Whether you’re reviewing a construction contract, struggling to understand a lien waiver, or gearing up for a full-blown construction dispute, it’s important to have someone on your side that understands your industry and local region. All of the lawyers on this list specialize in the construction industry, and represent GCs, subcontractors, and suppliers on a variety of projects in St Louis, Missouri.
Top Construction Lawyers in St Louis, MO
Below is our list of the top construction lawyers in St. Louis. We’ll examine them one-by-one according to their experience and qualifications. In addition to that, we’ll take a look at a few of the other services they offer to contractors in St. Louis and beyond.
We selected the construction lawyers for this list because they:
- Specialize in construction law
- Are members of the St. Louis Bar Association
- Practice in St. Louis, Missouri
- Are thought leaders in construction law
- Actively answer questions from Missouri construction businesses
Jessica Courtway
Jessica Courtway is an associate at Greensfelder, a law firm based in St. Louis. Her specialization is construction law, and she represents her clients’ interests in a wide range of construction-related disputes. Jessica mainly specializes in prosecuting mechanics liens, negotiating contracts, and resolving contractor licensing issues.
Jessica joined Greensfelder after getting her J.D. from Washington University in 2014 cum laude. She got her B.A. from Saint Louis University in 2011 magna cum laude. Apart from her academic accomplishments, she’s a member of several industry specific organizations, such as the Forum on Construction Law of the ABA and the National Association of Women in Construction. She’s a Law Diversity Fellow at the ABA and was the president of the Missouri Asian-American Bar Association from 2018-2019.
Ronald Eisenberg
Ronald is a Partner with Schultz Law Group in Chesterfield, MO. He is actively involved in the Levelset Community, offering free help and advice to construction businesses across the state.
Ronald’s practice specialties include:
- Civil litigation
- Commercial collections
- Contracts
- Employment law
- Real estate
- Torts
- Bankruptcy
Prior to entering private practice, Ron worked as a Staff Attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk. Before law school, Ron served as Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic.
Ronald earned his JD from the Saint Louis University School of Law.
Chantal Fink Mehill
Chantal’s law practice is solely dedicated to serving the construction industry. She has crafted several custom construction contracts to suit the needs of clients on both multi-projects and individual jobs. Chantal eschews the “one size fits all” construction contract, instead focusing on her clients’ specific needs to incorporate provisions serve them better.
Chantal is active member of the AGC Service Supplier Council, the ABA Forum on Construction (where she was selected to serve on the Trial Academy committee), and the Missouri Consortium for Construction Innovation.
Chantal specializes in:
- Pre-project contract risk review
- Bid & procurement
- Claims & disputes
- Construction litigation
- Contract default & termination
- Contract preparation, negotiation & administration
- Mechanics liens & bond claims
Chantal earned her JD from the University of Missouri.
William Thomas
William “Bill” Thomas, an experienced trial attorney, is co-founder and Principal of Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas in St. Louis. He has been selected as a “Super Lawyer” for Construction Law in Missouri and Kansas for nearly a decade, and was named in AM Best as a “Best Lawyer in America” in Construction Law and Litigation for several years running. Bill was also recognized by AM Best and peers as “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation-Construction in 2022.
Bill’s practice specialties include:
- Construction contract review and negotiation
- Breach of contract
- Warranty claims
- Construction defects
- Construction liens
- Bid mistakes and withdrawals
- Payment disputes
- Code violations
- Liability issues
- Contractor licensing & board complaints
Bill earned his JD from the St. Louis University School of Law.
Kelly Muensterman
Kelly Muensterman is an associate at Polsinelli, a national law firm with an office in St. Louis. Kelly believes that no two clients are alike, and he couldn’t be more correct in the field of construction law. He tailors his services to each of his client’s needs to ensure they receive the best possible outcome for their cases and find resolution to each issue and dispute they face.
Kelly earned his J.D. from Washington University in 2014 and his B.S. from the University of Alabama in 2010. He’s a member of the Missouri Bar, the ABA, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Patrick Thornton
Patrick Thornton is a member at Lewis Rice, a construction law firm based in St Louis.
He represents clients of all sizes, from individuals to large private companies. He is a member of the ABA and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. He got his J.D. from Washington University in 2010 and his B.A. from Notre Dame in 2006.
He defends his clients in a variety of areas, including:
- Insurance coverage disputes
- Mechanics liens
- Eminent domain and condemnation
- Breaches of contract
Dan Gabris
Dan Gabris is the founding member at Gabris Law. As a construction lawyer in St Louis, Dan has dedicated his career to helping his clients with disputes related to construction law and real estate.
In his construction law practice, he assists contractors, subs, owners, and suppliers with:
- Drafting contracts
- Mechanics liens
- CollectionsI beli
- Delay claims
- Retainage disputes
- Change orders
- And much more
Dan earned his B.A. from Missouri State University and his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas School of Law. Since then, Dan has been working with some of the best lawyers in the state, and has been recognized as a Rising Star (2016-2019) by Super Lawyers as well as a Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney. He’s also delivered several presentations on construction and real estate law.
Kenneth A. Slavens
Kenneth Slavens is a partner at Husch Blackwell. At Husch Blackwell, Ken primarily represents architects, engineers, owners, and contractors in construction disputes, large and small.
Ken has worked in the construction industry long before he got his J.D. During college, his interest in the construction industry was piqued when he worked for a residential and small commercial contractor. He decided to follow through after law school, and has been serving the construction community ever since.
Kenneth’s areas of focus:
- Delays
- Cost overruns
- Property damage
- Suspension of work
Today, he’s a member of the the Construction Litigation Committee, the Forum on Construction Law, the Construction Law Committee for the Missouri Bar, the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers, and he’s a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and the ABA.
Ken got his M.A. in Political Science from the University of St. Louis and his J.D. from the Saint Louis University School of Law.
Steven M. Cockriel
Steven Cockriel is a construction lawyer at Cockriel & Christofferson. Steven specializes in construction contracts, litigation, claims, arbitration, mechanics liens, surety law, and public construction law.
Steven is a member of the Forum on the Construction Industry, the Construction Law Committee of the Missouri Bar, and the Illinois State Bar Association.
He has also received several accolades, such as:
- Selection to the Best Lawyers in America in the Specialty of Construction Law (2013-2018)
- Selection to the Best Lawyers in America in the Specialty of Construction Litigation (2007-2018)
- Selection to Super Lawyers in Construction Law (2007-2017)
- Named St. Louis Lawyer of the Year in Construction Litigation by Best Lawyers in 2018
- Named St. Louis Lawyer of the Year in Construction Litigation by Best Lawyers in 2012
- AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Steven got his B.S.C.E. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1983 and his J.D. from St. Louis University in 1986.
John G. Beseau
John Beseau is a partner at Foley & Mansfield. As a construction lawyer in St Louis, he represents contractors, subcontractors, and owners in construction disputes. He handles cases concerning breaches of contract, construction defects, payment disputes, and mechanics liens. Along with that, he’s the chief counsel for a major general contractor, serving in disputes all over the country.
He’s a member of the St. Louis Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. He’s also a Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney, and was selected to Rising Stars in 2009 by way of peer recognition.
John got his B.S.B.A. from Saint Louis University in 2001 and his J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law in 2004.
Aaron G. Weishaar
Aaron Weishaar is a principal and officer of Reinert Weishaar Attorneys at Law. In his construction law practice, he’s represented large surety companies, local businesses, international corporations, and everything in between.
His specialty lies in surety bond claims, trusts and estates, business and commercial litigation, and construction law.
Additionally, he represents clients in cases dealing with:
- Contracts
- Subcontracts
- Lien waivers
- Change orders
- Pay apps
- And more
As a testament to his expertise, Aaron was selected to Rising Stars from 2010-2012 and is listed as a Top Rated Surety Attorney in St. Louis. He’s also a member of many professional groups, such as the Regional Union Construction Center, the St. Louis Supplier/Service Provider Council, the Surety Law Committee, the Missouri Bar, the Illinois State Bar Association, and more.
Aaron got his B.A. from Saint Louis University in 1994 and his J.D. from the same institution in 1999.
Find answers to your St. Louis legal and payment questions
There are plenty of highly-qualified and committed construction lawyers in St. Louis and the surrounding area, and each of them specialize in different aspects of construction law to meet the needs of any client.
The construction lawyers listed above also members of the Levelset Attorney Network, a free resource available to anyone looking for payment help in construction. Visit the Payment Help Center to ask any number of payment related or legal questions completely free of charge and get advice that’s tailored to your needs and the region you work in.