Michele C. Kloeppel

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...

For more than 25 years, Jim Adkins has represented real estate developers and investors and has helped them reduce risk and add value with respect to their real estate holdings and developments. He regularly counsels clients through all aspects of their real estate projects, including acquisition, financing, leasing, governmental and zoning approvals, incentives, management, operations and dispositions. His leasing experience includes the drafting and negotiating of build to suit, ground, ret...

Celynda L. Brasher is a founding shareholder of the firm. She practices in the areas of education, litigation, and labor and employment law. Celynda represents numerous school districts throughout Missouri. She regularly advises boards of education and administrators on matters involving employee hiring, evaluation, remediation, and termination; student rights and discipline; special education; school finance; civil rights; contracts; the Missouri Open Meetings Act; church/state issues; and a...

Margaret L. Fowler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Margaret L., 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 Margaret L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Debbie Champion is a founding partner in the firm Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch and Champion. Ms. Champion actively practices in Missouri and Southern Illinois state and federal courts. She has argued before the Missouri Supreme Court and the Eastern, Western and Southern District Missouri Courts of Appeals, and the Illinois Court of Appeals. She has also argued in the federal court of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, and the Eighth Circuit a...

Scott J. Dickenson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Scott J., 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 Scott J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Timothy A. Garnett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Timothy A., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Harry W. Wellford, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Harry W., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Harry W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mayer S. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Mayer S., who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mayer S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.