Lauren E. Druessel

James F. Bennett has a national practice of cases that are not expected to settle before trial or appeal. He is lead trial and appellate counsel in high-profile cases, and has tried to verdict many cases involving eight- and nine-figure amounts in dispute. He has also prevailed before trial in other, similar cases and has argued appeals in eight different appellate courts around the country. Three times in recent years, he was awarded the “largest” defense or plaintiff verdict awa...

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.

Patricia D. Gray is a partner at Muhm & Reilly, LLC. She received a B.S.N. degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1963 and a J.D. from Washington University in 1981. She is admitted to practice in Missouri and the U.S. Tax Court, and is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Bar Association of Metropolitan Saint Louis and the Women Lawyer’s Association. Ms. Gray is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a former Adjunc...

Patrick J. Hagerty is a native of St. Louis. He completed his undergraduate studies at Quincy College in 1981. He received his law degree in 1985 from Saint Louis University School of Law, and served as an editor of the Saint Louis University Law Journal. Mr. Hagerty is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois, and in federal district courts and courts of appeal in Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Arkansas and the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Circuits. He serves on the Board of Governors of th...

Brent A. Sumner is the Managing Partner at Sumner Law Group, LLC. He focuses his practice exclusively on cases that involve serious personal injuries. Over the years, he has successfully represented thousands of individuals and families, recovering millions of dollars in compensation for injured accident victims. As an experienced litigator, Brent stresses how important it is to have an attorney who is prepared to go to trial in a serious personal injury case. Insurance companies need to know...

Tom Clark serves as the firm's Chief Operating Officer and leads the firm’s St. Louis office. His expertise encompasses all aspects of employee benefits programs, including the design, implementation and compliance of retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and executive and incentive compensation arrangements. He also has a robust practice assisting covered service providers in meeting their ERISA compliance needs. Mr. Clark’s vast litigation experience complements the firm&r...

Erin E. Williams is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Erin E. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Erin E. Williams since 2020. 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 Erin E. Williams is held by other lawyers.

Christopher Castellanos is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Christopher practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher Castellanos since 2027. 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 Christopher Castellanos is held by other lawyers.

Jim Gottschalk is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Jim practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Jim Gottschalk since 2023. 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 professiona...

Joshua E. Douglass is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Education Law. Joshua, who practices law in Missouri and Kansas, 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.