Jennifer R. Piper

Jennifer R. Piper practices in the areas of Family Law, Juvenile Law, and Criminal Litigation. She received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri at Columbia and her law degree from St. Louis University in 2001. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Piper worked for the Missouri House of Representatives.

She is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, the St. Louis County Bar Association, and the Illinois Bar Association. She is admitted to practice before the Missouri State Courts, the Illinois State Courts (no longer active), and the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Jennifer was named a Rising Star, Up and Coming Lawyer for the State of Missouri by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for 2009 and a Rising Star, Up and Coming Lawyer for 2010-2015 by Missouri Super Lawyers. Ms. Piper served as a member of the 2010 and 2011 inaugural class of Barristers in The Theodore McMillian American Inn of Court. As a member and Past President of The St. Louis County Bar Association, Ms. Piper is still actively involved in the organization, and helps organize Continuing Legal Education Seminars and events. Ms. Piper was appointed and served on a special committee of the Missouri Bar Association dealing with issues involving juvenile cases and immigration. Ms. Piper was appointed by St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Burton to serve on a special committee to improve the Family Court of St. Louis County, by developing and implementing new local rules and procedures. Ms. Piper served on the Board of Directors for Caring for Kids, an organization developed and designed to provide essential resources to meet the urgent needs of children in foster care in St. Louis County.

Certified as a Guardian Ad Litem, Ms. Piper is regularly appointed to represent and protect children by Judges and Commissioners in St. Louis County and St. Louis City. Ms. Piper volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem for the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court Docket. Ms. Piper is certified as a Mediator for civil and family law matters. Ms. Piper is a certified Parenting Coordinator and is regularly appointed by the Court to assist families with the most difficult custody matters.

Domestic Law Specialization
Ms. Piper has successfully represented numerous individuals in all areas of domestic law. Many cases have involved dissolutions, paternity actions, child custody disputes, child support disputes, adoption, juvenile law, abuse and neglect, property division, and guardianship proceedings. Ms. Piper has successfully argued in front of the Missouri Appellate Court on several occasions. Most notably, Ms. Piper argued in the reported case of Brown v. Shannahan, 141 S.W.3d 77 (Mo.App. E.D. 2004). In Brown, the Court agreed with Ms. Piper and established the following new holding: that the statute governing relocations of parents and minor children did not apply to cases where the court was making an initial determination of paternity and custody.