Eric J. Rakestraw

Ryan Bruning – Attorney at Law Ryan Bruning is a highly respected trial attorney at The Bruning Law Firm in St. Louis, Missouri, where he focuses his practice on workers’ compensation , personal injury , and civil litigation . Known for his attention to detail and aggressive advocacy, Ryan has built a reputation for delivering strong results for injured workers and accident victims across Missouri and Illinois. Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® , Ryan has successfully rep...

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.

John Challis is the Managing Partner at Kembell Woods & Martinsen, where he advocates for individuals and businesses in a wide range of contested matters. With a focus on fiduciary litigation and administration, John is recognized for delivering outstanding results for his clients through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. ​He counsels clients on fiduciary relationships, disputed administration, will and trust contests, and asset transfer disputes, drawing on substantial trial and ap...

Mr. Witcher has practiced in the areas of labor and employment law since 1996. Lance concentrates his practice primarily in litigation of employment-related disputes, human resources counseling and matters before the Occupational and Mine Safety Health Review Commissions. He has represented employers in a wide range of litigation matters in both state and federal court, and before arbitrators, administrative law judges and other tribunals in disputes involving alleged discrimination based on ...

Jeff Wehmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jeff, 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 Jeff is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Gottschalk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Jim, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jim is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Barnerd is a Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He joined the firm in 2002 as mesothelioma and asbestos attorney, and today is a member of the firm’s management committee. He previously served for two years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Madison County, Ill. John earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois College and graduated with his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law. In 2010, Chicago Lawyers Magazine recognized him as a top 40 Under 40 ...

Amy Bender-Levy is a member of the Firm’s family law department and is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois as well as the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Amy’s practice focuses on divorce, custody, modification, orders of protection, third-party custody, guardianship of adults and minors, and grandparents’ rights. Amy serves as a Guardian ad Litem representing the best interests of children in those cases in which she is appointed by the cou...

G. Harley Blosser is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law and Trademark Law. G. Harley, who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which G. Harley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice ...

Don M. Downing is a former Missouri Chief Deputy Attorney General and managing partner of the St. Louis office of one of the region's largest law firms. As Chief Deputy Attorney General - Missouri's top appointed legal officer - from 1993 to 1995, Mr. Downing was the lead lawyer in cases involving consumer protection, antitrust, environmental, securities and many other areas of law. He appeared before the Supreme Court of the United States four times, including one case he personally argued. ...