Brian G. Panka

Gene J. Brockland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Gene J., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gene J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer R. Piper is a St. Louis family law attorney with over 25 years of experience exclusively handling family law matters, recognized nationally and locally as one of the region’s premier practitioners. She is consistently named to The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Family Law (2017–2025), to Missouri Super Lawyers (2021–2025), and she holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating — the highest peer-review rating available. Ms. Piper earned ...

Dennis J. Graber is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Dennis J., who practices law in Belleville, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dennis J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Layton joined the firm in 2017 after serving more than 22 years in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office—nearly all of those as the State’s principal civil appellate lawyer, Solicitor General. Jim practices in both appellate and trial courts, particularly in matters involving complex legal questions, including those arising under the U.S. and Missouri constitutions, Missouri school funding and other education statutes, discrimination laws, and Missouri tax laws. He repr...

Melissa G. Nolan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Melissa G., 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 Melissa G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Foppe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Patrick, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For the past 19 years, Mr. Harrison has devoted his practice exclusively to the representation of companies in the area of labor and employment law. Mr. Harrison’s practice includes counseling and advising clients on employment-related matters such as work related investigations, leave and attendance issues, and disciplinary and termination decisions. He has litigated labor and employment-related matters in federal and state courts throughout the United States, including individual and ...

Derek P. Ruzicka focuses his trial practice in a diverse range of areas, with an emphasis in complex litigation. He has handled cases in a number of difficult venues, from the City of St. Louis, Missouri, to Madison and St. Clair Counties, in Illinois, and Federal Court in East St. Louis and St. Louis. Whether through dismissal, favorable trial verdicts, or reasonable case resolutions, he has successfully handled many difficult matters through completion. Derek’s experience is extensive...

Litigator James G. Martin defends corporations and individuals facing high-stakes, complex business lawsuits, white collar criminal charges, and allegations of corporate governance and compliance violations. A former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jim is regularly lead defense counsel in class action and civil litigation matters, including SEC fraud and healthcare fraud in False Claims Act (FCA) litigation. Corporations also call on him to lead internal investigations rel...

Mayer S. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Mayer S., who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mayer S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.