Aaron M. DeLong

Celynda L. Brasher is a founding shareholder of the firm. She practices in the areas of education, litigation, and labor and employment law. Celynda represents numerous school districts throughout Missouri. She regularly advises boards of education and administrators on matters involving employee hiring, evaluation, remediation, and termination; student rights and discipline; special education; school finance; civil rights; contracts; the Missouri Open Meetings Act; church/state issues; and a...

As a Partner in the Asbestos Department, Paul supervises a team of attorneys and legal staff who handle mesothelioma cases filed throughout the United States. Paul and his team have represented hundreds of mesothelioma victims, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on their behalf. Managing the trial team is only part of Paul’s responsibilities. As an asbestos attorney, he personally handles all aspects of his clients’ cases, which can include inve...

Margaret A. Hesse primarily practices in the areas of education law, employment law, and litigation. She has represented school districts in employment matters, including Title VII, the Safe Schools Act, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Equal Pay Act. She has represented employers in labor matters before the United States Department of Labor/Wage and Hour Division, the Illinois Commission on Human Rights and the Illinois Educatio...

Patrick Hinrichs is recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Patrick has been included in Best Lawyers since 2026. The recognition is based on peer review within the legal profession among attorneys practicing in similar areas of law. Patrick Hinrichs is a personal injury attorney with The Bruning Law Firm, where he represents individuals and families in personal injury litigation matters. A St. Louis native, Pat...

Partner Melissa Crowe Schopfer joined Simmons Hanly Conroy in 2005 as an asbestos and mesothelioma attorney. In November 2012, she became an asbestos trial team leader, where her responsibilities include managing a team of attorneys and legal staff. She has worked on over 500 cases in the past 10 years and helped recover over $100 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of individuals and families impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. She has represented clients ...

Alex Lumaghi is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Alex practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Alex Lumaghi since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alex Lumaghi is held by other lawyers.

Richard D. Watters advises all types of health care clients from large hospital systems to individual physicians, nurses and other health care professionals on various matters including general health care laws and regulations, business operations, contracting, governance and corporate issues, licensing/regulatory compliance, the Stark Law, fraud and abuse, EMTALA, Certificates of Need, medical staff issues, practice and business acquisitions, joint ventures, Medicare and Medicaid conditions ...

Seth G. Gausnell has 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer. In total, he has tried more than 100 cases to verdict. He received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1983 and received his J.D. in 1985 from Saint Louis University Law School. Seth was admitted to the Bar in Missouri in 1986; the Bar in Kansas in 1987; and the Bar in Illinois in 1988. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, Western Di...

Donald Paule has extensive experience representing closely-held businesses and not-for-profit organizations. He advises clients on all aspects of the organization and operation of the client’s business including complex sale, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate development transactions. In addition, an extensive portion of his practice is devoted to tax and estate planning matters for individuals, and business owners, including ownership succession planning.

Ted L. Perryman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Transportation Law. Ted L. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Ted L. Perryman since 2010. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the profes...