Richard A. "Rich" Laney

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...

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...

John Simmons founded the firm in 1999 with seven employees and a focus on asbestos litigation. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded to more than 250 employees, including more than 80 attorneys, spread between five offices in Alton, St. Louis, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. John has overseen some of the biggest verdicts and settlements in the history of asbestos litigation. The firm’s first trial involved a roofer and former Shell Oil employee diagnosed with mesothelioma...

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

John Young is a distinguished legal professional with over two decades of unparalleled experience representing municipalities, other political subdivisions, businesses and members of the development community. With a proven track record of success and a deep understanding of the intricate world of municipal law, John is a trusted advisor. John embarked on his legal career with a commitment to serving the interests of state and local governments and other political subdivisions. As the City At...

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.

Victor Essen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Victor, 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 Victor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kari is a founding member of O'Leary, Shelton, Corrigan, Peterson, Dalton & Quillin LLC. Her practice includes all aspects of personal injury litigation, including: catastrophic injuries, many of which result in amputations; wrongful death claims; products claims; premises liability cases; auto and trucking accidents; all-terrain and side by side/utility-task vehicle accidents; forklift accidents; electrocution and power line cases; construction accidents; workplace accidents; and workers...

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

Cary J. Mogerman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and Past President of the national organization (2022). He was honored to be recognized as the AAML "Fellow of the Year" for 2018-19. He is one of the 100 Diplomates of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers (ACFTL). He has been listed in "Best Lawyers" since 1999, and named its "Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, St. Louis" three times: 2024, 2019, and 2009. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy ...