Christopher Smith

I became a trial lawyer because I trust myself to never give up on someone I am fighting for. It’s that simple. Once I agree to represent someone, that’s what I do. Tirelessly. No matter what. Whatever it takes. Until we win. You can ask every client I’ve ever represented—they’ll tell you that the road to seeking justice (and I mean full justice) includes every terrain. There are challenges to overcome, battles to fight, and elation to feel when we we’ve me...

Thomas K. Neill practices primarily in civil litigation, including personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, Federal Employer’s Liability Act, and consumer class actions. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois. Mr. Neill’s work for his clients has been recognized on numerous occasions. In 2013, he received the St. Louis County Bar Association’s Roy F. Essen Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, given annually to an attorney under 36 years of...

John Simmons founded the firm in 1999 with seven employees and a focus on asbestos litigation. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded to more than 250 employees, including more than 80 attorneys, spread between five offices in Alton, St. Louis, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. John has overseen some of the biggest verdicts and settlements in the history of asbestos litigation. The firm’s first trial involved a roofer and former Shell Oil employee diagnosed with mesothelioma...

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...

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...

Michael J. Payne is a partner at Frankel, Rubin, Klein, Payne & Pudlowski, P.C. and focuses his practice on estate planning, fiduciary litigation and civil litigation. He counsels individuals, couples, families and small business owners in creating an estate plan that is specifically tailored to their individualized needs. His passion for estate planning is evident in his approach of collaborating with clients to solve their most important personal, legal and business planning decisions. ...

Victor Essen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Victor, 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 Victor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mara J. Lahnar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Mara J., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mara J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David S. Spewak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. David S., who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stuart J. Vogelsmeier is a business lawyer and represents health care providers, owner-operated businesses and individuals in Missouri, Illinois and throughout the Midwest. He practices health law and corporate law. Mr. Vogelsmeier has been involved in every phase of the life of business. This includes dealing with structuring businesses, buying and selling businesses, providing regulatory advice, negotiating contracts and leases, structuring joint ventures, as well as providing planning advi...