Matthew J. Smith

Don M. Downing is a former Missouri Chief Deputy Attorney General and managing partner of the St. Louis office of one of the region's largest law firms. As Chief Deputy Attorney General - Missouri's top appointed legal officer - from 1993 to 1995, Mr. Downing was the lead lawyer in cases involving consumer protection, antitrust, environmental, securities and many other areas of law. He appeared before the Supreme Court of the United States four times, including one case he personally argued. ...

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...

Drew Weber focuses his practice on general corporate, real estate and local government law matters. He currently serves as outside general counsel for business entities of all sizes and in multiple industries. Drew’s corporate practice includes employment law issues, mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate formation and organizational matters, including general business and closely held corporations, and all forms of partnership and limited liability company entities. Representat...

Mara J. Lahnar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Mara J., 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 Mara J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Foppe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Patrick, 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 Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As a Partner in the Asbestos Department, Paul supervises a team of attorneys and legal staff who handle mesothelioma cases filed throughout the United States. Paul and his team have represented hundreds of mesothelioma victims, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on their behalf. Managing the trial team is only part of Paul’s responsibilities. As an asbestos attorney, he personally handles all aspects of his clients’ cases, which can include inve...

Beth A. Bauer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Beth A., who practices law in Edwardsville, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Beth A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer Woulfe is a trusted litigator who defends individuals, corporations, and governmental entities in Missouri and Illinois state and federal courts. Her practice includes automobile liability, highway design, premises liability, product liability, and insurance law, with appellate experience before the Missouri Court of Appeals. Recognized by peers for her professionalism, Jennifer has received the John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award and serves her second term as a member of the Theo...

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.

Lawrence Brody retired as an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, after fifty years of teaching Estate Planning and Drafting. He is a visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami Law School, teaching a course on Life Insurance. Mr. Brody is the author or co-author of numerous articles and books on the use of life insurance in estate and employee benefit planning, including two BNA Tax Management Portfolios, two books for the National Underwriter Company, and a nu...