Jennifer L. Therrien

Margaret A. Hesse primarily practices in the areas of education law, employment law, and litigation. She has represented school districts in employment matters, including Title VII, the Safe Schools Act, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Equal Pay Act. She has represented employers in labor matters before the United States Department of Labor/Wage and Hour Division, the Illinois Commission on Human Rights and the Illinois Educatio...

Joan Lockwood graduated with honors from Boston College in 1990 with bachelor's degrees in finance and human resource management. She earned her law degree from Saint Louis University in 1993, again graduating with honors. She served as a staff member of the Saint Louis University Law Journal and Editor of the "Health Law Edition." She was elected into the Order of the Woolsack, a scholastic honorary association. Ms. Lockwood is admitted to practice before all Missouri state courts, the U.S. ...

David L. Schenberg is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. David L. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized David L. Schenberg since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David L. Schenberg is held by other lawyers.

Eric P. Hall is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Eric P. practices law in Edwardsville, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Eric P. Hall since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Eric P. Hall is held by other lawyers.

James Ribaudo is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Insurance Law. James practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized James Ribaudo since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James Ribaudo is held by other lawyers.

Melanie Gurley Keeney practices in the areas of education, higher education, labor and employment, and immigration law. Her experience in education law includes representing school districts and institutions of higher education regarding various personnel and student matters, including tenure, terminations, discrimination, First Amendment, discipline, special education, Title IX, sexual discrimination, § 1983 claims, Open Meetings law, OCR complaints and other issues. Melanie represents ...

Rachel Shenker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Rachel practices law in Clayton, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Rachel Shenker since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rachel Shenker is held by other lawyers.

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...

Richard J. Eisen has tried and settled numerous complex family law cases. He frequently lectures and publishes articles in the area of family law. He is a certified divorce mediator and has been appointed by the Court as a Guardian ad Litem for children in custody disputes. He concentrates his practice in the area of family/domestic law, including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, maintenance, child support, child custody, modification matters, enforcement, and pre/post-nu...

Robert F. Epperson Jr., a founding member of Dowd Bennett LLP, handles complex commercial litigation, internal investigations and appeals. Representing domestic and multinational corporations, as well as high net worth individuals, Robert focuses on civil litigation and appeals in an array of industries such as agriculture, real estate, financial services and insurance. He also conducts internal investigations and counsels clients in connection with investigations undertaken by the U.S. Depar...