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“Bob is a very well-equipped and very skilled attorney.”

Client Feedback, Chambers USA

Overview

After practicing labor and employment law for more than 30 years, Bob easily anticipates problems and strategizes solutions for clients as they navigate the complex area of human resources.

As managing partner of the firm’s St. Louis office and a former member of the Executive Board, Bob has spent more than 20 years in senior law firm management positions, providing him a unique perspective that carries over to his clients. He has a great deal of empathy for clients because he has experienced many of the same challenges and opportunities that he helps them address.

As the son of a union shop steward, Bob’s interest in labor and employment was instilled early in life. He enjoys employment law generally because it is so personal and relatable – rooted in the human dynamics of the workplace.

Bob has served as first chair in numerous federal and state court trials involving the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and employment discrimination, and he has obtained summary judgment for defendants in more than 50 employment discrimination lawsuits. He has defended appeals of favorable employment decisions before the Seventh, Eighth and Tenth U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Bob is a very well-equipped and very skilled attorney.”

Client Feedback, Chambers USA

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Missouri Lawyers Media
    • Top Managing Partners in Missouri, 2023 and 2024
    • Missouri Lawyers Awards, Law Firm Leader, 2022
  • President of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, 2021-2022
  • Benchmark Litigation
    • Labor & Employment Star - Midwest, 2018-2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Employment Law - Management, 2006-2025
    • Labor Law - Management, 2006-2025
    • Litigation - Labor & Employment, 2006-2025
  • Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer, 2023 and 2024
  • ​​​​​​​Chambers USA
    • Labor & Employment, 2009-2019
    • Eminent Practitioner, 2020-2024
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
    • Employment Litigation: Defense, 2005-2023
    • Top 100, 2008
    • Top 50 St. Louis, 2008, 2012
  • St. Louis Business Journal, "40 Under 40," 2002

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
      • Virginia Environmental Law Journal, Senior Editorial Board Member
  • B.A., Washington and Lee University
    • summa cum laude
      • Distinguished Military Graduate 
      • Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association, EEO Committee, Labor and Employment Section 
  • American Health Law Association, Labor and Employment Practice Group, Vice Chair, 2013-present
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL), President, 2021-2022
  • St. Louis Regional Chamber, Board Member, 2019-2022
  • The Missouri Bar
Experience
  • Represented large financial services institution in employment litigation originally slated for litigation in Missouri state court in St. Louis County, a plaintiff-friendly venue; compelled plaintiff to arbitration, a significantly better venue for defending client's interests.
  • Defended nursing home management company from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) lawsuit where the plaintiffs alleged they missed meal breaks that had been automatically deducted from their pay.
  • Counseled nursing home management company in public policy wrongful discharge lawsuit where plaintiff alleged he was discharged for reporting regulatory violations.
  • Defended nursing home management company in noncompete dispute where another healthcare institution attempted to prevent manager from becoming employed by firm's client.
  • Representing large health system in 30-person wage and hour claim in Missouri state court.
Speaking Engagements | August 23, 2023
Panelist, "STL Rethinks Talent"
Webinar | June 10, 2020
Labor and Employment Virtual Program
News Releases | October 02, 2020
Husch Blackwell to Relocate Office in St. Louis

Husch Blackwell has committed to taking on between 100,000 and 120,000 square feet of space in Commerce Bank Tower. The firm will relocate its main St. Louis-area office to Commerce Bank Tower once construction is completed.

Outside the Office

Bob loves to have fun.

Bob spends much of his free time with his wife of 28 years and their three children. As a family, they enjoy traveling and quality time together. When he’s not with his family, Bob likes to play an “embarrassing amount of golf for a guy with a 17 handicap.”

You can also find him cruising around town in his 15-year-old red PT Cruiser convertible. While he always wanted to own a convertible, Bob says he was too frugal to buy “a real one.” He calls his PT Cruiser a compromise.

Community Leadership

As an adjunct professor at Webster University in St. Louis, Bob has been teaching “Legal Aspects of Human Resources Management” since 1997.

He also served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1985 to 1999. Bob’s additional community leadership includes:

  • Dancing With the St. Louis Stars, Participant, 2017
  • St. Louis Regional Chamber, Board of Directors, 1999-2021
  • The First Tee of Greater St. Louis, Board of Directors, Fundraising Chair, 2010-2016
  • Saint Louis Art Museum, Beaux Arts Council, 2005-present
  • Friends of St. Luke’s Hospital, Board of Directors, 2004-2008
  • St. Louis Police Athletic League, Board of Directors, 2002-2011
  • Washington & Lee University, Alumni Board of Directors, 1996-2000
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Bob regularly advises employers in grievance arbitrations and actions before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in matters alleging discrimination and unfair labor practice.

He understands the collective bargaining landscape and works with clients to avoid or manage relationships with unions, as well as drafts and negotiates collective bargaining agreements. He also regularly advises employers on wage and hour compliance and plant-closing laws.