Michael F. Lause

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. ...

Don Schlapprizzi is the President of Schlapprizzi Attorneys at Law and is one of the most highly regarded trial lawyers in the State of Missouri. In 1981 he founded Schlapprizzi PC, which he has continued to expand through the years, to ensure those hurt by another's negligence or other wrongful act could obtain justice. He was the lead trial lawyer in the longest civil jury trial in the history of Missouri. Over the years, his firm has handled a wide variety of cases in Missouri and Illinois...

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.

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...

Michelle H. Basi practices primarily in the areas of education, special education, litigation, and labor and employment law. Michelle regularly advises school districts and charter schools on student matters, including special education and Section 504 compliance, First Amendment rights, Title IX compliance and student discipline. Michelle also advises schools districts and charter schools on employment matters, including Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, the FMLA, and the Teacher Tenure Act. Mic...

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.

Richard J. Eisen has tried and settled numerous complex family law cases. He frequently lectures and publishes articles in the area of family law. He is a certified divorce mediator and has been appointed by the Court as a Guardian ad Litem for children in custody disputes. He concentrates his practice in the area of family/domestic law, including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, maintenance, child support, child custody, modification matters, enforcement, and pre/post-nu...

Stephanie O. Zorn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Stephanie O., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephanie O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew J. Madsen’s practice includes the representation of affluent private clients in the structure and implementation of complex estate and wealth transfer planning strategies, estate and trust administration and litigation, and audits of gift and estate tax returns. Mr. Madsen advises private clients on their charitable giving strategies, ranging from charitable pledge agreements, donor-advised funds, supporting organizations to private foundations. Mr. Madsen similarly advises tax-...

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.