Jacob W. "Jake" Thessen

Betty Schaefer draws on not only her significant knowledge of the St. Louis County Probate Division, where she served as legal counsel, but also her considerable experience in private practice to craft arguments that resonate in probate court. Her deep understanding of the probate and trust codes allows her to guide clients through administration and disputes with efficiency and precision. Betty assists clients with estate and trust administration, trust funding, guardianships, and estate pla...

Melissa Pesce is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Melissa, 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 Melissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly J.H. Murrie represents major corporations in complex product liability, commercial litigation and employment matters. She appears in state and federal courts, including challenging venues such as the City of St. Louis and Jackson County in Missouri, and Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois. Kelly also handles corporate internal investigations and white collar defense. Focusing primarily on high-exposure product liability lawsuits, Kelly represents manufacturers and suppliers in th...

Todd Neilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Todd, who practices law in Alton, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Deborah C.M. Henry is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Deborah C.M., 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 Deborah C.M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shareholder Amy Garrett brings more than 22 years of litigation experience to her leadership role as Assistant Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. She has developed a fierce reputation for protecting the rights of her asbestos and complex litigation clients both in and out of the courtroom. “I have a genuine interest in every person’s story and feel like it’s my job to give our clients the power to fight for themselves and their families,” Amy said. During Amy&rs...

Brian M. Wacker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Brian M., 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 Brian M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Williams represents clients primarily in the health care, municipal, and gaming industries. His practice focuses on the defense of health care providers and entities, both insured and self-insured, in tort, business practices, and personal injury matters, as well as the defense of employment litigation. Scott's extensive experience includes advising his corporate and governmental clients daily on a wide range of general risk issues. He has also successfully defended major corporations i...

Patricia J. Martin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Patricia J., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patricia J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen R. Woodley is a native of St. Louis who completed his undergraduate degree at Washington University in 1978. In 1982, Mr. Woodley received his DMD degree, also from Washington University, and in 1986 he graduated from the Saint Louis University School of Law. In 1982, after completing his DMD degree, Mr. Woodley joined the then Gray & Ritter firm as a full-time law clerk, assisting primarily in the development of professional negligence cases. After graduation from law school in 1...