Joseph S. "Joe" von Kaenel

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...

Melissa G. Nolan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Melissa G., 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 Melissa G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim has extensive experience in handling labor and employment law litigation in federal and state courts, and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Justice, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and several state agencies. He also regularly advises employers on all labor and human resource management issues in an effort to prevent or resolve employee issues before they escalate into legal disputes.Prior to his pr...

Richard D. Watters advises all types of health care clients from large hospital systems to individual physicians, nurses and other health care professionals on various matters including general health care laws and regulations, business operations, contracting, governance and corporate issues, licensing/regulatory compliance, the Stark Law, fraud and abuse, EMTALA, Certificates of Need, medical staff issues, practice and business acquisitions, joint ventures, Medicare and Medicaid conditions ...

Diane Mispagel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Diane, 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 Diane is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Troy A. Bozarth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Troy A., who practices law in Edwardsville, Illinois, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Troy A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joshua E. Douglass is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Education Law. Joshua E., 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 Joshua E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen M. Strum is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Health Care, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Stephen M., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Attorney Drew Sealey works as a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He focuses his practice on representing individuals and their families across the country impacted by asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. He has helped recover more than $50 million in verdicts and settlements on their behalf. “Mesothelioma is such a rare disease and often times the initial shock of a diagnosis, coupled with the cost of treatment and the need to file a lawsuit, can be overwhelming for my clien...

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.