Benjamin F. "Ben" Westhoff

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...

Bhavik R. Patel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Bhavik R., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bhavik R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic...

James F. Bennett has a national practice of cases that are not expected to settle before trial or appeal. He is lead trial and appellate counsel in high-profile cases, and has tried to verdict many cases involving eight- and nine-figure amounts in dispute. He has also prevailed before trial in other, similar cases and has argued appeals in eight different appellate courts around the country. Three times in recent years, he was awarded the “largest” defense or plaintiff verdict awa...

Chris Wright has represented victims and their families in complex personal injury, medical negligence, nursing home negligence and wrongful death cases since 1998. Chris is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas (currently inactive). Chris grew up in Oakville in South St. Louis County, and is the son of the late Colonel Allen D. Wright (US Army & MO Army National Guard) and JoAnn Wright. He graduated from CBC High School in 1990, where he was a member of the National ...

Matthew J. Madsen’s practice includes the representation of affluent private clients in the structure and implementation of complex estate and wealth transfer planning strategies, estate and trust administration and litigation, and audits of gift and estate tax returns. Mr. Madsen advises private clients on their charitable giving strategies, ranging from charitable pledge agreements, donor-advised funds, supporting organizations to private foundations. Mr. Madsen similarly advises tax-...

Vincent D. Reese focuses his practice on labor, employment, and education law, in addition to commercial litigation. Vince has successfully litigated employment discrimination claims based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, and pregnancy in Missouri and Illinois State Courts as well as many federal district courts around the country. Vince has extensive experience in representing his clients’ interests with respect to investigations conducted by the U.S. Equal Emp...

James O'Leary is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. James, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin C. Fleming is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law. Kevin C., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Hallie Van Duren is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Hallie, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hallie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom Clark serves as the firm's Chief Operating Officer and leads the firm’s St. Louis office. His expertise encompasses all aspects of employee benefits programs, including the design, implementation and compliance of retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and executive and incentive compensation arrangements. He also has a robust practice assisting covered service providers in meeting their ERISA compliance needs. Mr. Clark’s vast litigation experience complements the firm&r...