Lauren Schuster

Allison Gerli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Allison, 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 Allison is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 Pesce is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Melissa, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Korissa M. Zickrick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Korissa 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 Korissa M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael F. Harris received his law degree ( cum laude ) from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1983 and his undergraduate degree ( cum laude ) from Arizona State University in 1980. While in law school, Mike served as Assistant Managing Editor of the Saint Louis University Law Journal and was selected for the Order of the Woolsack. Mike is a Certified Public Accountant. Mike has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and Missouri-Kansas Super Lawyers. In addition to labo...

Julie Devine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Julie, 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 Julie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeremiah W. Nixon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Government Relations Practice. Jeremiah W., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeremiah W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chad Reis is a skilled trial lawyer and focuses his practice on employment law, representing clients in employment litigation before juries in state and federal courts and before state and federal administrative agencies. He has a broad range of employment trial experience, including claims involving: Discrimination Harassment Whistleblowing and retaliation Wage and hour matters Chad represents numerous national and local employers in the following industries: Retail Hospitality Construction ...

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. ...