Kurt F. James

Jacque Albus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Jacque, 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 Jacque is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Attorney Taylor Kerns is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy who focuses his practice on asbestos litigation. He oversees a team of attorneys and legal staff, who represent individuals across the country suffering from asbestos-related diseases. He has helped secure millions of dollars on behalf of individuals and families impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. As a trial team leader, Taylor is responsible for directing the legal strategy necessary for each case. He and h...

Michael J. Payne is a partner at Frankel, Rubin, Klein, Payne & Pudlowski, P.C. and focuses his practice on estate planning, fiduciary litigation and civil litigation. He counsels individuals, couples, families and small business owners in creating an estate plan that is specifically tailored to their individualized needs. His passion for estate planning is evident in his approach of collaborating with clients to solve their most important personal, legal and business planning decisions. ...

Erin E. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Erin E., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard B. Rothman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law. Richard B., 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 Richard B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...

Thomas K. Neill practices primarily in civil litigation, including personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, Federal Employer’s Liability Act, and consumer class actions. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois. Mr. Neill’s work for his clients has been recognized on numerous occasions. In 2013, he received the St. Louis County Bar Association’s Roy F. Essen Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, given annually to an attorney under 36 years of...

Scott Gray is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Patent Law. Scott, 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 Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ian Cooper serves clients in employment, higher education, commercial, and tort matters. Ian regularly serves as lead counsel in significant cases, including class actions and other complex litigation and has tried numerous jury and bench trials in Missouri and Illinois. He has argued cases before the Missouri Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Missouri and Illinois Courts of Appeal, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits and has briefed importa...

Kenneth C. Brostron is in his 44th year of trial work. He defends health care providers and attorneys in professional negligence claims. He counsels businesses and government agencies in all aspects of their operations. He is also well-known for his work in education law, as well as state and United States constitutional matters. Mr. Brostron has been chief negotiator in labor discussions and lead counsel in a wide variety of complex litigation. His clients rely on his negotiation skills incl...