R. Thomas "Thom" Avery

Gretchen Garrison graduated from the University of Missouri in 1982 with a degree in Hospital Administration. She earned her law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1986, where she served as managing editor of the UMKC Law Reviewand on the Moot Court Board. Ms. Garrison is admitted to practice before all Missouri state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. She has appeared before every appellate court in...

Joshua E. Douglass is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Education Law. Joshua E., 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 Joshua E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Piontek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Mark, 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 Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For many years Rick Wuestling has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Legal Malpractice Defense and Personal Injury Defense, for St. Louis, Missouri. In 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2021 Best Lawyers named him as its Lawyer of the Year for Legal Malpractice Defense in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2016, Best Lawyers named him as its St. Louis Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation Defense. In past years, Super Lawyers has named him as one of the top fifty lawyers...

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

Michael Quillin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

John Barnerd is a Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He joined the firm in 2002 as mesothelioma and asbestos attorney, and today is a member of the firm’s management committee. He previously served for two years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Madison County, Ill. John earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois College and graduated with his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law. In 2010, Chicago Lawyers Magazine recognized him as a top 40 Under 40 ...

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-...

Litigator James G. Martin defends corporations and individuals facing high-stakes, complex business lawsuits, white collar criminal charges, and allegations of corporate governance and compliance violations. A former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jim is regularly lead defense counsel in class action and civil litigation matters, including SEC fraud and healthcare fraud in False Claims Act (FCA) litigation. Corporations also call on him to lead internal investigations rel...