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Overview

As a respected and tenacious litigator, Joe defends lawsuits nationwide for individuals, major financial institutions and privately held companies.

Joe consistently prevails in cases that are most critical to his clients’ businesses, such as antitrust disputes, class-action litigation, consumer-fraud allegations, securities violations and others. His experience includes:

  • Won summary judgment for large banking company in litigation involving contract and tort claims by certain borrowers.
  • Represented Monsanto (now Bayer) in a patent-infringement trial, with federal court jury returning a $1 billion verdict on behalf of company.

Joe was one of the organizers of the Trial Practice Institute, an annual three-day seminar that trains young lawyers in development of a comprehensive, well-organized approach to litigation. He also has lectured on trial advocacy at Saint Louis University School of Law and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Joe is a former Executive Board member and former co-chair of the firm. Before entering private practice, Joe was a captain in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a judge advocate. He was chief prosecuting attorney for Travis Air Force Base in California, one of the busiest court-martial jurisdictions in the world.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Award of Merit, 1977-1979
  • Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2010-2022
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2008-2014, 2016-2021
  • Cardinal Joseph Ritter Award, 2010
  • Center for Public Resources, Distinguished Neutral
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2005, 2008-2020
  • Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer, 2023 and 2024

Education

  • J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law
    • with honors
    • Saint Louis University Law Journal, Managing Editor
  • B.A., Saint Louis University

Admissions

  • Missouri

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association
  • American Bar Foundation, fellow
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • The Judicial Learning Center, St. Louis
  • The Lawyers Association of St. Louis, Missouri
  • The Missouri Bar
Experience
  • Represented Monsanto Co. (now Bayer) in a patent-infringement trial against DuPont Co. over technology for herbicide-resistant soybeans. A jury in St. Louis, Mo., federal court returned a $1 billion verdict on behalf of Monsanto.
  • Advised large banking company in litigation involving contract and tort claims by certain borrowers. Identical case involving client and same issues had been defended by another firm in state court, and client was ordered to pay more than $14 million. Using creative arguments that had not been asserted by prior counsel, secured a complete victory on all claims in federal court, with summary judgment eventually entered in favor of client.
  • Defeated class certification in litigation against Express Scripts Inc., which consisted of more than 20 cases from jurisdictions across North America. Also won summary judgment on key issues, affirming the core business functions of the company. Plaintiffs were seeking damages in excess of $1 billion.
  • Advised developer in dispute over $30 million in tax increment financing (TIF) for expansion of shopping center in St. Louis County, Mo. Court upheld client’s position and the use of TIF funding, which allowed the expansion to go forward.
  • Dismissal of a series of consolidated securities class action lawsuits on behalf of Fortune 100 pharmacy benefits client. Express Scripts Inc., Securities Litigation, 2010 WL 2671456 (E.D.Mo.).
Community Leadership
  • Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, president, 1998-present
  • Grand Center Inc., Board of Directors, Executive Committee, 2007-present
  • Logos School, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, 2009-present
  • March of Dimes, Greater Missouri Chapter, St. Louis Division, Board of Directors, 2005-present
  • Saint Louis University, Arena Campaign Committee, 2005-present; Board of Trustees, 2012-present
  • Saint Louis University School of Law, Dean’s Advisory Council, 1998-present
  • St. Louis Ambassadors, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, 1991-1998
  • Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, Board of Directors, 2011-present