Insight

J. Thaddeus Eckenrode, St. Louis "Lawyer of the Year" for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 2018

J. Thaddeus Eckenrode of Eckenrode-Maupin was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.

J. Thaddeus Eckenrode LOTY
NO

Nicole Ortiz

October 20, 2017 10:24 AM

A Q&A with J. Thaddeus Eckenrode with Eckenrode-Maupin, 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" recipient for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.

How did you get into your practice area?

After leaving the Franklin County prosecuting attorney’s office after my first three years in practice, I joined a small insurance defense practice in Clayton that focused on medical malpractice defense and have continued predominantly in that area (along with product and some general liability) of practice now for the last over 30 years.

Who are your typical clients?

Insurance carriers, self-insured health care entities, individual physicians, and other professionals make up the bulk of our clientele. We do represent a number of small businesses and individuals in other matters as well.

Describe one of your most interesting or memorable cases.

As a young lawyer, I assisted my first boss on the Callahan v. Cardinal Glennon case, which became one of the seminal cases on causation. The sheer scope of the case, the number of experts and depositions taken in discovery, and the overall magnitude of the case was substantial, but the trial experience itself, from which numerous appellate issues arose, was unforgettable.

What qualities do you possess that you find particularly relevant/necessary for practicing your area of law?

Treating people professionally and with respect is important in this community in particular. Although we are in an adversarial setting in general, I think the ability to get along with my opponents and all counsel is important, since animosity amongst attorneys actually costs everyone’s clients in the long run. We may fight aggressively for our clients in trial, but you don’t have to act like a jerk in how you treat people as a case progresses.

What lessons have you learned along the way?

You’re never too old to learn something new, and you can never really predict what a jury will do or what they will find important. I have been fascinated over the years at hearing from jurors after trials about the questions they had and the things they thought were important. It gives me a renewed appreciation for how important it is that we thoroughly present our case to make sure we answer all the questions we think a person might have about the matter.

Please provide anything else you would like to share regarding your practice.

Most litigants come into a case with tunnel vision and only see their side of any issue. We try to make sure that our clients are prepared to understand the other side’s perspective, as well as the cost (both financially and emotionally) of litigation so that they can make a more intelligent decision about a long-term commitment to fighting a battle in court that may take years and could result in an adverse outcome. If they are fully informed and choose to continue that battle, we are willing to take any case through to a jury verdict and/or appeal.

Related Articles

Lesleigh Wiggs Monahan, 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Family Law


by Polidori Franklin Monahan & Beattie

Lesleigh Wiggs Monahan of Polidori Franklin Monahan & Beattie was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" in Lakewood for Family Law.

 Lesleigh Wiggs Monahan | Experienced Family Law Attorney wi

Ellen G. Makofsky, 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Elder Law


by Nicole Ortiz

Ellen G. Makofsky of Makofsky and Associates was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" in Long Island for Elder Law.

Ellen G. Makofsky LOTY

Anthony J. Enea, 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Elder Law


by Nicole Ortiz

Anthony J. Enea of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" in White Plains for Elder Law.

Anthony J. Enea LOTY

Dilip Patel, 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Immigration Law


by Nicole Ortiz

Dilip Patel of Dilip Patel Law Firm was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" in Tampa for Immigration Law.

Dilip Patel LOTY

Alcides I. Avila Named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year"


by Nicole Ortiz

Recognized in South Florida for Excellence in Banking and Finance Law

Alcides I. Avila LOTY

Robin Meadow, Southern California 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Appellate Practice


by Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland

Robin Meadow of Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Appellate Practice.

Robin Meadow LOTY

Ragesh K. Tangri, San Francisco "Lawyer of the Year" for Trade Secrets Law 2018


by Nicole Ortiz

Ragesh K. Tangri of Durie Tangri was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Trade Secrets Law.

Ragesh K. Tangri LOTY

Cedric C. Chao, San Francisco "Lawyer of the Year" for Arbitration 2018


by Nicole Ortiz

Cedric C. Chao of DLA Piper was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Arbitration.

Cedric C. Chao LOTY

Michael E. Gatto, Oakland "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs 2018


by Van Blois Law Firm

Michael E. Gatto of Van Blois Law Firm was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

Michael E. Gatto LOTY

R. Lewis Van Blois, Oakland "Lawyer of the Year" for Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs 2018


by Van Blois Law Firm

R. Lewis Van Blois of Van Blois Law Firm was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs.

R. Lewis Van Blois LOTY

Dedicated to Its Clients: The Simon Law Firm, P.C.


by The Simon Law Firm

Client-focused litigation delivering multi-million dollar verdicts across personal injury and intellectual property law.

Simon Law Firm: Missouri Personal Injury & IP Lawyers

Martha N. Donovan, Woodbridge “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation – Environmental 2018


by Nicole Ortiz

Highlighting Martha N. Donovan of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus and her achievements in litigation – environmental.

Martha N. Donovan LOTY 2018

Gianfranco A. Pietrafesa, Hackensack “Lawyer of the Year” for Corporate Law 2018


by Nicole Ortiz

Highlighting Gianfranco A. Pietrafesa of Archer & Greiner and his achievements in corporate law.

Gianfranco A. Pietrafesa LOTY

Jerry Glover, Chicago, IL “Lawyer of the Year” for Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television


by Tess Congo

Q&A with Jerry Glover of Leavens, Strand, & Glover discussing his achievements in entertainment law.

Jerry Glover "LOTY"

Safeguarding the Community


by Sean Stonefield

When companies put profits over safety, trial attorney Daniel J. T. Sciano steps in.

Daniel J. T. Sciano of Tinsman & Sciano, Inc

Jane Snoddy Smith, Austin, TX "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation – Real Estate


by Tess Congo

Highlighting Jane Snoddy Smith of Norton Rose Fulbright and her achievements in litigation – real estate.

Jane Snoddy Smith "LOTY"

Trending Articles

Introducing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore


by Jennifer Verta

This year’s awards reflect the strength of the Best Lawyers network and its role in elevating legal talent worldwide.

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore

Revealing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria


by Jamilla Tabbara

These honors underscore the reach of the Best Lawyers network and its focus on top legal talent.

map of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

Effective Communication: A Conversation with Jefferson Fisher


by Jamilla Tabbara

The power of effective communication beyond the law.

 Image of Jefferson Fisher and Phillip Greer engaged in a conversation about effective communication

The 2025 Legal Outlook Survey Results Are In


by Jennifer Verta

Discover what Best Lawyers honorees see ahead for the legal industry.

Person standing at a crossroads with multiple intersecting paths and a signpost.

The Best Lawyers Network: Global Recognition with Long-term Value


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how Best Lawyers' peer-review process helps recognized lawyers attract more clients and referral opportunities.

Lawyers networking

Jefferson Fisher: The Secrets to Influential Legal Marketing


by Jennifer Verta

How lawyers can apply Jefferson Fisher’s communication and marketing strategies to build trust, attract clients and grow their practice.

Portrait of Jefferson Fisher a legal marketing expert

A Guide to Workers' Compensation Law for 2025 and Beyond


by Bryan Driscoll

A woman with a laptop screen reflected in her glasses

Is Your Law Firm’s Website Driving Clients Away?


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key website issues that may be affecting client engagement and retention.

Phone displaying 'This site cannot be reached' message

Blogging for Law Firms: Turning Content into Client Connections


by Jamilla Tabbara

How law firms use blogs to earn trust and win clients.

Lawyer typing blog content on laptop in office

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends in Texas, Utah, Georgia and SC


by Bryan Driscoll

A fresh wave of medical malpractice reform is reshaping the law.

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends hed

Why Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk Want to 'Delete All IP Law'


by Bryan Driscoll

This Isn’t Just a Debate Over How to Pay Creators. It’s a Direct Challenge to Legal Infrastructure.

Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey standing together Infront of the X logo

Best Lawyers Launches CMO Advisory Board


by Jamilla Tabbara

Strategic counsel from legal marketing’s most experienced voices.

Group photo of Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board members

As Fla. Pushes to Repeal Controversial 'Free Kill' Law, DeSantis Signals Veto


by Bryan Driscoll

The fight to transform state accountability standards may be in trouble

free kill law hed

Changes in California Employment Law for 2025


by Laurie Villanueva

What employers need to know to ensure compliance in the coming year and beyond

A pair of hands holding a checklist featuring a generic profile picture and the state of California

Key Issues to Tackle on Law Firm Landing Pages


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key issues on law firm landing pages to improve client engagement and conversion.

Laptop showing law firm landing page analytics

Build Your Legal Practice with Effective Online Networking


by Jamilla Tabbara

How thoughtful online networking supports sustained legal practice growth.

Abstract web of connected figures symbolizing online networking among legal professionals