Gunn | Slater

2 Best Lawyers awards

Gunn | Slater logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in St. Louis.

Biography

My focus for more than 25 years has been to advocate fearlessly for clients who have been injured because of the negligence and recklessness of others. Whether you have been hurt by a healthcare provider’s error, a driver’s wrongful actions, or a corporation’s decision to sell a defective product, I have the expertise and insight to right that wrong. My clients hire me to take on their problems and solve them.

Having tried nearly 50 cases to jury verdict brings an intensity and focus to my work that is reflected in the exceptional preparation and great care I take with every case and client. Opposing counsel and their clients know which attorneys try cases, and which do not. That knowledge is commonly reflected in higher settlement offers in cases where defendants know the attorneys are not too intimidated to show up at trial. I am not afraid, and I will always show up.

My motto is simple: “I’m nice, until I’m provoked.”

In practice, if my opponents treat me, my team, and our clients with respect, they will happily get the same in return. If that practice ever changes, I will forever maintain my composure, but I will not tolerate incivility, and there will be measurable consequences. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, and I will ensure that result.

I am not satisfied until justice is served—whether that takes weeks or years, and whether it happens through a settlement or a jury trial. I’m a serious person with serious responsibilities that I do not take lightly. I will guide you through the complexities of the legal proceedings and lead you to a resolution that will enable you or your loved one to move forward. Put simply, I will fight tirelessly for you and earn your trust.

Gunn | Slater

2 Best Lawyers awards

Gunn | Slater logo

Overview

  • English

  • Saint Louis University, J.D., graduated 1996
  • Transylvania University, BA, graduated 1993

  • Missouri, The Missouri Bar
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association

  • Missouri Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee - Member
  • Women Lawyers' Association of Greater St. Louis - President, 2017-18
  • Women Lawyers' Association of Greater St. Louis - President-Elect, 2016-17
  • American Association for Justice - Member
  • American Bar Foundation - Member
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis - Treasurer
  • Illinois Bar Association - Member
  • Lawyers Association of St. Louis - Member
  • Litigation Counsel of America - Member
  • Misouri Association of Trial Attorneys - Board Member
  • Missouri Bar Association - Member
  • St. Clair County Bar Association - Member
  • St. Louis County Bar Association - Member
  • Womens Laywer Association of Greater St. Louis - Member

  • United States Court of Federal Claims
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • English
  • Missouri, The Missouri Bar
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • Missouri Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee - Member
  • Women Lawyers' Association of Greater St. Louis - President, 2017-18
  • Women Lawyers' Association of Greater St. Louis - President-Elect, 2016-17
  • American Association for Justice - Member
  • American Bar Foundation - Member
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis - Treasurer
  • Illinois Bar Association - Member
  • Lawyers Association of St. Louis - Member
  • Litigation Counsel of America - Member
  • Misouri Association of Trial Attorneys - Board Member
  • Missouri Bar Association - Member
  • St. Clair County Bar Association - Member
  • St. Louis County Bar Association - Member
  • Womens Laywer Association of Greater St. Louis - Member
  • Saint Louis University, J.D., graduated 1996
  • Transylvania University, BA, graduated 1993
  • United States Court of Federal Claims
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, St. Louis (2026)
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, St. Louis (2022)
  • Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, St. Louis (2020)
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, St. Louis (2018)
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, St. Louis (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Personal Injury Litigation
Awards:
  • American Jurisprudence Award- Commercial Transactions, 1996
  • John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award, 2006
  • Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer Award, 2007
  • Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2008-present
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury, 2009-present
  • Women’s Justice Rising Star Award, 2009
  • Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women, 2010 to present
  • The American Trial Lawyers Assoc., Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2011
  • Member of the Inns of Court, 2011-2013
  • President’s Award, BAMSL, 2013
  • Tom Strong Award, MATA, 2013
  • Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, 2007 to present
  • Kentucky Colonel, 2007 to present
  • Missouri Lawyers Weekly Influential Appellate Advocates Award 2018
  • Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" for Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs in St. Louis 2018
  • International Advisory Experts Award: Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in Missouri, 2017
  • Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers® Top 50 in St. Louis 2013-2018
  • Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers® Top 100, 2013-2018
  • Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers® Top 50 Women 2010-2018
  • Up and Coming Lawyers, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2007
  • 40 Under 40, St. Louis Business Journal, 2008

Case History

Cases
  • Jefferson ex rel. Jefferson v. Missouri Baptist Medical Center, 447 S.W.3d 701 (Mo. App. E.D. 2014)
Crystal Jefferson left behind two small children when she died of Stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 37. Five years before, a CT Scan had allegedly been misread by a radiologist resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. The hospital that provided privileges to the radiologist was granted summary judgment before trial based on a Missouri statute that had been revised during the state’s 2005 tort reform legislation to absolve hospitals for the liability of anyone other than its “employee.” Ms. Gunn appealed the decision to the Missouri Court of Appeals arguing that whether someone is an “employee” of the hospital is a matter for the jury to determine. The Court of Appeals reversed adopting Ms. Gunn’s argument and holding that employment is a jury question, essentially returning agency law to its former application in the doctor, hospital setting.
  • Duragesic Fentanyl Patch
A thirty five year old gentleman applied a Duragesic Fentanyl Patch as his doctor had recommended shortly before going to bed. He never woke up. Autopsy and toxicology revealed a lethal dose of Fentanyl in his blood and its only source, the Fentanyl Patch. This matter came into Ms. Gunn’s office as a medical negligence case, but her research showed a growing number of similar cases involving the Fentanyl Patch. This same product had been recalled in February, 2004 due to reports of leaking patches from the field. As a result of the recall, changes were made to the manufacturing process, but the design stayed the same. The family alleged that not 100% of leaks could be ruled out despite the manufacturing changes or despite quality assurance and quality control measures. Recalls continued after this death and in the summer of 2009, the company changed from the reservoir design to a matrix design, which does not leak. This matter resolved a short time thereafter.
  • Youth Football Helmet
An eighteen year old player for Pop Warner collided head to head with a teammate while wearing a youth football helmet. The collision resulted in a subdural hematoma and permanent brain damage. Discovery revealed that the helmet provided less than adequate protection for a simple youth football maneuver. Other similar incidents were also uncovered revealing numerous like injuries. The case was resolved shortly prior to trial.

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