care to Learn. "He is caring, strong-willed and gives 100% to whatever is in front of him."

What's your go-to coffee order? A hot Americano.

Favorite way to reset after a long day? Sitting on the porch with my wife and our baby, just hanging out with them before we put her down for the evening.

What's one word you want people to associate with your work? Reassuring.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut.

Favorite local spot? Cherry Picker Package & Fare.

Where is your hometown? Springfield, Missouri

What's your favorite book recommendation? Dune.