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"Joe pays attention to client needs, is extremely responsive, practical, and has specialized knowledge that provides creative solutions and helps us be successful.”

Andy Navarro, Sompo of America Insurance

Overview

Joe comes up with practical solutions to resolve disputes, but he has the litigation experience to handle a case all the way to trial when necessary.

Joe listens carefully to clients’ objectives, then evaluates their matters and works to resolve cases as quickly and simply as possible. When litigation is necessary, Joe is a seasoned courtroom advocate. He has more than 30 years of experience with jury and bench trials and has obtained defense verdicts in courtrooms nationwide.

Joe guides manufacturing clients in all aspects of product safety, including investigations, product warnings and recalls, warranties and instructions, product testing and product warning analysis. He counsels employers on discrimination issues involving age, gender, race and disability discrimination; sexual harassment; hostile environment; non-compete agreements; non-solicitation matters; and temporary restraining order (TRO) litigation in federal and state courts.

He also advises clients on complex business litigation, contract disputes, commercial litigation, fraud claims and nursing home defense. In addition, Joe collaborates with start-up companies using his manufacturing experience to help them plan, and avoid trouble.

"Joe pays attention to client needs, is extremely responsive, practical, and has specialized knowledge that provides creative solutions and helps us be successful.”

Andy Navarro, Sompo of America Insurance

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation, 2025
    • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2024 and 2025
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Education

  • J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law
    • cum laude
    • Order of the Woolsack
    • Saint Louis University Law Journal, Editor
  • M.Ed., University of Missouri-Saint Louis
    • Counseling
  • B.S., University of Missouri-Saint Louis
    • Education
    • with honors

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Defense Research Institute
  • Midwest Manufacturing Leaders
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
  • Missouri Venture Forum
  • National Association of Manufacturers
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience

Product Liability

  • Advised major manufacturer on issuance of warning notice involving consumer product, more than 5 million of which were manufactured.
  • Obtained defense verdict for global electronics and engineering company Siemens AG after two-week jury trial in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Circuit Court. Plaintiff alleged traumatic brain injury and sought $21 million in damages. Jury found no negligence by client and found plaintiff 100 percent at fault.

Labor & Employment

  • Obtained defense verdict for BJC Medical Group, an affiliate of BJC HealthCare, which was sued by plaintiff who alleged she was terminated because she was disabled and/or employer perceived her as disabled.

Toxic Tort

  • Attained defense jury verdict for Olin Corp. in negligence liability action involving alleged toxic exposure that resulted in second-degree burns and alleged permanent respiratory problems.
Outside the Office

Joe enjoys playing golf. Often he takes clients to charity events to play golf and support a worthy cause.

Community Leadership
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, Golf Tournament Committee, 2003-present
Counseling Skills

Joe holds a Master’s of Education degree in general counseling, providing him special insights into client relationships and negotiations with opposing counsel.

He believes that having an in-depth understanding of how people think and react helps him advance client interests by focusing on resolutions and settlements instead of butting heads with opponents in court.

Joe has been involved in more than 300 mediations and routinely achieves resolutions below the evaluated authority. He finds that these resolutions are the most efficient and effective way to achieve client goals and make for happier clients.