Robert D. "Bob" Nienhuis

Mat Eilerts has gained a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable Family Law attorney in Missouri and Illinois. Having specialized in Family Law for almost 20 years, Mat has handled thousands of domestic relations cases in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, including high conflict and complex dissolution of marriage and custody matters. He possesses a unique style in the area of Family Law due to his experience as not only a successful litigator, but as a trained and experienced mediator and g...

James C. Hetlage is an experienced employment attorney, litigator, and municipal attorney. He represents government and private-sector employers before state and federal administrative agencies, trial courts and appellate courts. Mr. Hetlage is experienced in resolving employment discrimination claims and other labor and employment disputes in court and through mediation and arbitration. He has addressed the impact of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter for employers, and has...

Jeffrey Dunn is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Jeffrey practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey Dunn since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jeffrey Dunn is held by other lawyers.

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...

Heidi M. Ottsen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Heidi M. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Heidi M. Ottsen since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Heidi M. Ottsen is held by other lawyers.

I became a trial lawyer because I trust myself to never give up on someone I am fighting for. It’s that simple. Once I agree to represent someone, that’s what I do. Tirelessly. No matter what. Whatever it takes. Until we win. You can ask every client I’ve ever represented—they’ll tell you that the road to seeking justice (and I mean full justice) includes every terrain. There are challenges to overcome, battles to fight, and elation to feel when we we’ve me...

Bhavik R. Patel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Bhavik R. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Bhavik R. Patel since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflec...

Lauren L. Wood is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Insurance. Lauren L. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Lauren L. Wood since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lauren L. Wood is held by other lawyers.

Melanie Gurley Keeney practices in the areas of education, higher education, labor and employment, and immigration law. Her experience in education law includes representing school districts and institutions of higher education regarding various personnel and student matters, including tenure, terminations, discrimination, First Amendment, discipline, special education, Title IX, sexual discrimination, § 1983 claims, Open Meetings law, OCR complaints and other issues. Melanie represents ...

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. ...