Best Lawyers in Missouri, United States for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
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John Kemppainen has more than 30 years of courtroom experience defending clients in Missouri and Illinois. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, recognized as a Missouri Super Lawyer, and has been named one of the Top Lawyers in Missouri by the St. Louis Post Dispatch . His practice includes personal injury, products liability, wrongful death, class actions, and toxic torts, with clients ranging from insurers and corporations to municipalities and individuals. He also serves as National Coord...
Kenneth W. Bean is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Kenneth W., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Seth G. Gausnell has 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer. In total, he has tried more than 100 cases to verdict. He received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1983 and received his J.D. in 1985 from Saint Louis University Law School. Seth was admitted to the Bar in Missouri in 1986; the Bar in Kansas in 1987; and the Bar in Illinois in 1988. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, Western Di...
Terrence J. O'Toole, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Terrence J., 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 Terrence J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John S. Sandberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John S., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and...
Justin L. Assouad is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Justin L., 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 Justin L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sean has extensive trial and litigation experience through his 27 years of civil defense practice. He represents national transportation companies in cases involving personal injury, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), grade crossing accidents, property damage, cumulative trauma exposure and other accident investigation and defense. His litigation experience includes a record of success in jury verdicts and pre-trial motion practice. He regularly serves on initial response teams fo...
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...
Jeffrey Dunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Jeffrey, 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 Jeffrey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Theodore J. MacDonald, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Theodore J., 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 Theodore J. 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.
Rodney Sharp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Rodney, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rodney is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
“While it's not difficult to find an attorney, finding the “right” attorney with the right experience and track record isn't always easy. During my career, I have tried 140 jury trials to verdict and 40 bench trials to judgment. My cases have been consistently recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly in their listing of Top Defendant's Verdicts in the state. I've been selected by my peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America, and Best Lawyers has awarded me with the 201...
Kenneth C. Brostron is in his 44th year of trial work. He defends health care providers and attorneys in professional negligence claims. He counsels businesses and government agencies in all aspects of their operations. He is also well-known for his work in education law, as well as state and United States constitutional matters. Mr. Brostron has been chief negotiator in labor discussions and lead counsel in a wide variety of complex litigation. His clients rely on his negotiation skills incl...
Bharat Varadachari is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Bharat, 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 Bharat is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Originally from Jacksonville, Illinois, Hayley M. Hughes attended Illinois College in her hometown. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Management and Organizational Leadership, and a minor in Sociology. She was also inducted into Delta Mu Delta, an international business honor society which recognizes and encourages academic excellence. Given her business background, Hayley brings an exceptional touch that complements the firm. Hayley transitioned to law school at St. Louis Universi...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.