St. Louis Magazine | November 2019

The Best Lawyers® Top Attorneys, As Chosen by Their Peers p.85

Should Lambert Be Privatized?

An In-Depth Look at the Process, Pros, and Cons of Changing Airport Operations p.100

November 2019

NA & ERS M CO W E WN O H

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FEATURES

NOV19

VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 11

64 Plugging In

Tips for knowing the city, navigating its neighborhoods, and building a network

By Jeannette Cooperman, George Mahe, Jen Roberts, and Samantha Stevenson

➝ Spanning 200 acres, the Cortex Innovation Community has helped St. Louis make leaps as a tech hub—and CEO Dennis Lower has more ideas (p. 72).

The Best Lawyers® Top Attorneys, As Chosen by Their Peers p.85

Hockey Hero

Should Lambert Be Privatized?

An In-Depth Look at the Process, Pros, and Cons of Changing Airport Operations p.100

How the Blues' Tom Stillman Turned the Team Around p.86

November 2019

P.

85

Best Lawyers®

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For this month’s cover, artist Graham Hutchings of Sinelab created an imaginative image of downtown St. Louis to illustrate the idea of plugging into the city.

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

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Top attorneys, as chosen by their peers

P.

100

Air Craft

The money experts are eyeing privatized operation of St. Louis Lambert International Airport operation. Will it fly?

By Jeannette Cooperman

November 2019 stlmag.com

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NOV19

D E PA R TM E N T S

VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 11

12

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From the Editor

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TASTE

53 Bread Winner

Salmon panzanella at Boundary

G AT E WAY

54 indo-pendent

A mix of Thai and Japanese, Nick Bognar’s

first sole endeavor has St. Louis fishing for

superlatives.

33 E

17 Making the Grade

The Tomorrow Builders look to even the playing field for early childhood education.

ELEMENTS

Give a Little Find memorable gifts by shopping local this holiday season.

18 Care Concerns

A statistical look at early childhood education

40 Party Pics

Celebrity Waiters Night, Kookin’ for Kids

20 Pick a Flick

10 great options at the St. Louis International

Film Festival

A

ANGLES

56

Fountain of Youth

Nostalgic treats and Insta-worthy options converge at Union Station.

22 Making Avery

Ron Austin’s new book shows a North St. Louis

full of warmth, humor, and steely resolve.

56 Memory Lane

A fond look back at Flaco’s Tacos

R

58 In Good Taste

Mike Del Pietro take diners down a pleasantly unfamiliar path in Clayton.

RHYTHM

60 Hot Spots

Soda Fountain, Taco Circus, Mac’s Local Eats,

and more 61 Ins, Outs & Almosts

Grace Chicken + Fish, Knockout BBQ, and more 62 King of Smash

Chris McKenzie may have just created the city’s

best cheeseburger.

25

It Takes Two

Andy Cohen returns home with pal Anderson Cooper for an evening of banter.

43

28 Agenda

St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, Nick Offerman,

and more

30 New Moves

The inaugural Big Muddy Dance Fest brings all things dance together in Grand Center.

46 Mountains and Feathers

With trauma-informed yoga, children learn to find

refuge within themselves.

31 Now Hear This

Wilco and Son Volt return with new albums

and shows.

50 Up, Up, and Away

A look back at “pioneer balloonist”

Morris Heimann

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St. Louis Sage

136

Jerald Barnes The Negotiator

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NOV19

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 11

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Jarrett Medlin Deputy Editor Amanda Woytus Staff Writer Jeannette Cooperman Dining Editor George Mahe Associate Editor Samantha Stevenson Contributing Writers Thomas Crone, Holly Fann, Ann Lemons Pollack, Dave Lowry, Melissa Meinzer, Jen Roberts, Stefene Russell, Lauren Warnecke, Tim Woodcock Intern Darian Stevenson ART & PRODUCTION Design Director Tom White Art Director Emily Cramsey Sales & Marketing Designer Monica Lazalier Production Manager Dave Brickey Staff Photographer Kevin A. Roberts Contributing Photographers & Illustrators Diane Anderson, Matt Marcinkowski, Sinelab, Ryan Snook, Britt Spencer Stylist Ana Dattilo ADVERTISING Sales Director Kim Moore Director of Digital Sales Chad Beck Account Executives Jill Gubin, Brian Haupt, Carrie Mayer, Liz Schaefer, Dani Toney Sales & Marketing Coordinator Elaine Hoffmann Digital Advertising Coordinator Blake Hunt EVENTS Director of Special Events Jawana Reid CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Dede Dierkes Circulation Coordinator Teresa Foss

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscription rate is $19.95 for 12 issues of St. Louis Magazine, six issues of Design STL, and two issues of St. Louis Family. Call 314-918-3000 to place an order or to inform us of a change of address. For corporate and group subscription rates, contact Teresa Foss at 314-918-3030.

ONLINE CALENDAR Call 314-918-3000, or email Amanda Woytus at awoytus@stlmag.com. (Please include “Online Calendar” in the subject line.) Or submit events at stlmag.com/events/submit.html.

MINGLE To inquire about event photos, email Emily Cramsey at ecramsey@stlmag.com.

(Please include “Mingle” in the subject line.)

What’s your advice for plugging into St. Louis?

“Wherever you live, cross often to the other side—of Delmar, of either river, of the city limits. Your options increase exponentially.”

—Jeannette Cooperman, staff writer “Get involved in a cause you’re passionate about. Volunteer, join a board, attend fundraisers to break into a new network.”

—Emily Cramsey, art director “Join a recreational sports league, like kickball, softball, or bowling.”

—Kevin A. Roberts, staff photographer

12 FOB_1119.indd 12

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send letters to jmedlin@stlmag.com.

MARKETING AND EVENTS For information about special events, contact Jawana Reid at 314-918-3026 or jreid@stlmag.com.

ADVERTISING To place an ad, contact Elaine Hoffmann at 314-918-3002 or ehoffmann@stlmag.com.

DISTRIBUTION Call Dede Dierkes at 314-918-3006.

Subscription Rates: $19.95 for one year. Call for foreign subscription rates.

Frequency: Monthly. Single Copies in Office: $5.46. Back Issues: $7.50 by mail (prepaid). Copyright 2019 by St. Louis Magazine LLC. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts may be submitted but must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. ©2019 by St. Louis Magazine. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1600 S. Brentwood, Suite 550 St. Louis, MO 63144 314-918-3000 | Fax 314-918-3099 stlmag.com

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NOV19

FROM THE EDITOR

VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 11

2. GO DEEP. On his popular podcast,

Ferriss offers insights on networking at conferences, suggesting that rather than trying to collect as many business cards as possible, “go with the aim of establishing a deep connection with one person, just one.”

3. BE SINCERE. Staff writer Jeannette

Social Scenes

To bring to life stories about ways to plug into the city (p. 70), artist Ryan Snook created playful illustrations.

WHEN I MENTIONED to a friend that we were working on a

story about plugging into St. Louis, he replied, “You mean, like, ‘Which high school did you go to?’”

Well, yes and no. As bestselling author and former St. Louisan Curtis Sittenfeld wrote in The New York Times years ago, “Now I consider myself a St. Louis local. I know not everyone would agree—I’ll never satisfactorily answer the question natives here ask one another on meeting, which is where they went to high school.”

Sittenfeld described the initial struggle of making friends here, but she and her husband did eventually form friendships, many with other transplants. Over time, St. Louis grew on her, notably after her first daughter was born. “One of St. Louis’ oft-touted claims—that it’s a good place to raise children—happens to be true,” she wrote.

It’s a sentiment to which my wife and I can relate, having lived here more than a decade after growing up elsewhere.

We’re now close friends with a range of St. Louisans, both the born-and-raised type and transplants from such places as Boston, Colorado, Hannibal, South Dakota, Australia, Thailand, and beyond. Each found ways to plug in. Some met friends through a social platform like Meet Up. Others joined a sports league, an urban exploring group, a yoga class. Still others found friends the old-fashioned way, through work or neighborhood get-togethers.

As my wife and I have found, plugging in takes far more than a LinkedIn account. Here are some of the tips we’ve picked up from readers, friends, and experts (p. 64).

1. VOLUNTEER. “Volunteering is an amazing secret weapon,”

bestselling author Tim Ferriss once wrote. Business events such as TEDx, are an ideal place to volunteer, though, there’s no shortage of other places. Some of our city’s most respected companies also understand the importance of giving back, providing employees with a day to volunteer and encouraging employees to serve on boards, perhaps one of the most effective ways to plug in.

14 FOB_1119.indd 14

Cooperman embodies this notion.

She’s interviewed people from all walks of life—actors, criminals, farmers, architects, teenagers, octogenarians—and what makes her such an effective interviewer is that she listens, that she’s truly curious about the person across from her.

4. MEET CONNECTORS. Just last month,

Dancing Queen This month, writer Lauren Warnecke, who’s reviewed dance for the Chicago Tribune and holds degrees in dance and kinesiology, writes about Big Muddy Dance Company’s new dance festival (p. 30).

Cooperman wrote about Lana Pepper, who seamlessly mingles with both blue-collar workers and award-winning artists. Writer Malcolm Gladwell might describe Pepper as a “connector,” someone with an innate ability to build relationships, to “link us up with the world.”

5. TRY A NEW ROUTE . Dining editor

Making Maps

George Mahe, who might also be considered a connector, has his own secret for getting to know the city: a scooter (p. 75), a fun way to get around and a great conversation starter.

Follow Along

But back to the classic STL question. “A lof of St. Louisans ask those questions as a way to bond,” says St. Louis Transplants founder Anthony Bartlett (p. 66). “They’re not used to someone they can’t put into a box.”

Instead, he suggests, ask whether a newcomer would like to join your next barbecue, dinner party, or trivia night.

“When the transplant experiences the city through the native,” Bartlett says, “it makes a huge difference.”

Cover artist Graham Hutchings—whose complete illustration of downtown can be seen on page 64—has created illustrations for the likes of Popular Mechanics, Maxim, and CNN.

@stlmag @stlmag @stlouismag

stlmag.com November 2019

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10 SLIFF HIGHLIGHTS p.20 RO N AU ST I N P. 2 2

GATEWAY

MAKING THE GRADE TOPIC

A

The Tomorrow Builders look to even the playing field for early childhood education.

BY TIM WOODCOCK

EVEN IN THE first days of school, Albert

Sanders Jr. says, he can often tell which children have been in a classroom before: Is this child able to listen to a book for five minutes? Can she tell the difference between letters and numbers?

Photography by Izaiah Johnson

2:08 PM

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November 2019 stlmag.com

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G AT E WAY

TOPIC A

BY THE NUMBERS

CARE CONCERNS

A S TAT I S T I C A L LO O K AT E A R LY C H I L D H O O D E D UC AT I O N

7%

Maximum percentage of a family’s income that affordable care should cost, according to federal guidelines

$8,318 Sanders, a St. Louis Public varies widely. “Only 19 percent of Schools veteran and a 2019 Mischildren who are eligible for subsouri Regional Teacher of the sidies have access to a slot at a The More Year, is also one member of the provider that has met requireYou Know Tomorrow Builders Fellowship, ments beyond licensing,” notes Visit bit.ly/playbooka group of educators tasked by the group’s report. Though there download to see think tank WEPOWER with idenare, strictly speaking, enough WEPOWER’s playbook, released mid-November. tifying ways to address disparislots, there’s a minimal guaranties in early childhood education. tee of program quality, with staff This summer, the fellows released qualifications varying greatly. Misa report, “The First Step to Equity,” that will be souri is one of a few states without a standardized followed by a more solutions-oriented “Comaccreditation system to help guide education munity Playbook” this month. decisions for caregivers, who often rely on word “A lot of us believe that the early childhood of mouth and online reviews instead. education system in the region is broken,” says The Tomorrow Builders have examined other Kate Booher, a group member who worked in cities’ approaches to early childhood education, classrooms for a decade and is now earning a visiting such places as Detroit (which offers such Ph.D. at Saint Louis University. “The youngresources as the Detroit Parents Network) and est children are bearing the burden of that and Tulsa (where the fellows learned about one of carrying that into adulthood.” She points to the nation’s first attempts to make pre-K edustudies showing a correlation between lack of cation universal, resulting in academic gains). early childhood education and, years later, the Booher knows that perfect equality of opporlikelihood of a young adult’s dropping out of tunity isn’t realistic, but the Tomorrow Builders high school or being caught in the legal system. hope to design a system in which neither race Caregiver income and neighborhood can affect nor ZIP code plays a deciding role in the chances whether children are enrolled in a school or dayof the young. Says Booher: “We need to make care or cared for under more informal arrangethe system work for all kids.” ments with family or friends. There are also long waiting lists for the best programs, and quality

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Average annual marketrate cost of early childhood education services in St. Louis

$16,000

Average annual cost for average childcare for two children in Missouri (more than 98 percent of a full-time minimum wage worker’s salary)

5%

Percentage of early childhood education centers and homes in St. Louis that are accredited

$10.72

Median hourly wage for childcare workers, often resulting in high turnover

70%

Percentage that children who receive high-quality early education are less likely to be arrested for a violent crime than those who do not.

SOURCES: WETHEPOWERSTL. ORG; “THE FIRST STEP TO EQUITY” REPORT

Photography by Izaiah Johnson

10/3/19 11:43 AM

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G AT E WAY VA R I E T Y

BY MELISSA MEINZER

Pick a Flick

10 great options at the St. Louis International Film Festival ST. LOUIS CINEPHILES are spoiled for choice, but there’s no denying that Novem-

WAVES

ber is the most wonderful time of the year. The 28th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival, November 7–17, comes to screens citywide. With close to 400 films on offer, it’s a lot to navigate. Cinema St. Louis artistic director Chris Clark offers a few top picks.

The third effort from Trey Edward Shults shows that the talents he displayed in Krisha and It Comes at Night were no flukes. This visually arresting and nuanced portrait of a gifted young man losing it all but finding some other version of it features St. Louis’ own Sterling K. Brown, who will attend the screening.

MARRIAGE STORY

THE REPORT

THE TWO POPES

Writer/director Noah Baumbach’s comedy/drama starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver follows a couple’s brutal divorce as they try to navigate with compassion and surprise themselves with the depths they find themselves pushed into. “Part one of our Adam Driver double feature,” Clark says.

Driver stars as a staffer for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein who’s charged with investigating a CIA program created in response to the events of September 11, 2001.

His unsavory discoveries include alleged lies, destruction of evidence, and skirting of the law by the nation’s top intelligence agency.

This true life–inspired palace intrigue tale set in the Vatican and stars Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI. He wrestles with secrets, guilt, and power in confrontation with his critic and successor, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), to determine the spiritual future of the world’s 1 billion Catholics.

THE APOLLO

JUST MERCY

A HIDDEN LIFE

Harlem’s Apollo Theater has been an iconic showcase for African-American artists for nine decades. This documentary explores the history of the institution and its role in New York and the world while following the first staging of Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ bestselling letter to his son on Blackness in America.

Michael B. Jordan stars alongside Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx as young attorney Bryan Stevenson. The film follows Stevenson, who turns down cushy big-law jobs after Harvard and heads for Alabama to defend the falsely condemned in a system full of red tape and false starts.

Be among the first to see Terrence Malick’s latest film, based on a true story. An Austrian peasant stands tall against conscription by Hitler’s Third Reich, knowing that his rebellion may cost him his life and leave his cherished wife and daughters all alone.

The giant Pacific octopus weighs about 70 pounds and is insanely intelligent, able to solve complex puzzles. Some are sociable, laying a tentacle on your hand in greeting; others are reclusive. They can change color for camo...or to flirt.

THE JOURNEY STARTS in the Grand Clock tank (a working replica of the

tower clock, filled with 800 discus fish). The Mississippi Confluence reveals creatures usually lurking in the muddy depths. The first touch tank holds Garra rufa. Then you’ll see river monsters, mischievous river otters, sea cucumbers that eject their guts to fool predators, and STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN CLEMENCY decorator spider crabs that stick oddments ondoes their camo, An unlikely friendship arises between a drunken dermaHow the shells work of aas prison warden affect daily life? tologist (Billy Crystal) and aShark failed standup comicand (Ben The Deep, Alfre Woodard’s Williams starts to fray after a all before reaching Canyon a live Bernadine coral exhibit.

Schwartz) after the latter admits defeat and moves back botched execution, one of many she’s overseen. PreparGeneral curator Aaron Sprowl introductions. in with his parents in Long Island after strikingmade out in L.A. ing for the next state-sanctioning killing, she’s plagued The two push each other to face their greatest regrets.

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by the scars of her life’s work.

KINGS OF BEER

SLIFF alum and awardee Sean Mullin takes us behind the scenes of another hometown hero: Budweiser. Brewing the world’s most iconic American lager is characterized by intense competition and exacting standards. It’s considered among the most difficult asks of brewmasters.

Photography courtesy of SLIFF

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G AT E WAY

INSIDE INFO

BY JEANNETTE COOPERMAN

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE? At 15 or 16, I had a high school philosophy class where I read Richard Wright’s Black Boy and Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. I liked Victor Frankl; I could easily relate. But Black Boy was mysterious to me. I was used to being able to read a book and figure out what the plot was.

Black Boy felt intimate and familiar but also very challenging. I told the instructor, “It feels like it’s speaking to me, but I don’t feel like I understand it.” She said, “If you just keep re-reading it, you will start to understand his patterns.” That was one of the things that gave me the confidence to pursue writing.

YOU’RE NOW TEACHING AS WELL AS WRITING? In Washington University’s col-

Making Avery

Ron Austin’s new book shows a North St. Louis full of warmth, humor, and steely resolve.

In Avery Colt Is a Snake, a Thief, a Liar, Ron Austin’s descriptions are so alive, you have to play the parlor game of sifting writer from subject, teasing out the process. His began years ago, while Austin was working in communications and writing when he could. He received a 2016 Regional Arts Commission fellowship. In 2017, his as-yet-unpublished manuscript won the Nilsen Prize. He fought back tears, not sure his colleagues would understand how important this was. Not the prizes or publication (the book came out October 1) but instead how he was “genuinely creating something to connect to another person.”

SO, HOW MUCH OF AVERY COLT IS YOU? One

time, I left my family home, came back, and found a baby possum underneath my desk. Well, that’s curious. There must have been a pregnant possum in the attic. Years later, I heard someone talk about finding a possum in the attic, and somebody asked what he did, and he said, “Well, I shot it.” And I thought,

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That’s something my grandfather might do. So that was the leaping-off point to understand certain personality types and build relatable situations. I’m building these situations and dropping people into them to see how it plays out.

lege writing program. Once I won this book prize, I thought I should probably take another run at academia. Now I’m excited to see how people react to the book, but there’s also a weird effect where the book is its own thing. I want it to go out and exist in the world, grow its own arms and legs and voice, and have the effect it has on readers without my hand on it.

DID YOU HAVE AN AGENDA FOR THE BOOK WHEN YOU STARTED? I have a pretty

good idea of why I wrote it. St. Louis is an interesting city in the way that it’s divided and why. Folks are going to have a certain idea of a certain part of town and the folks who come from that part of town. People would say, “Where did you grow up?” I’d say, North Grand, and they’d tell me I didn’t. Some folks would really dig in. They would question it: “What street? What high school?”

I guess they must have had a certain image of a person who comes from a certain part of town, and I didn’t match, so they would have real, discernible shock…

When you are reading, there’s a certain amount of kindness in that act. If Avery Colt gives someone some kind of catharsis or courage to move forward, that is my goal. My goal is to present hope.

Photography by August Jennewein

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TOP 10 EVENTS p.28 B I G M U D DY DA N C E F E S T p.30 NOW HEAR THIS p.31

RHYTHM

PRELUDE

TWO FOR THE ROAD Andy Cohen returns home with pal Anderson Cooper for an evening of banter.

BY SAMANTHA STEVENSON

Photography by Glenn Kulbako

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RHYTHM PRELUDE

HE SAID/ HE SAID

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen met when a mutual friend tried to set them up on a blind date. The date never took place, but the friendship that later developed has lasted more than 25 years. In separate interviews, SLM asked about their famous bond.

T

HERE’S NOT MUCH to be found online

about AC2: Deeper Talks & More Shallow Tales, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen’s traveling interactive show. That’s intentional, Cooper says, because the pair change up the event’s material from city to city. This month, the two visit the Stifel Theatre. What they’ll discuss just might have happened the night before.

“That’s part of the fun of it,” Cooper says.

“The show we’re doing in St. Louis is completely different than the show we did there [in 2016]. We change it based on things that have happened since, things that are happening now.”

The act is supposed to feel as if you’re out having drinks with the two TV personalities and— perhaps after a few—they can’t help divulging “stories from their careers and the weird things that happen to us,” Cooper says.

A show of friendly banter might seem like a departure for Cooper, who’s better known for reporting on presidents and natural disasters.

“It’s nice to be able to show different sides of yourself,” he says.

Lightheartedness notwithstanding, the special’s Deeper Talks title mostly comes from Cooper, says Cohen: “Anderson usually gets a little more deep and emotional than I do; then I handle the shallow stuff.”

“I’m deep, and Andy is the shallow one,” Cooper agrees. Then he turns serious: “We don’t want it to be a night of politics. We want it to be natural and fun for everybody. It’s aimed at telling funny stories and true stories.”

The true stories won’t always be funny, though: Cooper may talk, for example, about the recent death of his mother, fashion icon Gloria Vanderbilt, as well as the lessons he’s learned as a journalist. “I touch on grief and survival,” he says. “That’s the deep part. We don’t talk about emotions much in society. People especially don’t talk about grief and loss.”

For a St. Louis audience, unbashful St. Louis native Cohen promises to throw in “local stuff and stories.” Because his family and friends will be in attendance, he says, “I may try to censor myself a little—and Anderson will go out of his way to embarrass me a little more.”

Cooper rolls his eyes. “First of all, the idea that Andy’s going to censor himself is ridiculous,” he says. “He has been playing practical jokes and tormenting his parents from the time he was a little kid. The idea that he’s suddenly going to change is absolutely absurd. I would definitely encourage him onstage to spill all the tea on his family and growing up in St. Louis.”

FYI AC2: An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen comes to the Stifel Theatre on November 1. For details, visit stifeltheatre.com.

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How would you sum up your friendship?

Cohen: People think we seem like such opposites, but we have more in common than I think people realize. Even though he’s in the news and I’m in entertainment and pop culture, we’re both on TV every night.

We both love to travel.

We have similar senses of humor. I just like to try to make him giggle.

Cooper: We’re very different in most things.

He’s the most outgoing and optimistic person I know—the happiest person I know. It’s an interesting chemistry that we have and an interesting mix of personalities.

With such busy schedules, how do you keep in touch?

Cohen: We text constantly and talk on the phone a lot.

Cooper: It’s nice to have someone who gets it and can advise you or can commiserate with you or laugh with you.

What are your roles in the friendship?

Cohen: I am in charge of all of the fun, and he’s in charge of the logistics.

I’m the social director, and he goes along with me.

Cooper: He’s like Tigger, and I’m like Eeyore. He’s bouncing around and having fun. I’m much more introverted and skeptical than he is.

Photography by Glenn Kulbako

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Saturday, November 16, 2019 Central Library / 1301 Olive Street 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Attire: Colorful Cocktail Chic Complimentary Valet Lyft event code: LIBRARYGALASTL

Tickets at slpl.org / 314.539.0359 Proceeds from Stranger Than Fiction benefit Born to Read, St. Louis Public Library’s early childhood literacy initiative

November 2019 stlmag.com

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RHYTHM

AGENDA

Nov

4

10 THINGS TO DO

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

1

Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi gives the keynote for this year’s St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, boasting a lineup of more than 35 authors on everything from religion to recipes. November 3–15.

Staenberg Family Complex, jccstl.com.

2

Known for such singles as “Closer” and “Roses,” The Chainsmokers have collaborated with music’s biggest names and become the highestpaid DJs in the world.

On tour, they're joined by 5 Seconds of Summer and Lennon Stella.

November 8. Enterprise Center, enter prisecenter.com.

3

Long before Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga earned Oscar noms for A Star Is Born, Kris Kristofferson won a Golden Globe for his starring role in the 1976 drama.

The Grammy winner is the real deal, playing alongside Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson in supergroup The Highwaymen and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. November 20. River City Casino, rivercity.com.

5

Legendary film composer John Williams joins the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for a special concert. With

Nick Offerman, best known as Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, is an author and woodworker in addition to actor and comic.

During his All Rise tour, expect a mix of thoughtful standup and folk-style songs. November 7. Stifel Theatre, stifeltheatre.com.

51 Oscar nominations, Williams’ music is nearly as well known as the films: Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Superman, and E.T. For movie and music fans, it’s sure to be an epic night. November 1.

Powell Hall, slso.org.

6

In its 35th year, the Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the beginning of the holiday season, with more than 130 units—floats, giant balloons, marching bands, and, of course, St. Nick—rolling east along Market Street.

November 28. Downtown St. Louis, christ masinstlouis.com.

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7

During the Flyover Comedy Festival, The Grove transforms into comedy central for three blissful days. The Ready Room, The Improv Shop, Bootleg at Atomic Cowboy, and Handlebar play host to standup, storytelling, sketch comedy, improv, and more.

November 7–9. Fly overcomedyfest.com.

9

Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus of Black Violin know how to pull some strings. The classically trained musicians blend classical music with hiphop, cutting across cultural barriers. Their latest album, Take the Stairs, is slated for release this month.

November 17. Touhill Performing Arts Center, touhill.org.

10

You might recognize Nate Bargatze from his Netflix special The Tennessee Kid or The Standups.

He’s also toured with Chris Rock, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and been named a comic to watch by the likes of Jim Gaff gan and Marc Maron. November 16.

The Pageant, thepageant.com.

8

Just in time for Halloween, The Rep’s premiere of Feeding Beatrice shares the tale of June and Lurie, who have a haunting, hungry houseguest. As Beatrice becomes more entwined in their lives, the two ask what it will take to get rid of their eerie guest. October 30–November 17.

Emerson Studio Theater, repstl.org.

Photography by Rustin McCann

10/7/19 9:58 AM

ANNIVERSARY CLUB Sign up for St. Louis Magazine’s Anniversary Club, and celebrate your special day with exclusive offers from l cal businesses!

SIGN UP NOW AT STLMAG.COM

November 2019 stlmag.com

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S T UQD&I O RHYTHM A

JUST DANCE

Four more moving performances

NEW MOVES

The inuagural Big Muddy Dance Fest brings all things dance together in Grand Center.

BY LAUREN WARNECKE

T

HIS MONTH, GRAND CENTER will be

teeming with dance. The inaugural Big Muddy Dance Fest, November 9 and 10, will fill five of the arts district’s spaces with a veritable feast of activities for all ages and levels.

Hosted by The Big Muddy Dance Company, the fest was originally intended to welcome new faces to the company’s studios and promote a new line of classes.

“This is an attempt to bring bodies into the studio, let people know this is a great space, and give them a sampling of our classes,” says executive director Erin Warner Prange.

But as Big Muddy partnered with other organizations, the two-day festival’s scope quickly grew to much more than an open house. “The reaction has just been astounding,” says Warner Prange. “It proves this is really needed in our community.”

Festivalgoers can tailor the experience to their interests, choosing from activities for both the FYI For more information, visit thebigmuddydanceco.org.

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pro and the beginner. There are career-building workshops and an opportunity for a joint audition for eight regional university dance programs.

Dance fans can step into the studio and experience a variety of classes, and there’ll be workshops and roundtables for industry professionals. The Marcelle will also host a dance-related expo with such businesses as 314 Pilates, Athletico Physical Therapy, The Dance Bag, and Dance St. Louis.

“A lot of the local dance companies and studios overlap because of the size of our city—it’s a very tight network of people, and that lends itself to a collaborative event like this,” says Warner Prange.

The festival culminates on Sunday evening with Big Muddy performing alongside other local companies at the Kranzberg Arts Center. The event also serves as the unofficial kickoff to the company’s ninth season.

“What we’re hoping to accomplish now,” says Warner Prange, “is to broaden the dance audience to a point where dance lovers who have attended shows will be willing to step out of their comfort

A Christmas Carol On the heels of the inaugural festival, Big Muddy artistic director Brian Enos premieres a contemporary version of the classic tale.

November 14 & 15.

Edison Theatre.

Wallstories In collaboration with German choreographer Nejla Yatkin, MADCO brings to life stories from behind Cold War politics.

November 8 & 9.

Touhill Performing Arts Center.

The Nutcracker Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, the timeless holiday classic returns to the stage with Saint Louis Ballet’s popular production.

November 29– December 1 & December 18–23.

Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker In her 2018 bestseller, Becoming, former first lady Michelle Obama recalled seeing a special performance of the Moscow Ballet with her daughter Sasha on stage, describing the ballet as “beautiful and otherworldly.”

November 20 & 21.

Fox Theatre.

Photography by Carly Vanderheyden

10/7/19 9:59 AM

COURAGE AND SACRIFICE HAVE A HISTORY.

Now Hear This W I L C O A N D S O N V O LT

Twenty-five years after Uncle Tupelo played its final concert, at Mississippi Nights, former bandmates Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar will take the stage in St. Louis with their respective bands, Wilco and Son Volt, within less than two weeks of each other. The former comes to the Fox on November 14, hot on the heels of the release of the band’s 11th studio album, Ode to Joy, and the latter plays The Pageant on November 23.

For years, Wilco and Tweedy have made St. Louis a stop on their tours.

Wilco’s front man played a sold-out solo show at The Pageant in February, not long after a live Q&A with fellow St. Louis native Jon Hamm to promote Tweedy’s memoir, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back). Wilco, which last took the stage here in 2017, boasts an impressive lineup of instrumentalists and collaborators who’ve always been able to masterfully translate their eclectic recorded output into the live setting.

Earlier this year, Son Volt released its latest album, Union. Longtime fans will no doubt hanker for songs dating back to the 1995 debut, Trace. Mixing and matching signature tracks with deeper-catalog cuts and a few covers, Son Volt excels at a tricky game: keeping the group’s longtime fans satisfied while releasing new music at a steady, if not prolific, clip.

Both shows are sure to be memorable—and to leave music fans wanting more from the bands’ latest albums.

Downtown St. Louis • Open daily: 10am–5pm Free admission • mohistory.org/SoldiersMemorial

—THOMAS CRONE

November 2019 stlmag.com

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October 20–January 12, 2020 Members see it free.

For ticket information, visit slam.org/DutchPainting Now on view, see outstanding examples of 17th-century Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. From landscapes and still lifes to portraiture and scenes of everyday life, the exhibition celebrates the magnificent Dutch Golden Age of art.

#DutchPainting

The exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and presented in St. Louis by the Betsy and Thomas Patterson Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Rachel Ruysch, Dutch, 1664–1750, Still Life with Flowers (detail), 1709. oil on canvas.

30 × 25 3/16 inches. Promised gift of Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo, in support of the Center for Netherlandish Art. Courtesy, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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MINGLE p.40

ELEMENTS

GIFT GUIDE

Give a Little

GIFTS

Stainless steel comb by Zeus, $15. Urban Matter.

Find memorable gifts by shopping local this holiday season.

BY ANA DATTILO

Beard and tattoo oil by Barrel Brands, $35.

Urban Matter.

The Bartender’s Knife, by W&P Design (with sharpening stone), $34.

Urban Matter.

Forest Park ceramic dish by Place Value, $24.

Union Studio.

Missouri-shaped wooden ornament

by Collin Garrity, $6. Union Studio.

Kikkerland Design compass flask, $16.

Urban Matter.

Lonesome Traveler tie, $62.

Urban Matter.

Stone Leather Goods notebook, $12. Union Studio.

Leather wallet, $56.

Urban Matter.

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

ELEMENTS_1119.indd 33

November 2019 stlmag.com

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ELEMENTS

GIFT GUIDE

6

1

1. Purple- and yellow-tinted crystals, $4.50. Bowood Farms.

2. Crystals: The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing, $14.99.

Bowood Farms. 3. Lunar Dew, by Hossmas, $45. Urban Matter.

4. Tattoo tarot cards, $17.99.

Urban Matter. 5. Necklace by Jacki Holland, $108. Union Studio.

6. Prosperity crystal grid set, $36.

Bowood Farms. 7. Medium and large crystals, $6. Bowood Farms.

8. GLO.BOWL concrete hand, $28. Urban Matter. 9. GLO. BOWL sage bundle, $24. Urban Matter. —A.D.

2

4

5

3

6

8 9

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7

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/7/19 10:00 AM

November 29– December 1 December 18–23 Glorious costumes, sets and dancing make this Nutcracker the one to see in Saint Louis.

A holiday tradition!

Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheons & Dinners (new!)

December 19-22

TICKETS

stlouisballet.org

314.516.4949 | touhill.org

OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 9th

PRESENTATIONS: 9:15am and 10:15am tours immediately following

RSVP ONLINE (preferred) newcityschool.org/openhouse

age 3 through 6th Grade 5209 Waterman Blvd St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 361-6411 www.newcityschool.org

November 2019 stlmag.com Metropolitan Medicine Ad Fall 2019.indd 1 ELEMENTS_1119.indd 35

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9/25/19 4:17 PM 10/3/19 3:43 PM

ELEMENTS

GIFT GUIDE

1

2

3 1. Ceramic flower frog, $29. Bowood Farms. 2. Teresa Joy Hitchcock trinket plates, $14–$32. Urban Matter. 3. The Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery, $14.99.Bowood Farms.

4. Floral clippers from The Floral Society, $72. Bowood Farms. 5. Raw silk ringer by Argaman Defiance, $35. Union Studio.

6. Three-inch succulent, $8. Bowood Farms. 7. Colorway cachepot in marigold, $10. Bowood Farms. 8. White mister, $32. Bowood Farms. 9. Indoor grow frame, $160. Bowood Farms. 10. Small Tegan cachepot in gold, $8. Bowood Farms. 11. Two-inch terrarium plant, $4.50. Bowood Farms. —A.D.

4

11 5 6

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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/3/19 3:43 PM

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November 2019 stlmag.com

ELEMENTS_1119.indd 37

37 10/3/19 3:43 PM

Merry and Bright

ELEMENTS_1119.indd 38

10/3/19 3:43 PM

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10/3/19 3:43 PM

ELEMENTS MINGLE

Courtney Bryant, Katherine Hessel Venus Martz, Sean Hogan, Sara Savat

Laura Hettiger, John Parker

Chester Lampkin, Kent Ehrhardt, Abby Llorico

Tom Schaefer, Tina Marie

Ben Scott, Margie Stein, Bernie Federko, Chris Betlach, Jill Hartsfield

Pam Weston, Ted Savage Nicole Jenkins, Peter George, Mary Kennedy, Diane Fredericks

Justin Hager, Hope Cometa

SPOTLIGHT

Celebrity Waiters Night ON AUGUST 22, Saint Louis Crisis Nursery hosted Celebrity Waiters

Simone Esters, Miss Missouri 2019

Night at West County Center. The event, staffed by local celebrities, featured music, a balloon artist, and a raffle and silent auction. Children who attended were encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroes, princesses, or cartoon characters. Proceeds will benefit the organization’s child abuse prevention programs.

Kookin’ for Kids

DiAnne Mueller CEO, Saint Louis Crisis Nursery “This is a wonderful example of the community coming together to help prevent child abuse.”

Ron Woods, Michaela Meeks

THE ST. VINCENT HOME for Chil-

dren’s 28th annual Kookin’ for Kids, with the theme of “Enchante d Forest,” was held at The Ritz-Carlton on August 4. St. Vincent’s largest fundraiser of the year, the event allowed guests to mingle as they bid in an auction and enjoyed signature cocktails and appetizers from 25 St. Louis–area restaurants.

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Wes Harper, Justin Hill, Ramon Cuffie, Jesse Muñoz

Photography by Diane Anderson

10/2/19 2:28 PM

1119SLM

MINGLE_1119.indd 41 1 1119SLM_unveiled.indd

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9/24/19 2:31 PM

Ground Control: A Journey Through Chess and Space explores space-themed chess sets such as Star Wars and Star Trek along with significant chess events from the year 1969, in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Free Opening Reception November 7, 2019: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

RSVP and learn more at worldchesshof.org #ChessAndSpace @WorldChessHOF   

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M O U N TA I N S A N D F E AT H E R S P. 4 6 U P, U P A N D A WA Y P. 5 0

ANGLES

Q&A

JERALD BARNES The Negotiator

BY JEANNETTE COOPERMAN

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

ANGLES_1119.indd 43

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ANGLES Q&A

A

FTER ALMOST 19 years as a hostage negotiator for the St. Louis

Metropolitan Police Department, Jerald Barnes moves through everyday life communicating far more adroitly than the rest of us. He’s ended life-threatening standoffs; taught Ivy League MBA students how to negotiate a salary or buy a company; practiced his skills on car lots, his buddies, and his sons. He’s also worked in intelligence, investigated fraud, protected dignitaries (including Tiger Woods, Janet Reno, Morris Dees, and the pope), and studied international law in The Netherlands.

While there, he visited the International Criminal Court and watched the trial of Slobodan Milošević. “He blamed the atrocities on his generals,” Barnes says with disgust. “I sat there thinking of questions I wished I could ask him.”

You were so eager to be a police offi er that you applied to departments in Chicago, Miami, and St. Louis—and your friends pranked you? They’d call and say it was Personnel. Then, on April 1, somebody called saying they were from HR in St. Louis.

I said, “Hey, Mike, quit playing around” and hung up. The third time, the guy said, “This is the last time I’m going to call you” and gave me his phone number—which had a 314 area code. “We have an opening at the academy,” he said. “Can you report on April 4?”

Where’d you learn to communicate so effectively? Being on the streets in Chicago, hangin’. I was not an angel. I saw some things I shouldn’t have seen. As a kid, you learn how to adapt to a situation; you’re like a chameleon. You try not to let anything get you excited or afraid or upset.

You’re always thinking ahead: What is this person going to do or say next?

Are you just naturally cool under stress?

Every hostage negotiation I have done, I have been scared out of my wits. It’s not only that you want to save people. A successful situation is when you also get the hostage-taker out, with a peaceful resolution. I was always afraid that I was going to say the wrong thing.

You trained at Quantico, with the FBI. What was that like? They made everything come together. There’s a place called Hogan’s Alley, a makeshift town with a working pharmacy, diner, motel… At 2 a.m., we get a knock on our door: “You have a hostage

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“WHILE YOU ARE INVOLVED, YOU DON’T REALLY REALIZE HOW INTENSE IT IS.”

situation over in the motel.” You don’t have all the information; you’re getting it piecemeal. They make it real.

Where are you usually positioned in that kind of situation? Sometimes we are taking over somebody’s house or apartment; other times we’re in a command van or in the street on a bullhorn. Three people in the van, usually, and people outside with headsets listening to the conversation, and the commander listening to see if we need to change negotiators. The primary negotiator does all the talking, and there’s a secondary negotiator who’s listening for the inflection of the voice, patterns, if the person gets upset or depressed at certain questions. We slide notes back and forth.

Doesn’t the pressure of those marathons burn you out? While you are involved, you don’t really realize how intense it is. You’re relying on your training, paying attention to how the conversation is flowing and to the information you’re getting from intelligence. And when you successfully talk somebody out of something—I could never sleep afterward. We’d have something at least once a month, and always at ungodly hours. I kept a bag packed with clean underwear, toothbrush, Aleve.

When you’re teaching negotiation skills to, say, MBA students, what don’t they understand? How to build a rapport. We are so busy trying to say what we want to say instead of being able to listen. And we don’t talk to each other; we’d rather send a text.

In my opinion, we’re on a downward spiral.

What mistakes do negotiators make? Not allowing a person to have their say. A lot of guys are in such a hurry to ask people to surrender. “You gotta come out”—they will just harp on that. And it’s not going to work. You have to let them vent and build a rapport before you can influence their behavior.

At stlmag.com: The toughest hostage crises he’s negotiated, and how he practices.

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/3/19 3:45 PM

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10/3/19 3:45 PM

ANGLES NOTEBOOK

BY JEANNETTE COOPERMAN

EFORE CLASS, a little boy rolls into a safe burrito, his yoga mat the tortilla. So Melissa Dierker begins with some “strong shapes,” which she calls superhero shapes, and grounded stances, and stomping. When it’s time for the tree position, she tells the class, “You can play around with your branches if you want,” waving her arms. “Or you can be a cutdown tree,” she adds with a twinkle, glancing at a little girl who’s lying on her back.

“She’s not feeling as rooted today.”

Some of these kids just like yoga. Others are a little anxious, scarred by past hurts, reliving a fire or flood, working through grief, figuring out identity. In some cases, persistent fear or profound crisis has taught their brains to expect danger at all times. The hypervigilance is exhausting, and it can lead to anger, withdrawal, or shutdown.

Dierker’s a social worker; she never expected to be running her own yoga studio. But studies were piling up that show trauma-informed yoga as a way to interrupt post-traumatic stress disorder, smooth frayed nerves, slow impulsivity, extinguish conditioned fear responses. She called the traditional poses “shapes” for her younger students, added art and play, and kept the classes small, because “if you crowd the class, they will not adequately be seen.” Soon she had a waiting list, so she opened her own studio, Complete Harmony, in Maplewood.

“What are we going to do next?” a little girl asks.

“Feathers,” Dierker says, handing out tall wavery peacock plumes for her students to balance wherever they like. One tries a feather on her nose; another tilts her head back and rests one on her forehead. The formal name of this balancing act is Mountains and Feathers, and what the kids are learning is drishti, a gazing technique that seeks a still point, concentrates on what is unmoving. In Sanskrit, the word can also mean wisdom.

“I have another question for the world,” the little girl blurts. “What if it breaks?”

B

MOUNTAINS AND FEATHERS With trauma-informed yoga, children learn to findrefuge within themselves.

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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/3/19 3:45 PM

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ANGLES NOTEBOOK

BY JEANNETTE COOPERMAN

Once Dierker reassures her, she tries a feather on her finger.

“It’s slipping through me!” she exclaims. “I can’t balance it!” A few seconds more, and she quiets.

The feather stays upright.

Another student sticks her feather between her toes and giggles: “I cheated.”

“There’s no such thing in yoga as cheating,” Dierker promises.

She gathers the kids’ energy, shifts them into a new series of movements. “We need a word for today,” she tells them.

“I want…um…I want…um…I want courage,” a child says.

“OK, courage is our word.”

They rub their hands together as they say it, feeling the friction’s warmth. The child nods: “I need to do lots of courage.”

Nothing’s an order here; all is invitation. In the absence of pushback, even kids who start out resisting a new activity soon join in. “If you’re not using inclusive language or invitational language, you’ve taken away choice,” Dierker explains, “and individuals who’ve experienced a lot of trauma, their choice has already been taken away.”

Some have even lost connection to their bodies, forgotten or blocked what pain feels like. Dierker reminds her students during every class, “If we are doing something and it hurts, just stop. Do you remember what it feels like when it hurts? If it takes your breath away, that’s probably an indication that it hurts.”

What if the pain’s emotional? They don’t run away. They breathe into it. And it becomes a lot less scary.

“For a long, long time, we were told our behaviors and emotions were what we are,” remarks Grace Pettit, an apprentice who spent a decade in the corporate world as a fine-art communication strategist. “In reality, they’re just passing thoughts. For kids to learn that early provides a wider picture for them, makes it easier for them to show up in the world.”

The two women gather up pompoms and scarves. “We use a lot of props,” says Dierker. “A woman came in with an 18-month-old and said, ‘This is not what I thought yoga was.’ I said, ‘Yoga is union; it’s about breath, movement, community, social justice, mindfulness.’ We try to introduce as many of those elements as possible without making it overwhelming. And we need to make it age-appropriate. I can’t expect an 18-month-old to come in and do yoga poses, but I want him to explore his world.”

She’ll never forget a 7-year-old who’d lost a parent. “We gave her paper to create her own movement cards, and all four shapes revolved around death. When I learned the details of her parent’s death, the cards made a million times more sense. Sometimes we don’t have words to name what we

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“WE WERE TOLD OUR BEHAVIORS AND EMOTIONS WERE WHAT WE ARE. IN REALITY, THEY’RE JUST PASSING THOUGHTS.” are feeling, but we can use movement.”

Dierker often has students guess how somebody feels just by listening to the person’s breathing: “A lot of people don’t think about their breath when they think about emotion. They start to ID signals. And if they can identify their feelings earlier, maybe at school when the stress is skyrocketing,” they can stop them from spiraling out of control.

Kids leave with a repertoire of “ways to calm down, ways to make you brave enough to go talk to somebody,” Dierker says. “Superhero shapes make you feel brave; being grounded makes you feel powerful.” It gives you courage.

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/3/19 3:45 PM

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ANGLES SNAPSHOT 1909 S T. LO U I S

Up, Up, and Away In his obit, Morris Heimann (far right) was described as a “pioneer balloonist.” He thought he loved fast cars, till he witnessed a balloon ascension at the World’s Fair; he immediately had one made in New York, naming it after Melba, his daughter. Heimann eventually converted part of his fixtu es business into a hot-air balloon and airship factory, advertising balloons at his Washington Avenue showroom. He often took Melba on long trips by air and even tried to go grocery shopping in the balloon. “I think if balloonists would spend some of their money with the farmers, there wouldn’t be so much opposition to the sport out in the country,” he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. His most famous flight came in 1909, when he and fellow aeronaut John Berry were unexpectedly caught in a storm. After nearly an hour, Berry cut ropes, converting the balloon into a parachute. They plunged, then gently bobbed down, landing in Rock Hill, where they were assisted by—wait for it— a group of farmers. Heimann, in his enthusiasm to thank them, bumbled from the basket, tripped, and sustained his only injury of that death-defying trip: a sprained ankle. —STEFENE RUSSELL 50

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Photography courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society

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INDO p.54 S O D A F O U N TA I N AT U N I O N S TAT I O N p.56 I L PA L AT O p.58

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THE DISH

Bread Winner Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

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There are myriad uses for stale bread—croutons, crostini, Thanksgiving stuffing—but none is better than panzanella, the beloved Florentine bread salad that pairs chunks of dried bread with juicy summertime vegetables and a healthy dose of regenerative vinaigrette. Boundary at The Cheshire loosely interprets the classic in entrée fashion, beginning with a smear of basil pesto and a slab of herb-buttered focaccia made downstairs at sister restaurant Basso. Atop a fillet of simply seasoned wood-grilled Scottish salmon is a salad of marinated English cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes from Tony’s Family Farms, shards of red onion, and a scattering of microbasil.

The marinade is an homage to chef Ryan Cooper’s mother’s recipe: salt, pepper, extra-virgin olive oil, and (the secret ingredient) an aged Cabernet wine vinegar, richer and less acidic than Mom’s trusty cider vinegar. “It sounds funny,” Cooper says, “but with all the liquids and the salmon flavors seeping down into the focaccia, the bread might just be the best part of the dish.” —GEORGE MAHE November 2019 stlmag.com

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MAIN COURSE

indo-pendent

A heretofore-unseen mix of Thai and Japanese, has St. Louis fishing for superlatives.

BY DAVE LOWRY

with a blowtorch, polishing it for a sushi course. Servers hustle out with a platter of fried madai bream, golden-skinned and glowing with a sauce of mango and sweet chilies. ter at indo for diners, The menu’s construction involves a fortunate few of shareable dishes. Some are proper appetizers. Puffy, crunchy pork rinds whom perch on the other side to enjoy are crackly magic with the addition of a dip with tom yum ingredients: chili the show. He’s also branching out with powder, kaffir lime, lemongrass. The some Thai specialties garlicky chili sauce splashed on whole and dishes based on prawns is probably the closest you’ll his family’s cooking. get in St. Louis to the famous MalayYou won’t get lonely sian chili crab. dining here; the place The Peranakan, a Chinese minority is packed nightly. in Southeast Asia, brought laksa stew With about 40 seats to Thailand. indo’s version is exemcrammed into the plary, exploding with flavor. The broth dimensions of a large has hints of turmeric, coriander, and living room, you can shrimp paste; the bowl’s overloaded with snag a bite from your crisp fried salmon, salmon roe, mussels, neighbor’s table with and prawns. Green beans, lightly canminimal effort. Brick died with salty, fragrant XO sauce, are walls amplify the plated on a beautiful rough-glazed dish F YOU HAVEN’T dined at indo noise. In the kitchen, someone’s spooning smeared with a generous spackling of before, you might be met with a shimmery orange blob of salmon eggs black garlic paste. a dilemma. Granted, it’s a wel- onto a bowl of rice mixed with chunks The short rib curry should be mandacomed culinary conundrum. tory. The broth alone, a russet cream, of Dungeness crab and sweet crab fat.

But more on that in a moment.

Another burnishes slices of salmon belly silky with coconut milk, is seductive, parOpened in midsummer, indo is the solo ticularly with the side of labne— indo effort of Nick Bognar. He also runs things basically yogurt cheese—that 1641-D Tower Grove at West County’s Nippon Tei, but he’s got balances the curry’s over314-899-9333 indo-stl.com indo aimed in a different direction. Kind of. whelmingly rich suppleness.

Lunch Tue–Sat, Bognar and his sushi have harvested The braised ribs practically dinner Tue–Sun. more local media adulation than El Monmelt, tender and meaty. A stero and toasted ravioli combined. He scattering of fried shallots on continues performing behind the countop lends contrasting texture.

Every triangle of the moist, THE BOTTOM LINE A tantalizing combination of top-quality sushi/sashimi and Thai specialties chewy house-made roti bread Laarb: spicy lamb tartare, fried shallots, candied pine nuts, and herb salad with sesame rice crackers

I

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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

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served alongside will be used to, well, whatever the Thai equivalent of fare la scarpetta—swipe up the sauce—is.

Think of laarb as an exotic tasty take on tartare. indo’s laarb tastes like the classic Isan style from Laos. Chopped lamb is molded into a loaf, redolent of fish sauce, lime, and enough prickly spices to pack a kick. Here, the laarb manages to be both refreshing and substantial.

Then there’s the sushi, and herein lies a problem. Not that it’s bad. It’s absolutely splendid, easily among the best in the Midwest. Your palate, though, is entirely centered on these spectacular, wildly flavorful Thai dishes. And suddenly you’ve got to reset: Is there any cuisine more opposite Thai than sushi and sashimi?

Delicate and nuanced, with subtle flavors and textures, the sushi presents a daunting task. The temptation is to limit yourself to a particular cuisine on any one visit. If so, on your Sushi Night at indo, here’s what to expect: Average sushi is just that, and it’s easily available. Excellent sushi is exceedingly rare, and indo’s is a big step above that. Ingredients rarely seen in local sushi places show up here, such as otoro, luxuriously fatty tuna belly.

One night, striped jack arrived. The tiny fillet was perfectly partially split to accentuate the buttery softness, the fish tasting as if it was aged just a bit to bring out the nearly sweet fat.

Madai, young sea bream, is scalded, a technique that tightens the fish’s skin and renders it delectable. This method, along with searing and marinating, demonstrates the talent here. (That sushi toppings are entirely “raw fish” is an absurd misconception.) Notice that there’s no soy sauce; Bognar uses a beautiful concentrated nikkiri sauce instead. Nor are there any fake wasabi blobs; the fresh root is ground here for sashimi, and the difference is astounding.

There are wines, cocktails, whiskey, some premium sake. They’re fun but unnecessary. Focus on that spectacular menu of Thai delights—or masterfully presented sushi.

It’s a tough call.

A PREVIEW OF THE DAY ’S TOP STORIE S

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FIRST BITE

Fountain of Youth

Nostalgic treats and Insta-worthy options converge at Union Station.

MEMORY LANE

A FOND LOOK B A C K AT F L A C O ’ S TA C O S

Flaco’s was the first place where many St. Louisans encountered fish tacos, after Dean and Pam Flacco decided in the early 1990s to bring a taste of Baja California to a little spot at 3852 Lindell, on the edge of Saint Louis University’s campus.

Not served on the more familiar crisp-fried shells, it was also the first soft taco for many St. Louisans.

A CENTURY AGO, when Prohibition put the kibosh

on bars, the drugstore soda fountain became the dispensary of choice for less potent tonics, elixirs, and carbonations. They remained popular well into the 1960s, when mass production of canned soda took the fizz out of the proverbial phosphate. Kept alive by the likes of Happy Days and American Grafitti, the soda fountain is ingrained in Americana, so it’s fitting that the sprawling Soda Fountain at Union Station is part of the complex’s recent rebirth, which includes restaurants, a splashy aquarium, and a 20-story Ferris wheel.

The tagline —“Ice Cream, Candy, Burgers, Booze”— checks off all the major food groups in a whimsical way. Led by an American cheese–topped griddle burger, the diner–meets–corner bar menu pairs classics (tuna melt, egg salad) with familiar acronyms (BLT, PBJ). A small bar offers new and old “remedies,” including boozy shakes and boozeless

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A double cheeseburger, the Everything Nice “freak shake,” and a BLT

soda cocktails, but the crowd gathers at the grab-and-go ice cream counter, where modernday soda jerks turn out floats, malts, and oversized sundaes (made with hometown-made Clementine’s ice cream) in footed tulip dishes. The scene-stealers are the Freak Shakes, piled with cookies, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls—one even boasts a slice of Key lime pie. Enjoy it at a pastel booth or in the outdoor area overlooking the Fire & Light fountains. When you’re done, take home a memory from the old-time candy store, perhaps such forgotten mid–20th-century items as Necco Wafers, Chuckles, Black Jack gum, and Abba-Zaba bars.

This place is more fun than a pack of Fizzies. 201 S. 18th, 314-923-3939, sodafountain-stl.com.—G.M.

Battered pieces of justcooked cod were nestled in soft corn tortillas and crowned with thinly sliced cabbage and a creamy sauce seasoned with tomatillo. The Flaccos went even further with an immense burrito containing nearly a pound of fish, cabbage, and sauce wrapped in a flour tortilla. Oh, there were also grilled chicken and shredded beef fillings, as well as tostadas. Though the seasonings of the fillings and the tomatillo sauce were mild, a salsa bar was available, featuring a no-name option labeled only with a skull and crossbones.

A dramatic refurbishment later gave it a beachinspired theme, and the restaurant expanded with a downtown site in 1995.

Another location opened on McKelvey in 1998, but it was too much—the lunch crowd from Westport was good, but the locals wanted drivethru–style Mexican in the evening, said Pam. Within months, Flaco’s Tacos closed all of its locations.

Later, a “tribute restaurant,” Flaco’s Cocina, opened on Delmar, though it wasn’t the Flaccos’. Even now, folks still babble about the lost Flaco’s burritos and sigh over the sauce. —ANN LEMONS POLLACK

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/3/19 3:58 PM

PRESENTED BY

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SECOND HELPING

In Good Taste

Mike Del Pietro takes diners down a pleasantly unfamiliar path in Clayton.

BY HOLLY FANN

T

HE IMPRESSIVE COFFERED ceil-

ing, glowing with soft golden light, is the first thing you notice when entering Il Palato. White marble tables and understated velvet chairs exude the same coziness. The numerous pieces of artwork hanging in the dining room are equally soothing. The effect immediately puts you at ease.

Restaurateur Mike Del Pietro has a knack for creating such cozy environs, having already done so at Sugo’s, Babbo’s, Via Vino, Tavolo V, and Del Pietro’s.

But Il Palato is perhaps his most elegant offering to date.

The menu at Il Palato (Italian for “the palate”) is representative of the cooking styles of the southern regions of Italy.

Fish and seafood, pastas with vegetableor broth-based sauces, and vegetableforward offerings make up the bulk of semolina. The flour dehydrates dish with the perfect splash of Corn mascarpone the menu, but the use of meat as a flavor the outer layer of the gnocchi for brightness and acidity. It’s one component rather than the main focus 24 hours, creating the dough-like tortellini of the finest fish dishes currently exterior while keeping the cenoffered in St. Louis. is echoed in most of the dishes.

Pastas are offered in smaller primi or ter soft.

Seafood and pasta dominate entrée-appropriate secondi portions.

That technique might be unfamilthe menu, but a juicy pork chop served The gnocchi seems a bit suspect when iar, but much of the menu features with a gentle white bean purée and a first placed in front of you. The primistraightforward preparations. One of whole roasted game hen with panzanella size portion is presented as five plump the many charms of Il Palato is that the salad are both beautiful dishes, perfect balls of dough with the look food, while complex and comfor those seeking meatier options. plete, has a certain ease to it.

Crafted with the same level of finesse of Shanghai soup dumplings Take the whole grilled bran- as the rest of the menu, desserts at Il Palrather than the familiar striated texture. Resting on a bed zino. The fish is deboned and ato are not to be overlooked. The dense of sautéed greens, each dumpthen stuffed with fresh herbs and silky panna cotta, served with a ling holds a creamy filling cenand lemon slices. Grilled until peach compote and topped with a barely ter of the smoothest ricotta the skin is crisp and the meaty sweet crumble, is worth saving room for.

Il Palato with the perfume of lemon zest. 222 S. Bemiston white flesh is tender and fraIl Palato excels in elegance of décor, The gnocchi is mostly made 314-224-5331 grant with thyme, it’s served expert service, and bright and dynamic of ricotta cheese. It’s piped out ilpalatoclayton atop green beans with pan- cuisine—and it delivers it with a deftness .com and cut into individual dump- Lunch Mon–Fri, that makes it seem like the restaurant’s cetta, caramelized onions, lings, which are gently coated in dinner Mon–Sat and a vinaigrette that hits the been around for years.

THE BOTTOM LINE Southern Italian dishes are beautifully presented in an elegant space with gracious service.

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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/3/19 4:00 PM

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Hot Spots W H AT ’ S N E W A N D N O TA B L E THIS MONTH

3. Mac’s Local Eats  Chris “Mac” McKenzie moved his food window–only operation into more spacious, versatile surroundings inside Bluewood Brewing, where the signature four-patty Captain Burger can be paired with your choice from 14 taps.

1821 Cherokee, Marine Villa.

1. Soda Fountain at Union Station  The former Hard Rock Café rocks on as a dispensary of old-school sandwiches (including smashed burgers), ice cream concoctions (try a “Freak Shake”), and mid–20th-century candy.

201 S. 18th, Downtown West.

4. Oliva on the Hill St. Louis’ biggest weeknight secret hideaway, Wine Down Wednesdays, has expanded into lunch service. Veteran chef Lisa Slay’s culinary prowess makes this a must-try lunch spot, especially when the arbor-covered patio is open.

4915 Daggett, The Hill.

2. Taco Circus  The new sit-down location is a veritable big top compared to the old grab-and-go counter.

Expect Austin-style Tex-Mex tacos, burritos, platos, house-made horchata, robust drinks, and a tree-shaded patio that screams fiesta.

4949 Southwest, Southwest Garden.

5. Grace Chicken + Fish  Rick Lewis converted underused space at sister restaurant Grace Meat + Three into a weekends-only late-night window offering five fried protein options dressed and sauced in myriad ways. 4270 Manchester, The Grove.

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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts, courtesy of Taco Circus

10/3/19 4:02 PM

INS, OUTS & ALMOSTS AS OF AN EARLY-OCT. PRESS DATE

CLOSINGS

BaiKu Sushi Lounge 3407 Olive, Sept. 12 808 Maison 808 Geyer, Sept. 22 Piccione Pastry 6197 Delmar, Sept. 22 Café Coeur 10477 Old Olive, Sept. 29 Steve’s Hot Dogs 2131 Marconi, Sept. 30 Winslow’s Home 7213 Delmar, mid-Oct.

OPENINGS

Ember (Siam) 4121 Manchester, Sept. 13 Mac’s Local Eats 1821 Cherokee, Sept. 18 Taco Circus (Three Flags Tavern) 4940 Southwest, Sept. 18 Nudo House 6105 Delmar, Sept. 19 Kitchen 4AM (Hiro Asian Kitchen) 1405 Washington, Sept. 20 Soda Fountain at Union Station (Hard Rock Café) 201 S. 18th, Sept. 30

COMING SOON

Open Concept (Melt) 2712 Cherokee, Oct. 4 Grace Chicken + Fish 4270 Manchester, early Oct. Knockout BBQ 3150 S. Grand, mid-Oct. Britt’s Bakehouse 137 W. Jefferson, late Oct.

Hangar Kitchen & Bar (The Slider House) 9528 Manchester, late Oct. Egg @ Midtown (Michael’s Catering) 3100 Locust, Oct. Beffa’s Bar and Restaurant 2700 Olive, early Nov. The Train Shed Gastropub (Houlihan’s) 1820 Market (at Union Station), mid-Nov. Salt + Smoke (The Tavern Kitchen & Bar) 392 N. Euclid, late Nov. Café DaNang 7494 Ethel, Nov. Little Fox (The Purple Martin) 2800 Shenandoah, Nov. Original J’s Tex-Mex Barbecue (Fortel’s Pizza Den) 7359 Forsyth, Nov. Orzo Mediterranean Grill 11625 Olive, Nov.

LOOKING FOR HOME INSPIRATION? Visit stlmag.com/design for Design STL’s latest.

INTERIORS & ARCHITECTURE . REAL ESTATE

Winslow’s Table 7213 Delmar, Nov.

CENTRAL WEST END 28 Maryland Plaza Rear, St Louis, MO 63108 Mon-Thur: 10am–8:30pm | Fri-Sat: 9:30am–10pm closed sunday

1894 Cafe 201 S 18th, mid-Dec. Diego’s (Momos) 630 North & South, Dec.

SHOPPING . ART & DESIGN

Tempus 4370 Manchester, early 2020

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HOT SEAT

I decided I just wanted to eat better meat, so I started researching buying whole clean animals. The first animal I bought—a Red Wattle pig, in 2004—I split with 11 friends.

So that’s how Mac’s Local Buys got started? No, at first it was just me. Anytime I wanted some pork or beef, I emailed friends and asked who wanted in, charitably organizing those buys for six years.

Over that time, the buy list grew to more than 300 people, which meant buying a dozen animals at a time. We’d meet in a park and divvy it all up.

So that’s how Mac’s Local Buys got started? Kind of… It wasn’t until my IT job got outsourced to India—I was offered a job there and passed—that my wife encouraged me to incorporate and turn this into a true business.

How did you transition into Mac’s Local Eats? When people asked me my occupation, straight-faced I’d tell them I sold pork shoulders in dark alleys. Not true, of course, but after five years, I needed a roof. The guys at Tamm Avenue Bar approached me, offering me a kitchen and a retail space for a market.

King of Smash

Chris McKenzie may just have created the city’s best cheeseburger.

T

HE SIMPLE DESIRE to eat bet-

ter meat lured Chris “Mac” McKenzie away from an IT career and into the food biz, first as a premium beef and pork supplier at Mac’s Local Buys and now as the proprietor of Mac’s Local Eats, recently relocated to Bluewood Brewing (1821 Cherokee). His secret: All the beef cuts are used to make Mac’s signature ground beef blend, yielding beefy smashed burgers. —G.M.

How did you get your start in the restaurant business? My first job was at McDonald’s, which is kind of amusing, considering my nickname and what I’m doing now.

What other careers did you consider?

I started off designing punch presses and dies for my dad’s manufacturing plant but eventually got into technical support as a system admin. One day,

ONLINE Visit stlmag.com to learn why more restaurants don’t follow McKenzie’s whole-animal model.

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And that kitchen made what many claimed to be the best cheeseburger in town. What made the burgers so different? Every part of the cow—including all the good cuts but not the offal—goes into the ground beef blend. It’s easy to taste the difference. The dry-aged beef flavor smacks you in the face.

So why the decision to move? We outgrew the space. We never imagined it would be as successful as it became, so much so that we no longer were providing a positive experience. I’d buy people Busch beers to encourage them to stand in line, but it was still crowded, hot, and convoluted. It was time to move on.

How did the Bluewood opportunity come about? The owner cold-called me, said he loved the burgers, and asked if I’d be interested in making them down on Cherokee. I had no idea who he was, Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

10/3/19 4:03 PM

told him thanks for the compliment, but he had me at the space, which I remember from the Stable/Table days.

What do you tell devotees who miss the old location? All the problems we had there, we solved here: better flow, more kitchen space, more dining space, more parking, more beer. We re-created the market for our meats and locally made specialty items. Plus, we’re just off two highways, eight minutes from where we were.

Will you deliver? No, we don’t even take to-go orders over the phone. You have to stand in line to carry out. We tell guests not to roll our bags closed, so they don’t steam the fries, and the biodegradable boxes that we have for our burgers actually breathe, so they don’t get steamed. The edges stay crispy, and the bun doesn’t get trashed.

What’s the secret to those crispy edges?

[Smashed burgers] are a different animal.

The correct term for smashing is shape, since we use two spatulas to form the meat.

The burger should look like a spaceship, flat at the edges, with a little hump in the middle. We season only with salt and pepper, just before the burger gets flipped.

And instead of a spatula, we use an angled scraper, which looks like a drywaller’s tool and doesn’t leave any crunchy bits behind.

The idea is to create a crispy, lacy edge that we call the “meat skirt.”

Subscrib e N

OW!

The Mac’s concept is easily replicable.

Will you do that? I never really thought I’d be doing what I’m doing, and I’m only two and a half years into it, so never say never, but I’m 49 years old. Right before I got approached at Tamm, I told my wife if I was ever going to open a restaurant, I’d open a burger joint on the South Side and sell [smashed burgers] like Carl’s and Gordon’s Stop Light do but use dry-aged meat. We get home, magically I get that phone call, then throw together a business plan that necessitated a $6 base burger, twice the price of Carl’s. I didn’t know if it would fly or die. I cut a hole in a wall inside a neighborhood bar in Dogtown, created an anomaly, and changed my life forever.

November 2019 stlmag.com

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EXPERT ADVICE ON KNOWING THE CITY,

PLUGGING IN

BY

Jeannette Cooperman, George Mahe, Jen Roberts, and Samantha Stevenson Sinelab

ILLUSTRATION BY

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NAVIGATING ITS NEIGHBORHOODS,

AND BUILDING A NETWORK N OV E M BE R 2 01 9 STLMAG.CO M 65

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10/7/19 11:57 AM

PLUG IN

A S TO L D TO / by Jeannette Cooperman

SETTLING DOWN ST. LOUIS TRANSPLANTS FOUNDER ANTHONY BARTLETT ON ATTRACTING—AND KEEPING—NEW ST. LOUISANS We can landscape and pave and organize consortiums, but how do we squeeze out the social glue that keeps newcomers from turning around and leaving? We asked St. Louis Transplants founder Anthony Bartlett, thinking he could give us some savvy tips for new people trying to break into a social life in our friendly but cliquish city. He threw the question right back in our lap. In every St. Louisan’s lap. It’s not a transplant’s job to connect with us, he said firmly. It’s our job to connect with them. And although St. Louis does indeed have great architecture and green space and sports, affordability and tolerable traffic, sophisticated restaurants and cultural offerings, and smart circles of innovation, the city’s future hinges on something far less controllable: a genuine openness, a warm invitation to coffee or a backyard barbecue. Here’s Bartlett on what he’s learned by helping St. Louis’ economic powerhouses recruit and retain talent.

He created City-to-City, a reference app that provides St. Louis analogies for other metropolitan areas; he’s studied stats and demographics, developed consulting programs, organized a team of volunteers to help welcome newcomers.

But what matters most, he learned by watching his mother.

My parents are transplants—my mom’s from New York, and my father’s from Pittsburgh. They were transferred for my dad’s job at a Clayton brokerage.

The first three years were hard for my mother—there was a lot of isolation. Then she was adopted by a very well-seasoned transplant, a woman in her sixties who lived across the street. That woman said, “Here is this church, here is this school, and you are going to come over for wine and cheese every afternoon.”

It really is the relationships—and that is the piece that was missing in relocation.

Transplants need an intermediary. That happens naturally in other markets.

Nobody’s from there, so they meet each other and the invitations are instantaneous. In St. Louis, 70 percent of the population is native; in a lot of first-tier and coastal markets, that’s reversed. And ours is a culture of privacy,

of roots. Yeah, there are neighborhoods where there’s a block party every week. But a lot of the socializing is with friends and relatives, and St. L ouis is so damned convenient, people can reach those friends and relatives in six minutes. They just don’t need to meet the new person.

But when the transplant experiences the city through the native, it makes a huge difference. St. Louisans have a very protective, suspicious position, but if a native makes the call, it’s unbelievable how nice people are. “Hey, Bob, someone is going to be calling…”

St. Louisans don’t mind being a little protective. There’s the innovative side that wants that changed—but there’s also the legacy side that doesn’t. People want to have their little community. “Keep my traffic low. Keep St. Louis a secret; keep us off the radar.” I had a very intelligent client turn to me as we were driving around and say, “This is the greatest swindle I’ve seen since Iceland!” There’s a piece of us that’s OK with the world not finding out.

People say, “I’ve been here a year, and I’ve heard about these famous St. Louis cookouts, and no one’s ever asked me to one.” People told us, “You know, in every other city I’ve lived in, I always had an invitation for Thanksgiving. Here, I didn’t.”

I was telling nine St. Louisans that story.

Three of them got offended: “They’re not putting themselves out there.” Three said,

“Listen, I’m so busy with my family and my kids and my work. I wish I could’ve done something, but I just can’t.” And the other three went, “Andrew, oh my God, I’m so sorry. It didn’t occur to me. We never had a stranger at our Thanksgiving table.”

Because it’s small and manageable, St. Louis can be easy to break into. But if you’re on the outside looking in, it’s very isolating: We forget how hard it is to go somewhere alone here. We have no culture of dining alone, going to a festival alone. It takes that entrée, that liaison, to open doors.

You get very few chances. People make the decision whether to remain in the city in the first seven days. A few really bad experiences, where they feel shut out and they’re standing someplace and no one is welcoming them or talking to them, and they will start to think about leaving.

One hundred people a day move to Austin. In Denver, it’s 300. That’s real growth. Right now, our net is slightly negative, although people aren’t streaming out anymore. But we don’t have a critical mass of population. We have so many neighborhoods coming up—The Grove and Botanical Heights and Downtown West—but now Clayton and the Central West End are a little quiet. We’re ready for half a million more people. And St. Louis has the attributes a lot of other cities are marketing but don’t actually have, the grit and the authenticity. It’s still real.

I was at the Federal Reserve the other day, and whether people decide to go or stay is not based on economics the way they thought. The new generation of talent choose where they want to live and then look for the job. Is this place going to share my values? Is this going to be somewhere I’m proud to live? As the coasts get so saturated and so expensive, people are letting go of a very big dream to come to

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the Midwest. It’s an identity change. Some of these people are making every bit as much money as they were in Manhattan, but that’s not what it’s about.

People don’t like to be just a number in a big place; they want to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, in a way that lets them see the ripple effect of what they’re doing. So even some of the pieces about St. Louis that are still broken and need work can be a draw.

People who want to be changemakers know what they do here will be seen and—they all use the same word—appreciated.

St. Louis is also an opportunity where they can play on a very big level—be it in research, finance, agriculture, health care, technology—and still be home by 6 p.m. The culture of the city encourages that. Our last four clients in a row each had an hour and 45 minutes each way commute, and that’s the difference between seeing your family at night or not. Young families see that

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“Have you been invited to a barbecue yet?

Have you been invited to a dinner party? Is there a service that you need or something you’re looking for that you haven’t found?”

It’s not necessarily a change in tax credits or a referendum; we don’t need to build new city blocks, though that’s wonderful.

Each person already living here can turn to the person next to them and make a huge impact: “Can I take you out for a drink? Can I show you my place of worship?” And this is the big one: We need a culture of follow-up.

It’s not the transplant’s job to hunt you down.

Too often, the first person to connect with a transplant is trying to sell them something, recruit them for something.

Make friends just because. When somebody’s flying in to assess St. Louis, put them in a hotel in a vibrant, cool neighborhood they can walk around, not the hotel by the office. Take them out for food they want. You want them to say, “You have that here?” Go somewhere that is unique and authentic. It doesn’t have to be fancy. They won’t remember every little detail, but they’ll remember how they felt.

A lot of St. Louisans have an agenda, because they’re so passionate about their own neighb orho o d, STL H AC KS their school. But what’s Living With the Seasons right for that new Ex-pats reminisce about the seasons: person? We’ll start MoBot on a spring day, Citygarden in by asking, “What’s the summer, Eckert’s in autumn, winter your perfect day? on Art Hill. At the same time, living here requires a versatile wardrobe, this entire city is set up What do you like the Weather Channel app, and for them. best about the a refresher course about What I wish people neighborhood where driving on ice. you live now?” We listen. could understand is the impact that crime has.

I drive 150 people a year People thinking of moving here around the city, and I’ve never either don’t know anything or they’ve taken the same route twice. heard something bad. And with natives, It’s not just recruitment, either; it’s there’s no middle gear; they’re either very, retention. If you just kept 10 percent of very defensive about St. Louis or they’re the kids right up the street [at Washington ripping it to pieces.

University], you’d change the whole city.

What I try to recommend to people is to What we need to improve is the maybe try a different approach, which is negative sale. It’s OK to acknowledge first of all to understand that whatever they what’s broken and still love this city. I think about St. Louis from afar, that’s not don’t need it to be perfect. We’re a real their fault; it’s our fault. They don’t know city, a place they can make a difference. yet. So cut them a little slack. They get off What did [Square co-founder and St. the plane, and they’re scared.

Louis native] Jim McKelvey say? “It’s not a Instead of asking, “Why are you here?” monoculture.” In D.C. or California, I’ll be and interrogating them on whether they at a dinner party and I know exactly what have been to X, Y, and Z—“But have you everybody thinks. Here, I have no idea— seen the park?”—ask them what they need. and that’s a richer experience.

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C O M I N G S O O N / by Jen Roberts

WHAT’S NEW 9 MAJOR PROJECTS THAT ARE STL H AC KS Taking the Soccer Pitch We have a rich soccer history, an active youth soccer scene, a pro soccer team, and an MLS club on the horizon. Even if you’ve never followed soccer, go to a game at World Wide Technology Soccer Park or Lou Fusz Athletic Soccer Complex to experience the energy and camaraderie.

1. ST. LOUIS AQUARIUM The much-anticipated aquarium, slated to open inside Union Station next month, will be home to more than 13,000 aquatic animals, including 60 sharks and rays. The $187 million project also includes the new 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a carousel, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a mirror maze, a ropes course, a train park, and several restaurants.

The project created 500 construction jobs and is expected to bring more than 100 permanent positions.

2. NGA WEST

4. CITY FOUNDRY

The $1.7 billion project is the largest federal investment project in St. Louis history.

Managed by the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Air Force, the 97-acre campus in North St. Louis is being called a game-changer for the intelligence community. Slated to be operational in 2025, it will feature a 712,000-square-foot office building with a garage, visitor center, and inspection facility.

Set to open next spring across from IKEA in Midtown, the $220 million project is transforming the former Century Electric Company site into an entertainment destination, including a food hall featuring 20 kitchens, a bar, and 500 seats. Fresh Thyme grocery plans to open its seventh local store on site, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will offer a unique theater experience.

3. SQUARE The company, founded by St. Louis natives Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, will relocate its St. Louis offices from Cortex to the former 235,000-square-foot St. Louis Post-Dispatch headquarters downtown. The move will allow the tech company to expand its workforce from 500 people to as many as 1,400.

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CHANGING THE FACE OF ST. LOUIS 5. MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER STADIUM Located just west of Union Station, the proposed modern stadium will house St. Louis’ forthcoming MLS team. The partially covered sports facility will seat 22,500–25,500 visitors, with entrances on all four sides and an angular canopy—constructed of translucent material that’ll allow light to pass through—to protect fans from the elements.

6. CHOUTEAU GREENWAY The proposed path would connect some of the city’s iconic destinations—Forest Park, the Gateway Arch, Tower Grove Park—and 20 St. Louis neighborhoods.

7. ARMORY DISTRICT The historic Armory building was once home to the 138th Infantry of the Missouri National Guard, years before hosting tennis championships and legendary concerts.

Soon, the space will find new life, thanks to a $47.1 million overhaul yielding 250,000 square feet of creative office space, a restaurant, and a greenway path connection.

8. 39 NORTH The proposed 600-acre space in Creve Coeur is intended to help cement St. Louis’ position as a global leader in plant and life sciences. Plans call for a defined district to attract talent and provide a framework for growth. The project has secured $4 million from the Federal Highway Administration and $1 million from St. Louis County.

9. BALLPARK VILLAGE PHASE 2 The slogan for the downtown development’s $260 million second phase: “We’re bringing the village to Ballpark Village.”

The project includes the Live! by Loews hotel, a Class A office building, retail, restaurant, and entertainment space, and a 29-story high-rise luxury residential tower, One Cardinal Way, scheduled for completion in 2020. The project is expected to create 1,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.

Photography courtesy of Ballpark Village, HOK, St. Louis Aquarium, The Lawrence Group

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C O N N E C T / by Samantha Stevenson

WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE WHETHER YOU’RE FRIENDS OR CASUAL CONNECTIONS, HERE’S We asked readers how they’ve met people in the St. Louis area, whether they’ve just moved here or are seeking new friends. “Yes, I need this advice! My husband and I just moved here from Los Angeles, and we’d love to make some,” one person said. Another suggested that you don’t meet new people in St. Louis— you just already know them from your high school.

So where to start? Here are some pointers from folks who’ve been there.

MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR. When Spencer

GET MOVING. Want to get fit and meet

Page asks business clients how to integrate into the city, they tell him “they have met their friend groups through their children’s school system.” Or consider taking your fur babies to local dog parks, where you can mingle with other dog parents. Nikki Gonzalez, who recently moved here from San Diego, has made friends with help from her 5-month-old golden retriever, Louis.

“It’s an easy introduction when he starts playing with someone else’s dog,” she says.

friends? Consider running clubs, gym classes, or a sports league. Nathaniel Madonna has grown closer to colleagues since joining an adult soccer league at Vetta—though he admits that the team is more about fun than winning: “I bond by chirping from the bench and making people laugh. Or by sharing my beer.” His advice? “Don’t take the game so seriously.” Sara Billotti suggests hiking or biking, because there are “so many people in parking lots to chat with.”

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A TRANSPLANT OR A LOCAL, SEEKING BEST HOW TO MEET OTHERS IN ST. LOUIS. GIVE BACK. When she moved here from

ENJOY A NIGHT OUT. Activity-focused options

Southern California, in 2005, Carrie Gallagher Crompton “had zero friends and knew nothing about St. Louis except for the Arch.” Then she remembered the Junior League, a volunteer organization that includes about 500 women across the area.

“It provided that instant network,” she says. Emma Klues, who works with Great Rivers Greenway, also suggests volunteering: “It’s a great way to meet people who have similar values and interests.”

have sprouted up in recent years, among them Westport Social, the Up-Down, and Start Bar, which all offer games (including classic and arcade) and drinks. Or consider local breweries, such as The Grove’s Urban Chestnut or Maplewood’s Schlafly Bottleworks, which often host popular events—ideal opportunities to casually mix and mingle.

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CONSIDER SOCIAL APPS FOR MORE THAN DATING. After moving here from New Mexico, Bailey Schaumburg hung out at coffeehouses and bars, hoping to meet others.

“I wanted everything to feel neat and cute, like, we pass each other on the street, wave ‘Hello,’ and then we’re the best of friends.”

Initially, they resisted social apps like Tinder and Bumble. Then they reconsidered: “I met one of my best friends through the app Her. We were both just looking for friends.”

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S TA R T U P S C E N E / by Samantha Stevenson

BUILDING AN ECOSYSTEM CORTEX CONTINUES TO PROPEL ST. LOUIS FORWARD AS A TECH HUB.

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On Thursday nights, area entrepreneurs fill Cortex’s Venture Café for seminars, discussions, and networking. It’s just a taste of what the 200-acre innovation community, started in 2002, does. Cortex—hosting seven Fortune 500 companies, generating $34 million in tax revenue over the past five years, and now expanding with six more buildings—has helped St. Louis “develop a lot of the pieces of an ecosystem that are found in other regional tech hubs,” says CEO Dennis Lower, noting that companies outside the region are also looking to grow here because of that ecosystem. When Lower moved here, in 2010, he saw potential. “I was struck by the fact that St. Louis and the region have so many assets and opportunities,” he says. He looks for certain elements to indicate a region’s capacity to serve as a tech hub: technology and new ideas; “agents of engagement” to support those ideas; human capital, including serial entrepreneurs, STEM workers, and business managers; financial capital, the capacity for investment; and physical capital, buildings and factories with which to produce products. There’s still work that needs to be done, though, he says, naming C-level executives and affordable multitenant buildings for emerging companies as areas in which St. Louis needs to improve. “But I do believe that one day, take that elevator to the top of the Arch and look west,” he says, “and you’ll see miles and miles of technology-related industry companies.”

ST L HACKS Trick-or-Treating We’re not exactly sure where the tradition started, but kiddos here take the phrase “trick-or-treating” to the next level, turning into wee comics-workingfor-candy for one night only. The trend even inspired a children’s book, Ryan Nusbickel’s The Funniest Halloween Joke in St. Louis.

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T R A N S P L A N T S TO R Y / by Jen Roberts

JOHN SAUNDERS

MORE THAN LUCK AN IRISHMAN ON WHAT DUBLIN AND ST. LOUIS HAVE IN COMMON

A native of Dublin, John Saunders moved here from London Saunders believes that people gravitate to big cities such as New York and London because everything is easily at their nearly four years ago. His ties to St. Louis, however, date back disposal. He finds that St. Louis has the same offerings; you just to the early 1980s, when he first traveled here for work. “I’ve have to take advantage of them. had a longtime love affair with this city,” he says.

When he became president and chief executive officer at “I find it amusing when I ask people, ‘When was the last time public relations and marketing agency you went to the Arch grounds to walk FleishmanHillard, “it was a very easy around?’ and they say it’s been years,” he transition,” says Saunders, who served “WHILE ST. LOUIS HAS ALL ITS ICONS—THE says. “When I’m in town, I go down to the as the grand marshal of the downtown MISSISSIPPI, THE ARCH—I THINK THAT, Arch to walk around several times a week.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2017. “I think LIKE IRELAND, THE GREAT RESOURCE OF “We have arguably the finest botanical moving between Ireland and St. Louis is ST. LOUIS IS THE PEOPLE. I THINK THE garden in the world and one of the not very difficult, because the two places, PEOPLE HERE ARE EXCEPTIONAL.” greatest symphonies,” he adds. while they look very different, actually After spending a day in St. Louis, have a lot in common.”

Saunders recalls, his daughter said she Dublin is a big small town, Saunders says, not unlike St. Louis. understood why he wanted to live here. On her next visit, “While St. Louis has all its icons—the Mississippi, the Arch—I he anticipates that they’ll spend time in Clayton, where he think that, like Ireland, the great resource of St. Louis is the lives, though he’s also planning stops in the Central West people. I think the people here are exceptional.”

End and DeMun. The most difficult adjustment? So few people walk here. “I’m “It’s a great honor for me to be here,” he says. “All my life, I’ve used to the hustle and bustle of life in London and Dublin, where had a deep affection and respect for America, but I think that people are constantly walking. Sometimes I’ll go for a walk here, I have a real love affair with this part of the U.S. It’s been very particularly in wintertime, and I’m unlikely to meet anyone.” good to me and for me and my family.”

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by George Mahe \ C O M M U T I N G T I P S

For more than a decade, I’ve meandered St. Louis’ highways, side roads, and back alleys on the seat of a scooter. When a mechanic saw my first one, after 10 years and 29,000 miles, he said in disbelief, “We heard of a guy once who had 20,000 on his, but nothing close to this. You’re the scooter king, man.”

Traveling across town is a lot different than it was in 2007. Now that those electric mini-scoots are de rigueur, I enjoy saying I drove a scooter from U. City when arriving in West County, just to see the other person’s jaw drop. The roads are also in a lot worse shape, and negotiating potholes requires a jockey-like move known as “riding the pegs,” crucial for keeping dental work in place.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few other things while scooting, too.

NAVIGATING ST. LOUIS AS SLM ’S DINING EDITOR HAS FOUND, THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO LEARN A TOWN THAN FROM THE SEAT OF A SCOOTER. 1.

SCOOTING IS AN IDEAL WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE SEASONS IN ST. LOUIS. My wife drives a convertible to unwind. I jump on a scooter and strap on an open-face polycarbonate-andfoam helmet. Feeling the wind on my face is worth the gamble.

When the weather’s cold, it’s restorative.

When it’s warm and sunny, it’s incomparable. And when it’s really hot? Well, I just go a little faster.

Illustration by Ryan Snook

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2.

INHERENT OBSTACLES ARE NO PROBLEM. Because traffic detectors aren’t always activated by two-wheelers, it is legal to proceed through a red light after a “reasonable and proper” period.

Gated streets are no longer closed—there’s usually a sidewalk that can be used in a pinch.

Streets blocked by Schoemehl pots are no longer an issue. And show me two parked cars with a decentsized gap between them, and I’ll show you a parking space.

3.

SCOOTERS ARE MORE VERSATILE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK .

With a pod, or “scooter trunk,” they can easily hold a briefcase, multiple bags of groceries, or a mediumsize Square Beyond Compare pizza box.

My most outlandish transport? A 6-foot piece of pine trim that I sat on as if heading to a poor man’s scooter jousting contest.

4.

SCOOTERS CAN BE ECONOMICAL AND QUICK. I’ll never forget my first tank of gas. “How much does it cost to fill that thing?” a woman at the pump asked. “Let you know in a minute,” I said.

Even I couldn’t believe it. “$4.75,” I beamed.

Feeling the need to turn the knife, I fumbled in my pockets and mumbled, loud enough for her to hear, “I know I have a five in here somewhere…”

5.

RIDING A SCOOTER FORCES YOU TO BE A BETTER DRIVER. The most glaring change over the past decade: text messaging. I now assume that 100 percent of drivers are texting; when I look around, I see I’m not off by that much. Drivers’ scatterbrained habits have recently caused me to alter my riding style: Instead of holding the left grip with all five fingers, I drop one digit down, so my thumb is always resting on the horn.

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T R A N S P L A N T S TO R Y / by Jen Roberts

STL H ACKS The School Search Classic question aside, the school search is serious business. There are myriad public, private, magnet, and charter options, each with its own strengths and quirks. Which one is right for your kiddo? Do your homework—visit the schools, study the stats, look at extracurriculars—then listen to your child.

SARAS CHUNG

FINDING BALANCE AFTER STINTS IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI AND D.C., ONE EDUCATION EXPERT AND HER FAMILY HAVE MADE A HOME NEAR TOWER GROVE PARK.

Saras Chung isn’t exactly new to St. Louis. The executive di“Ferguson happened while we were away, so we came back to a much more aware and astute St. Louis,” she says. “Racial rector of SkipNV, an independent strategy tank based in equity was something everyone was talking about, not just Cortex that’s working to improve educational equity, she people in social work.” grew up in southwest Missouri and moved to St. Louis for She and her husband also made the decision to live in the city graduate school at Washington University. She spent a deinstead of the suburbs, where they had lived cade here before moving to Washingpreviously. They found a home in Tower ton, D.C., with her husband and two “THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING Grove South. “There’s always something kids. Her husband is from D.C., so the GOING ON. THAT’S THE COOL going on,” she says. “That’s the cool thing move was a homecoming for him, and THING ABOUT ST. LOUIS: THERE ARE about St. Louis: There are cool events that they wanted to see whether it could be COOL EVENTS THAT GIVE YOU A SENSE give you a sense of pride in our community.” their forever home.

Three years later, they moved back to OF PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY.” Chung still has friends here from when St. Louis: “We love many things about the she was a student at Wash. U., and her huscoast, but I think what we couldn’t do well band is embedded in church networks, so there—which we had a taste of here—was raise a family. they’ve never had trouble finding community. “It’s such a relaxed “I want my kids to explore, be creative, play outside, and the city, and everyone wants to hang out, which is great,” she says, culture of educating your kids in D.C. is very much keeping up “but finding time for each other has been more of a challenge.” with the Joneses,” she adds. “It was just not the environment Her advice to newcomers is to get outside and meet people: where we felt our kids could be who they wanted to be.”

“Pick a neighborhood you want to feel a part of, because we are Since moving back, Chung has noticed several changes. so much a part of our neighborhoods.”

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T R A N S P L A N T S TO R Y / by Jen Roberts

JASON JACKSON

FROM ATL TO STL A NEW RESTAURATEUR MAKES HIS MARK.

STL HACKS Fish Fridays Every Friday during Lent, Catholic churches across St. Louis transform into the most popular restaurants around.

Yes, the fried cod’s good (not to mention the tamales at St. Cecilia Parish). But the real reason so many people go, whatever their religion, is for the sense of community.

Jason Jackson moved here from Atlanta in 2016 to become to try new things, so he urges other newcomers to “bring something different to St. Louis.” a partner at a national sandwich chain. About two years into At the same time that his company was taking off, Jackson the position, however, he decided to create his own restaurant was finding his own community here. “It’s crazy,” he says. “Three concept. Instead of returning to Georgia, Jackson decided to years ago, I only knew one person in St. stay and bring a bit of Atlanta cuisine to Louis. Now when I go out, people are askthe metro area.

“There is a totally different type of food “ST. LOUIS IS A SMALL CITY, BUT IT ing to take pictures with me.” in Atlanta,” he says, “and I wanted to offer HAS A LOT OF GOOD THINGS TO OFFER Jackson calls Washington Avenue this type of food in St. Louis.”

AND A LOT OF NICE RESTAURANTS.” home, though he also spends time in the So Jackson started a catering service Central West End, Tower Grove, and Benout of his home, using Instagram to reach ton Park. In addition to living in the Loft customers. The first day, he made a grilled chicken and shrimp District, he decided to open his restaurant, Kitchen 4AM, there, in the space formerly occupied by Hiro Asian Kitchen.

Alfredo, and he was surprised to sell 30 meals.

“Those meals ended up in the right hands: of people who have The hardest part of his transition to St. Louis: adjusting to a big social media following,” he recalls. “My company blew up the harsh winters. overnight. After that first day, we were doing 60 to 70 individual Like other transplants, his advice to newcomers is to explore meals a day.” the city. “St. Louis is a small city, but it has a lot of good things Jackson quickly discovered that many St. Louisans are eager to offer,” he says, “and a lot of nice restaurants.”

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FIVE STAR PROFESSIONAL

Who will be named a 2020 award winner?

Find out in a special section of the April issue Tell us about your home professional today — they could win the Five Star award! Go to www.fivestarprofessional.com/homesurvey or call 651-259-1865.

November 2019 stlmag.com

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T R A N S P L A N T S TO R Y / by Jen Roberts

HANA SHARIF

SECOND ACT THE REP’S NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ON GOING FROM THE EAST COAST TO THE MIDWEST

Hana Sharif has only just arrived in St. Louis (she actually Sharif isn’t one to shy away from asking questions, and she sought advice from anyone who would give it. “I would talk to closed on her house two weeks before our interview) to begin everyone from my Uber driver to the president of my board. her work as the new artistic director of The Repertory TheI’d ask, ‘What do you love about this city?’ and ‘What’s the one atre of St. Louis, but she had a transition year that kept her thing I have to see?’” bustling back and forth between Baltimore and St. Louis.

“It was the warmest transition I could She’d lend the same advice to a fellow have possibly imagined,” she says. “Across transplant: Ask for help—and get out and the board—it doesn’t matter, age, race, “IT WAS THE WARMEST TRANSITION I explore. She set out to see a new area each COULD HAVE POSSIBLY IMAGINED. ACROSS time she visited St. Louis. She now has a socioeconomic demographic—people THE BOARD—IT DOESN’T MATTER, AGE, list of places she’s eager to share with her have been kind and really generous and have offered great advice.”

RACE, SOCIOECONOMIC DEMOGRAPHIC— husband and daughter.

There was something about St. Louis PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KIND AND REALLY GENSo far, the transition from Baltimore that resonated with Sharif, her daughEROUS AND HAVE OFFERED GREAT ADVICE.” has been seamless, though she admits, ter, and her husband when they visited “The one St. Louis delicacy my palate the city during one of her interviews. For has not adjusted to is Imo’s Pizza. It’s Sharif, it was the city’s energy. For her daughter, Sharif admits not quite what I think of when I think of pizza, but I underthat the attractions made the city irresistible. “I feel like City stand it’s a delicacy and maybe it’ll take me a little more time Museum and the Arch were the things that sealed the deal,” she to appreciate.” says with a laugh.

Sharif is most looking forward to exploring the many neighThe hardest part of the move was figuring out schooling borhoods in more depth: “I appreciate that every neighborhood options. “Everyone, of course, loves the school their kids go to, has its own idiosyncrasies and energy, and all of it represents this so it’s hard to figure out what was going to be the right fit.” patchwork quilt of St. Louis that I find very exciting.”

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ST. LOUIS MAGAZINE’S 2020

NOMINATE A NURSE

How has a nurse impacted your life?

St. Louis Magazine is looking to honor nurses who go above and beyond the call of duty—whether it be a nurse from a private practice, hospital system, or school; or a nurse who specializes in home care, pediatrics, surgery, or education.

Help recognize those who provide outstanding care by submitting a nomination for SLM’s 2020 Excellence in Nursing Awards.

The nomination deadline is November 8.

To make a nomination and for more information, visit stlmag.com/nurses.

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PLUG IN

T R A N S P L A N T S TO R Y / by Jen Roberts

FRANCES LEVINE

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING A HISTORIAN’S VIEW OF THE GATEWAY CITY

STL H ACKS Navigating the River Our relationship is complicated. We owe our existence, in large part, to being on its banks, though that perch has also meant occasional flooding. Still, for those who want an up-close look at its natural splendor, few experiences are more memorable than a trip with Big Muddy Adventures.

Frances Levine, president and chief executive officer of the never have green chili again, and so many people in the community contacted me to tell me where I could find great New Mexican Missouri Historical Society, has lived all over—Connecticut, and Mexican food,” she says. “I also love the great farm-to-table Maine, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Mexico, Spain— movement here. I wasn’t expecting that.” but has found what she needs in St. Louis.

Levine moved to St. Louis five years ago, after 35 years in Santa Another pleasant surprise: all the beautiful parks and nature.

Fe. “What I began to understand about myself living in New MexLevine originally planned to experience more of the Mississippi ico was that I was curious about what was River, but she’s fallen in love with the Mishappening in the rest of the country,” she souri River and learned more about the says. She was ready for a move and wanted “YOU CAN’T FORM AN OPINION settlements along it. “We’re opening a new an environment that was urban but not ABOUT ST. LOUIS IF YOU DON’T exhibit on the roads and trails of the West,” too urban. As a history connoisseur, she KNOW THE HISTORY.” she says, “and I think a lot of people will be wanted to move to a place whose history surprised at the history that connects the she felt connected to. In 2010, she and her Missouri River Valley to the West.” husband traveled through St. Louis and Missouri to see everyWhen she first moved here, Levine says, she prioritized thing related to Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln. It was on the exploring the region. Each week, she’d take off in a new direcdrive back to St. Louis that Levine told her husband, “I could tion, sometimes driving as far as 100 miles. “That really helped live here.” me understand where I was,” she says.

Leaving New Mexican cuisine was one of the most difficult Levine believes that understanding a city’s history is essential aspects of her move, but St. Louis’ great food options have been to understanding its present: “You can’t form an opinion about among the most pleasant surprises. “I was afraid that I would St. Louis if you don’t know the history.”

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BEST LAWYERS

The Best Lawyers in America© is published by BL Rankings, LLC, d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC, Augusta, GA. and can be ordered directly from the publisher. For information call 803-6480300; write 801 Broad Street Suite 950, Augusta, GA. 30901; email info@bestlawyers.com; or visit bestlawyers.com. An online subscription to Best Lawyers® is available at bestlawyers.com.

DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT

BL Rankings, LLC, d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC, has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All listed attorneys have been verified as being members in good standing with their respective state bar associations as of July 1, 2019, where that information is publicly available.

Consumers should contact their state bar association for verification and additional information prior to securing legal services of any attorney.

Copyright 2020 by BL Rankings, LLC, d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of this list may be made without permission of BL Rankings, LLC, d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of this list without permission.

“The Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Lawyers” are registered trademarks of BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC. METHODOLOGY FOR BEST LAWYERS®

This list is excerpted from the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, the pre-eminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. Published since 1983, Best Lawyers lists attorneys in 146 specialties, representing all 50 states, who have been chosen through an exhaustive survey in which thousands of the nation’s top lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.

The 2020 edition of Best Lawyers is based on 8.3 million evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.

The method used to compile Best Lawyers remains unchanged since the first edition was compiled almost 40 years ago. Lawyers are chosen for inclusion based solely on the vote of their peers.

Listings cannot be bought, and no purchase is required to be included. In this regard, Best Lawyers remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings.

The nomination pool for the 2020 edition consisted of all lawyers whose names appeared in the previous edition of Best Lawyers, lawyers who were nominated since the previous survey, and new nominees solicited from listed attorneys. In general, lawyers were asked to vote only on nominees in their own specialty in their own jurisdiction. Lawyers in closely related specialties were asked to vote across specialties, as were lawyers in smaller jurisdictions. Where specialties are national or international in nature, lawyers were asked to vote nationally as well as locally. Voting lawyers were also given an opportunity to offer more detailed comments on nominees. Each year, half of the voting pool receives fax or email ballots; the other half is polled by phone.

Voting lawyers were provided this general guideline for determining if a nominee should be listed among “the best”: “If you had a close friend or relative who needed a real estate lawyer (for example), and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” All votes and comments were solicited with a guarantee of confidentiality, a critical factor in the viability and validity of Best Lawyers’ surveys. To ensure the rigor of the selection process, lawyers were urged to use only their highest standards when voting, and to evaluate each nominee based only on his or her individual merits. The additional comments were used to make more accurate comparisons between voting patterns and weight votes accordingly. Best Lawyers uses various methodological tools to identify and correct for anomalies in both the nomination and voting process.

Ultimately, of course, a lawyer’s inclusion is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow attorneys. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, the breadth of the survey, the candor of the respondents, and the sophistication of the polling methodology largely correct for any biases.

For all these reasons, Best Lawyers lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate, and useful guide to the best lawyers in the United States available anywhere.

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B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Thomas C. Walsh

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE William Ray Price Jr.

BUCKLEY & BUCKLEY Ann E. Buckley

GOLDSTEIN & PRESSMAN Norman W. Pressman

ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME LAW GOLDSTEIN AND PRICE Alan K. Goldstein Robert D. Nienhuis Daryl F. Sohn

DOWD BENNETT Elizabeth C. Carver GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Gretchen Garrison GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Erwin O. Switzer HAAR & WOODS

Robert T. Haar Lisa A. Pake

THOMPSON COBURN Michael D. O’Keefe

ADVERTISING LAW GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Mary Ann L. Wymore THOMPSON COBURN Mark Sableman

ANTITRUST LAW BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER John Michael Clear Rebecca A.D. Nelson HEPLERBROOM Glenn E. Davis THOMPSON COBURN W. Stanley Walch

APPELLATE PRACTICE ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Jeffery T. McPherson Thomas B. Weaver BRINKER & DOYEN Gary P. Paul BROWN & BROWN Daniel Brown BROWN & JAMES T. Michael Ward

HUSCH BLACKWELL Mark G. Arnold KIONKA LAW Edward J. Kionka MICHAEL GROSS LAW OFFICE Michael A. Gross PITZER SNODGRASS Robyn Greifzu Fox ROBERTS PERRYMAN Susan M. Dimond SIMMONS HANLY CONROY Justin J. Presnal SPENCER FANE Gerald P. Greiman THE LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH F. YECKEL Joseph Yeckel THOMPSON COBURN Bruce D. Ryder

ARBITRATION JEROME A. DIEKEMPER Jerome A. Diekemper PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Thomas M. Blumenthal

AVIATION LAW GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Morry S. Cole

BANKING AND FINANCE LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Thomas E. Lowther John J. O’Brien Joseph T. Porter Jr.

John L. Sullivan BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Harold R. Burroughs Karen W. Fries Paula Dinger Pace Bart D. Wall CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN John S. Meyer Jr. CARMODY MACDONALD Spencer P. Desai Mark B. Hillis DENTONS U.S. Karen M. Jordan DOSTER, ULLOM & BOYLE John G. Boyle HUSCH BLACKWELL Edward J. Lieberman Maury B. Poscover LATHROP GAGE Wendi AlperPressman LEWIS RICE Steven C. Drapekin Thomas C. Erb Rosemarie M. Karcher Joseph H. Weyhrich Mark C. Winings Tom W. Zook POLSINELLI Bob C. Graham III Larry K. Harris Kenneth H. Suelthaus SPENCER FANE Scot J. Seabaugh

THOMPSON COBURN Ruthanne Hammett Mark L. Kaltenrieder Steven Mitchell David H. Rubin WASINGER DAMING David G. Wasinger

STONE, LEYTON & GERSHMAN E. Rebecca Case

THOMPSON COBURN

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Susan K. Ehlers Richard W. Engel David L. Going

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Thomas B. Weaver

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Cullen K. Kuhn Lloyd A. Palans Brian C. Walsh CARMODY MACDONALD Robert E. Eggmann Thomas H. Riske COUSINS ALLIED STRATEGIC ADVISORS Steven N. Cousins GOLDSTEIN & PRESSMAN Steven Goldstein Norman W. Pressman

JENKINS & KLING Peter D. Kerth LATHROP GAGE Wendi AlperPressman LEWIS RICE Larry E. Parres Joseph J. Trad

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD G. Harley Blosser STINSON Janet S. Hendrickson, Ph.D.

Mark V. Bossi

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING LLCS AND PARTNERSHIPS)

David D. Farrell Cheryl A. Kelly David A. Warfield

BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE William M. Corrigan Jr. Daniel J. Godar Joseph F. Hipskind Jr.

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Thomas C. Walsh CARMODY MACDONALD Gerard T. Carmody DOWD BENNETT James F. Bennett

CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Jeffrey A. Cohen GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Vincent J. Garozzo

GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Don M. Downing Maurice B. Graham Robert F. Ritter

RIEZMAN BERGER Richard N. Tishler

HAAR & WOODS Robert T. Haar

THOMPSON COBURN Steven B. Gorin

HEPLERBROOM Theodore J. MacDonald Jr.

CLOSELY HELD COMPANIES AND FAMILY BUSINESSES LAW

LEWIS RICE Andrew Rothschild

Barry A. Short HUSCH BLACKWELL Marshall C. Turner

Kathryn J. Doty

SUMMERS COMPTON WELLS Bonnie L. Clair David A. Sosne

BANKRUPTCY AND CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS/ INSOLVENCY AND REORGANIZATION LAW

BRADSHAW, STEELE, COCHRANE, BERENS & BILLMEYER Paul H. Berens

POLSINELLI

SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM John Gianoulakis

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND LIFE SCIENCES PRACTICE ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David B. Jennings

SMITHAMUNDSEN

John W. Finger

AFFINITY LAW GROUP Kathleen W. Bilderback Tal Sant ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Jennifer R. Byrne William M. Corrigan Jr. Daniel J. Godar BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Lawrence Brody Stephen B. Daiker

HOYNE LAW FIRM Andrew T. Hoyne

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B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Jeffrey A. Cohen

BLANTON, NICKELL, COLLINS, DOUGLAS & HANSCHEN Joseph C. Blanton Jr.

LATHROP GAGE Bennett S. Keller

BLITZ, BARDGETT & DEUTSCH Christopher O. Bauman Robert D. Blitz

Scott H. Malin SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Bhavik R. Patel THOMPSON COBURN Thomas R. Corbett Stephen E. Cupples Steven B. Gorin Jason P. Thein

COLLABORATIVE LAW–FAMILY LAW AMATO FAMILY LAW Susan L. Amato GREGORY BROUGH, ATTORNEY AT LAW Gregory B. Brough PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL

Alan E. Freed RAZA & JONES Sophya Qureshi Raza THE CENTER FOR FAMILY LAW Ann E. Bauer Penny Robinson

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION AFFINITY LAW GROUP Tal Sant ARMSTRONG TEASDALE William M. Corrigan Jr. Scott Galt William Ray Price Jr. Jeffrey Schultz BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE Michael B. Hunter Steven P. Sanders BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER Anthony R. Behr W. Dudley McCarter

BROWN & BROWN Daniel Brown BROWN & JAMES Todd A. Lubben Steven H. Schwartz BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Ketrina G. Bakewell Louis F. Bonacorsi John Michael Clear Robert T. Ebert Jr. Jeffrey J. Kalinowski Mark B. Leadlove Michael B. McKinnis Thomas C. Walsh Brian C. Walsh Charles A. Weiss CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Drey A. Cooley Amy L. Fehr Mark E. Goodman Gary R. Sarachan CARMODY MACDONALD Tina N. Babel Gerard T. Carmody Patrick G. Carmody Kevin M. Cushing S. Todd Hamby Meghan M. Lamping Christopher J. Lawhorn Tyler C. Schaeffer David P. Stoeberl COPELAND THOMPSON JEEP Michael D. Hart CORWIN LAW GROUP David S. Corwin DENTONS U.S. Stephen H. Rovak

DOWD BENNETT James F. Bennett John D. Comerford Edward L. Dowd Jr. Robert F. Epperson Gabriel E. Gore James G. Martin FOX GALVIN Ronald Fox Theodore Lucas GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Don M. Downing Gretchen Garrison Maurice B. Graham Robert F. Ritter Jason D. Sapp GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Beth M. Conran James H. Ferrick David M. Harris Kevin F. Hormuth GROWE EISEN KARLEN EILERTS Gary A. Growe HAAR & WOODS Susan E. Bindler Robert T. Haar Lisa A. Pake Pete Woods HAMILTON WEBER V. Scott Williams HEPLERBROOM Glenn E. Davis Theodore J. MacDonald Jr. HUSCH BLACKWELL Michael R. Annis Mark G. Arnold Joseph P. Conran JoAnn T. Sandifer David W. Sobelman KIRKLAND WOODS & MARTINSEN John M. Challis LEWIS RICE John B. Greenberg John M. Hessel Michael J. Hickey Bridget G. Hoy Neal F. Perryman Winthrop B. Reed III Andrew Rothschild Richard B. Walsh Jr.

POLSINELLI Graham L. Day Keith J. Grady James P. Martin Robert J. Selsor Michael H. Wetmore SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Andrew Kasnetz Timothy O’Leary G. Keith Phoenix Jonathan Ries John S. Sandberg SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM John Gianoulakis SMITHAMUNDSEN Gene J. Brockland SPENCER FANE Timothy Ahrenhoersterbaeumer Gerald P. Greiman Francis X. Neuner Jr. Eric C. Peterson STINSON John R. Munich STONE, LEYTON & GERSHMAN Paul J. Puricelli THE SIMON LAW FIRM Anthony Friedman John G. Simon Anthony G. Simon THOMPSON COBURN Gordon L. Ankney William R. Bay Lawrence C. Friedman Edwin G. Harvey Stephen B. Higgins Jan Paul Miller John R. Musgrave Michael D. O’Keefe Dudley W. Von Holt W. Stanley Walch Kathy A. Wisniewski Roman P. Wuller TUETH KEENEY COOPER MOHAN & JACKSTADT Ian P. Cooper

COMMUNICATIONS LAW

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Richard A. Stockenberg

CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Leland B. Curtis Carl J. Lumley

THOMPSON COBURN Paul M. Macon

CONSTRUCTION LAW

COPYRIGHT LAW BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Thomas C. Walsh

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David G. Loseman BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER W. Dudley McCarter

CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN

Michael A. Kahn

CARMODY MACDONALD Donald R. Carmody

CRAWFORD IP LAW David E. Crawford

COCKRIEL & CHRISTOFFERSON Philip J. Christofferson Steven M. Cockriel

EVANS & DIXON Joseph M. Rolnicki

DENTONS U.S. John R. Haug Charles Vantine

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Mark E. Stallion

GAUSNELL, O’KEEFE & THOMAS William S. Thomas

HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE Michael J. Thomas Joseph E. Walsh Jr. Bryan K. Wheelock

GRACE J. FISHEL Grace J. Fishel

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Jackson D. Glisson Richard R. Hardcastle III Andrew W. Manuel Jennifer L. Therrien Michael E. Wilson HUSCH BLACKWELL Caroline L. Hermeling JENKINS & KLING Dale E. Hermeling

LEWIS RICE Frank B. Janoski PATENT LAW OFFICE Paul M. Denk PIERSON WELLS Gary A. Pierson II

LEWIS RICE Jeremy P. Brummond MCCARTHY, LEONARD & KAEMMERER Joseph C. Blanner Matthew D. Menghini NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Tim Walsh

HUSCH BLACKWELL Michelle W. Alvey Alan S. Nemes

POLSINELLI Jeffrey E. Fine SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD G. Harley Blosser Jonathan P. Soifer SPENCER FANE Glenn K. Robbins

WASINGER DAMING David G. Wasinger WINTERS LAW GROUP Bradley A. Winters

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B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

STINSON William D. O’Neill THOMPSON COBURN David B. Jinkins Thomas A. Polcyn Mark Sableman

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE LAW DOWD BENNETT

Edward L. Dowd Jr. James G. Martin SPENCER FANE James R. Dankenbring THOMPSON COBURN Thomas A. Litz Thomas J. Minogue

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David W. Braswell BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Don G. Lents James L. Nouss Jr. William F. Seabaugh DOWD BENNETT James G. Martin EVANS & DIXON Joseph S. von Kaenel SPENCER FANE James R. Dankenbring Ravi Sundara THOMPSON COBURN

Thomas A. Litz Thomas J. Minogue

CORPORATE LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David W. Braswell Michael A. Chivell Daniel J. Godar Michael S. Jefferies Thomas E. Lowther Joseph T. Porter Jr. Mark L. Stoneman Tessa Rolufs Trelz

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Frederick W. Bartelsmeyer Steven M. Baumer J. Powell Carman Robert J. Endicott Joel N. Lander Don G. Lents Walter L. Metcalfe Jr. Robert L. Newmark James L. Nouss Jr. Paula Dinger Pace William F. Seabaugh Peter D. Van Cleve R. Randall Wang CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN John S. Meyer Jr. CARMODY MACDONALD Brian C. Behrens Donald R. Carmody Leo H. MacDonald Jr. DOSTER, ULLOM & BOYLE Denis P. McCusker EVANS & DIXON Joseph S. von Kaenel GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE John W. Dillane Vincent J. Garozzo Thomas G. Lewin Jay A. Nathanson Patrick J. Sweeney HAMILTON WEBER Wm. Randolph Weber HUSCH BLACKWELL Craig A. Adoor Mary Anne O’Connell Maury B. Poscover LASHLY & BAER John Fox Arnold LATHROP GAGE Bennett S. Keller LEWIS RICE John C. Bodnar Thomas C. Erb Leonard J. Essig John J. Riffle Albert S. Rose Joseph H. Weyhrich Mark C. Winings Tom W. Zook

PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Donald W. Paule POLSINELLI Mary M. Bannister Ruben K. Chuquimia Jeffrey E. Fine Nancy Millsap Hawes Joan B. Killgore Paul G. Klug Timothy R. McFadden Kenneth H. Suelthaus SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Scott Greenberg SMITHAMUNDSEN John W. Finger SPENCER FANE James R. Dankenbring K. Edward Holderle III SUMMERS COMPTON WELLS Gary E. True

DOWD BENNETT Edward L. Dowd Jr. Gabriel E. Gore James G. Martin Kelly J. H. Murrie Michelle Nasser

STINSON John R. Munich

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Richard E. Greenberg

TUETH KEENEY COOPER MOHAN & JACKSTADT Amy Clendennen Melanie Gurley Keeney

HAAR & WOODS Susan E. Bindler Robert T. Haar Lisa A. Pake HEPLERBROOM Theodore J. MacDonald Jr. LEWIS RICE Barry A. Short LUCCO, BROWN, THRELKELD & DAWSON J. William Lucco NEWTON BARTH Talmage Newton

THOMPSON COBURN Donald B. Dorwart Benjamin Hulsey Michael F. Lause Thomas A. Litz

ROSENBLUM SCHWARTZ & FRY

Thomas J. Minogue

SINDEL NOBLE Richard H. Sindel

Christopher B. Reid W. Stanley Walch

CRIMINAL DEFENSE– GENERAL PRACTICE ROSENBLUM SCHWARTZ & FRY Matthew Fry N. Scott Rosenblum SINDEL NOBLE Richard H. Sindel

CRIMINAL DEFENSE– WHITE-COLLAR BRUNTRAGER & BILLINGS Neil J. Bruntrager CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Sanford J. Boxerman David V. Capes Sara G. Neill

N. Scott Rosenblum

THOMPSON COBURN Gordon L. Ankney Stephen B. Higgins

DUI/DWI DEFENSE THE LAW OFFICE OF CARL M. WARD Carl M. Ward THE LAW OFFICES OF JOHN M. LYNCH John M. Lynch TRAVIS NOBLE Travis L. Noble Jr.

EDUCATION LAW LEWIS RICE Evan Z. Reid MICKES O’TOOLE Thomas A. Mickes

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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW

THOMECZEK & BRINK

James G. Thomeczek

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Scott E. Hunt Sarah Roe Sise BRUCE S. FELDACKER Bruce S. Feldacker

ELDER LAW MARTHA C. BROWN & ASSOCIATES Martha C. Brown

ELECTRONIC DISCOVERY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT LAW

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Jennifer W. Stokes Lisa A. Van Fleet R. Randall Wang BUCKLEY & BUCKLEY Ann E. Buckley EVANS & DIXON Larry M. Sewell GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Douglas S. Neville Daniel J. Schwartz

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE John F. Cowling

EMINENT DOMAIN AND CONDEMNATION LAW

HAMMOND AND SHINNERS Richard Shinners HUSCH BLACKWELL Ruth Hays Alan H. Kandel

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Thomas B. Weaver

PAMELA D. PERDUE, ATTORNEY AT LAW Pamela D. Perdue

CARMODY MACDONALD Gerard T. Carmody

POLSINELLI Jamie Zveitel Kwiatek

DENLOW & HENRY

SCHUCHAT, COOK & WERNER James I. Singer

Robert Denlow Paul G. Henry HAMILTON WEBER David T. Hamilton HUSCH BLACKWELL Gary H. Feder Gregory R. Smith

THOMPSON COBURN Cathryn Conrad Lori W. Jones Richard J. Pautler Patricia A. Winchell UTZ & LATTAN

STONE, LEYTON & GERSHMAN Paul J. Puricelli

Katherine Utz Hunter

THOMPSON COBURN Mary M. Bonacorsi THE WALLACH LAW FIRM Jerome Wallach

Name = LAWYER OF THE YEAR

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B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

EMPLOYMENT LAW– INDIVIDUALS HARTNETT REYESJONES Jeffrey E. Hartnett HUSCH BLACKWELL Randall S. Thompson SCHUCHAT, COOK & WERNER

Sally E. Barker Loretta K. Haggard Christopher T. Hexter George O. Suggs Marilyn S. Teitelbaum SEDEY HARPER WESTHOFF Mary Anne Sedey Benjamin F. Westhoff SILVERSTEIN WOLF Ferne P. Wolf SOWERS ERNST Edwin C. Ernst IV WORKERS RIGHTS LAW FIRM Sherrie A. Hall

EMPLOYMENT LAW– MANAGEMENT ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Robert A. Kaiser Michael B. Kass Daniel K. O’Toole Eric M. Trelz BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER Jason W. Kinser BLITZ, BARDGETT & DEUTSCH Kelley F. Farrell David H. Luce BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Michael P. Burke Dennis C. Donnelly Jerry M. Hunter Ned O. Lemkemeier

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE T. Christopher Bailey Amy L. Blaisdell Dennis G. Collins Jill K. Luft Kevin T. McLaughlin Mary Beth Ortbals HARRIS DOWELL FISHER & YOUNG Ronald K. Fisher HESSE MARTONE Andrew J. Martone HUSCH BLACKWELL Christine F. Miller Sonni Nolan Terry L. Potter Randall S. Thompson Robert J. Tomaso JACKSON LEWIS Thomas E. Berry Jr. Jessica L. Liss R. Michael Lowenbaum Stephanie O. Zorn LASHLY & BAER James C. Hetlage LEWIS RICE Neal F. Perryman Gary M. Smith LITTLER MENDELSON Charles E. Reis IV Harry W. Wellford Jr. Kimberly A. Yates MCCARTHY, LEONARD & KAEMMERER Michael E. Kaemmerer MCMAHON BERGER Thomas O. McCarthy David F. Yates MICKES O’TOOLE Vincent D. Reese OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART Heidi Kuns Durr Burton D. Garland Jr. Timothy A. Garnett William M. Lawson Gregg M. Lemley James M. Paul Robert W. Stewart Eric A. Todd Erin E. Williams R. Lance Witcher

PITZER SNODGRASS Peter J. Dunne POLSINELLI Bradley G. Kafka SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD A. Courtney Cox SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM Mark J. Bremer Charles S. Elbert SPENCER FANE

Francis X. Neuner Jr. THOMPSON COBURN Hope K. Abramov Clifford A. Godiner Laura M. Jordan Krissa P. Lubben

ENTERTAINMENT LAW–MUSIC CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Michael A. Kahn DANIEL R. FRIEDMAN Daniel R. Friedman

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Julie E. O’Keefe George M. von Stamwitz BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER

Dale A. Guariglia TUETH KEENEY COOPER MOHAN & JACKSTADT Ian P. Cooper Margaret A. Hesse Melanie Gurley Keeney

Steven J. Poplawski

ENERGY LAW

POLSINELLI Michael H. Wetmore

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Daniel J. Godar BUCKLEY & BUCKLEY

Ann E. Buckley CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Leland B. Curtis Carl J. Lumley LUEDERS, ROBERTSON & KONZEN R. Eric Robertson

ENTERTAINMENT LAW–MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION

DENTONS U.S. Frank H. Hackmann JEFFERY LAW GROUP Stephen G. Jeffery

ROUSE FRETS WHITE GOSS GENTILE RHODES Gene P. Schmittgens STINSON Jon Santangelo THOMPSON COBURN Edward A. Cohen Crystal Kennedy Peter S. Strassner

EQUIPMENT FINANCE LAW HUSCH BLACKWELL Maury B. Poscover THOMPSON COBURN Ruthanne Hammett

CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Michael A. Kahn

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ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW

PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Alisse C. Camazine Alan E. Freed

Bruce E. Friedman Amy Hoch Hogenson Lisa G. Moore

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE William Ray Price Jr.

FAMILY LAW BARDOL LAW FIRM Stephen Bardol CARMODY MACDONALD Joyce M. Capshaw James P. Carmody Joseph Kodner Cary J. Mogerman Mary E. Niemira Jordan A. Poole

RAZA & JONES Stephanie L. Jones Sophya Qureshi Raza REINKER, HAMILTON & PIPER John R. Fenley Robert N. Hamilton Jennifer R. Piper SOWERS ERNST Zofia Garlicka Sowers SPIRN FAMILY LAW Michelle Spirn

COULTER LAMBSON Joseph A. Lambson

STEWART, MITTLEMAN & O’ROURKE Allan F. Stewart

CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Patricia Susi

THE BETZ LAW FIRM David Betz

DAVID B. LACKS David B. Lacks FAULSTICH LAW FIRM Lisa Faulstich FRANKEL, RUBIN, KLEIN, SIEGEL, PAYNE & PUDLOWSKI Elaine A. Pudlowski GROWE EISEN KARLEN EILERTS Mathew G. Eilerts HAEFNER LAW OFFICE Mark W. Haefner KRAMER, HAND, BUCHHOLZ & PARTNEY Jennifer Graves Borcherding MOSS POCIASK Melissa Moss PAGE LAW Tonya D. Page

THE CENTER FOR FAMILY LAW Ann E. Bauer Penny Robinson Alan N. Zvibleman THE E. REX BRADLEY LAW FIRM E. Rex Bradley THE MARKS LAW FIRM Jonathan D. Marks THE SCHECHTER LAW FIRM Michael L. Schechter THE SHAW LAW GROUP Jennifer A. Shaw THURMAN LAW FIRM David P. Senkel

FAMILY LAW ARBITRATION PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Alan E. Freed

Name = LAWYER OF THE YEAR

10/7/19 10:44 AM

B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

FAMILY LAW MEDIATION AMATO FAMILY LAW Susan L. Amato THE CENTER FOR FAMILY LAW Ann E. Bauer FRANKEL, RUBIN, KLEIN, SIEGEL, PAYNE & PUDLOWSKI

Leonard J. Frankel KRAMER, HAND, BUCHHOLZ & PARTNEY Jennifer Graves Borcherding PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Alan E. Freed RAZA & JONES Sophya Qureshi Raza

FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATION LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE John L. Sullivan LEWIS RICE Thomas C. Erb POLSINELLI Kenneth H. Suelthaus SPENCER FANE Scot J. Seabaugh THOMPSON COBURN

David H. Rubin

FIRST AMENDMENT LAW CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Michael A. Kahn THOMPSON COBURN Mark Sableman

FRANCHISE LAW DENTONS U.S. Stephen H. Rovak GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE David M. Harris Leonard D. Vines HEPLERBROOM

Glenn E. Davis LAW OFFICES OF JANE COHEN Jane E. Cohen

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PRACTICE ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Jonathan F. Dalton GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Erwin O. Switzer THOMPSON COBURN Kit Bond

HEALTH CARE LAW DOWD BENNETT James F. Bennett GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Kathy H. Butler John W. Dillane David M. Harris Gregg J. Lepper LASHLY & BAER Stuart J. Vogelsmeier Richard D. Watters LEWIS RICE Michael P. Davidson Lynn A. Hinrichs Tracy L. Mathis John J. Riffle NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Stacey L. Murphy James George Wiehl POLSINELLI Jane E. Arnold Randy S. Gerber Mark H. Goran Joan B. Killgore Donna Ruzicka

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Kenneth W. Bean Bobbie J. Moon SPENCER FANE Donn H. Herring THOMPSON COBURN James L. Fogle

BROWN & JAMES Robert L. Brady David P. Bub Brandon Copeland Bradley Hansmann Corey L. Kraushaar Todd A. Lubben Michael B. Maguire Elaine M. Moss T. Michael Ward

Evan Raskas Goldfarb

Russell F. Watters

Joyce Harris Hennessy Christina Z. Randolph Claire M. Schenk

BUCKLEY & BUCKLEY Ann E. Buckley Martin J. Buckley

IMMIGRATION LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Martha N. Hereford ARTHUR G. CARR III Arthur G. Carr III THOMPSON COBURN

Linda L. Shapiro TUETH KEENEY COOPER MOHAN & JACKSTADT Melanie Gurley Keeney

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE John F. Cowling HEPLERBROOM Glenn E. Davis THOMPSON COBURN Benjamin Hulsey

INSURANCE LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Clark H. Cole Patrick J. Kenny BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE John F. Mahon Jr. BRINKER & DOYEN Gary P. Paul Lawrence R. Smith

HEPLERBROOM Michael L. Young LAW OFFICES OF DAVID A. RUBIN David A. Rubin POLSINELLI Thomas Hohenstein

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Dennis C. Donnelly Jerry M. Hunter Ned O. Lemkemeier FORDHARRISON Corey L. Franklin GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE T. Christopher Bailey Jill K. Luft Kevin T. McLaughlin Mary Beth Ortbals HARRIS DOWELL FISHER & YOUNG Ronald K. Fisher Michael Harris

RYNEARSON, SUESS, SCHNURBUSCH & CHAMPION Debbie S. Champion

HESSE MARTONE Andrew J. Martone

SCHULTZ & MYERS Joshua P. Myers SMITHAMUNDSEN Patrick A. Bousquet

INTERNATIONAL MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Don G. Lents HUSCH BLACKWELL Maury B. Poscover

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE LAW BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Frederick W. Bartelsmeyer Don G. Lents

OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART William M. Lawson Gregg M. Lemley James M. Paul Robert W. Stewart

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Robert A. Kaiser Michael B. Kass

ROBERTS PERRYMAN Ted L. Perryman

ROSENBLUM GOLDENHERSH John Gazzoli Jr. SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM Charles S. Elbert THOMPSON COBURN Hope K. Abramov

Clifford A. Godiner Charles M. Poplstein

LABOR LAW–UNION HAMMOND AND SHINNERS Greg Campbell Janine M. Martin Richard Shinners

HUSCH BLACKWELL Terry L. Potter Robert J. Tomaso

HARTNETT REYESJONES

Jeffrey E. Hartnett

JACKSON LEWIS R. Michael Lowenbaum

HUSCH BLACKWELL Terry L. Potter Randall S. Thompson

LEWIS RICE Robert J. Golterman Gary M. Smith LITTLER MENDELSON Stephen D. Smith Harry W. Wellford Jr. MCCARTHY, LEONARD & KAEMMERER Michael E. Kaemmerer MCMAHON BERGER Thomas O. McCarthy David F. Yates MICKES O’TOOLE Vincent D. Reese

POLSINELLI Bradley G. Kafka

SCHUCHAT, COOK & WERNER George O. Suggs WORKERS RIGHTS LAW FIRM Sherrie A. Hall

LAND USE AND ZONING LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE

Timothy J. Tryniecki CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Helmut Starr

DOSTER, ULLOM & BOYLE Denis P. McCusker

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LABOR LAW– MANAGEMENT

Name = LAWYER OF THE YEAR

10/7/19 10:44 AM

B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

HUSCH BLACKWELL Gary H. Feder David G. Richardson Gregory R. Smith JENKINS & KLING Stephen L. Kling Jr. SMITHAMUNDSEN J. Bradford Goss THOMPSON COBURN William J. Kuehling

LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW–DEFENDANTS THE BALDWIN LAW GROUP Brent W. Baldwin BROWN & JAMES A. J. Bronsky Robert S. Rosenthal HAAR & WOODS Robert T. Haar Lisa A. Pake HEPLERBROOM Gerard T. Noce Roberts Perryman Richard C. Wuestling SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM

John Gianoulakis

LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW–PLAINTIFFS GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Robert F. Ritter

LITIGATION– ANTITRUST BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER John Michael Clear Rebecca A.D. Nelson Thomas C. Walsh

CARMODY MACDONALD Robert E. Eggmann Christopher J. Lawhorn Thomas H. Riske COUSINS ALLIED STRATEGIC ADVISORS Steven N. Cousins

GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Don M. Downing

GOLDSTEIN & PRESSMAN Steven Goldstein

HEPLERBROOM Glenn E. Davis

HUSCH BLACKWELL Marshall C. Turner

LEWIS RICE Barry A. Short

LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT H. BROWNLEE Robert H. Brownlee

Richard B. Walsh Jr. THE SIMON LAW FIRM Anthony G. Simon

LITIGATION– BANKING AND FINANCE BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER John Michael Clear GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM

Don M. Downing THOMPSON COBURN William R. Bay Michael J. Morris WINTERS LAW GROUP Vicki L. Little

LITIGATION– BANKRUPTCY

LEVERAGED BUYOUTS AND PRIVATE EQUITY LAW

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David L. Going

THOMPSON COBURN W. Stanley Walch

BRADSHAW, STEELE, COCHRANE, BERENS & BILLMEYER Paul H. Berens BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Cullen K. Kuhn Lloyd A. Palans

Brian C. Walsh

LEWIS RICE Larry E. Parres Joseph J. Trad POLSINELLI Matthew S. Layfield THOMPSON COBURN Mark V. Bossi David A. Warfield

LITIGATION– CONSTRUCTION BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER Jason W. Kinser W. Dudley McCarter COCKRIEL & CHRISTOFFERSON Philip J. Christofferson Steven M. Cockriel GAUSNELL, O’KEEFE & THOMAS William S. Thomas GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Jackson D. Glisson Richard R. Hardcastle III

Andrew W. Manuel Michael E. Wilson HUSCH BLACKWELL Kenneth A. Slavens

NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Tim Walsh

LITIGATION–FIRST AMENDMENT

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD John S. Sandberg

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Gerald R. Ortbals

THOMPSON COBURN David Dick

CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Michael A. Kahn

LITIGATION– ENVIRONMENTAL

LITIGATION– HEALTH CARE

JEFFERY LAW GROUP Stephen G. Jeffery THOMPSON COBURN Edward A. Cohen

Peter S. Strassner WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Maxine I. Lipeles

LITIGATION–ERISA ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Wilbur L. Tomlinson GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Daniel J. Schwartz HAMMOND AND SHINNERS Janine M. Martin THOMPSON COBURN

Richard J. Pautler

MCCARTHY, LEONARD & KAEMMERER Joseph C. Blanner Brian E. McGovern Matthew D. Menghini

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Stephen M. Strum

SMITHAMUNDSEN Heather A. Bub

John M. Hessel

DENTONS U.S. Frank H. Hackmann

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LEWIS RICE Joseph E. Martineau

HUSCH BLACKWELL Bradley S. Hiles

Debbie S. Champion

SCHULTZ & MYERS Joshua P. Myers

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Dale A. Guariglia Steven J. Poplawski

GREAT RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER Bruce A. Morrison

RYNEARSON, SUESS, SCHNURBUSCH & CHAMPION

LITIGATION– INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

THOMPSON COBURN Mark Sableman

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Richard L. Brophy Jennifer E. Hoekel

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Timothy J. Gearin SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Stephen M. Strum

LITIGATION– INSURANCE

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER J. Bennett Clark Daniel A. Crowe David A. Roodman Thomas C. Walsh CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Michael A. Kahn

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Clark H. Cole

FOLEY & MANSFIELD Timothy D. Krieger

BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER Stephen J. Potter

HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE

Matthew L. Cutler

BROWN & JAMES Steven H. Schwartz BUCKLEY & BUCKLEY Martin J. Buckley GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Russell K. Scott HEPLERBROOM Troy A. Bozarth Thomas J. Magee POLSINELLI Michael H. Wetmore

Douglas A. Robinson Joel R. Samuels Bryan K. Wheelock HEPLERBROOM Glenn E. Davis HUSCH BLACKWELL Michael R. Annis Kara Fussner Kenneth R. Heineman Steven E. Holtshouser Alan S. Nemes Rudolph A. Telscher

ROBERTS PERRYMAN Ted L. Perryman

Name = LAWYER OF THE YEAR

10/7/19 10:44 AM

B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

LEWIS RICE Michael J. Hickey Bridget G. Hoy Frank B. Janoski Richard B. Walsh Jr. PATENT LAW OFFICE Paul M. Denk PIERSON WELLS Gary A. Pierson II POLSINELLI Keith J. Grady SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD G. Harley Blosser William B. Cunningham McPherson D. Moore Jonathan P. Soifer STINSON Robert M. Evans Jr. Kyle G. Gottuso Keith A. Rabenberg

CARMODY MACDONALD Gerard T. Carmody David P. Stoeberl

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD A. Courtney Cox

FORDHARRISON Corey L. Franklin

SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM David A. Castleman Charles S. Elbert John Gianoulakis

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Amy L. Blaisdell Dennis G. Collins HAMMOND AND SHINNERS Janine M. Martin Richard Shinners HARRIS DOWELL FISHER & YOUNG Ronald K. Fisher HARTNETT REYESJONES Jeffrey E. Hartnett HESSE MARTONE Andrew J. Martone

THE SIMON LAW FIRM Benjamin R. Askew Anthony Friedman Anthony G. Simon

HUSCH BLACKWELL Terry L. Potter Randall S. Thompson Robert J. Tomaso

THOMPSON COBURN Dean L. Franklin Michael Nepple Alan H. Norman Mark Sableman

JACKSON LEWIS Thomas E. Berry Jr. Jessica L. Liss R. Michael Lowenbaum Stephanie O. Zorn

SPENCER FANE Francis X. Neuner Jr. Erik O. Solverud THOMPSON COBURN Hope K. Abramov Clifford A. Godiner Laura M. Jordan Krissa P. Lubben Pamela J. Meanes Charles M. Poplstein TUETH KEENEY COOPER MOHAN & JACKSTADT Ian P. Cooper WORKERS RIGHTS LAW FIRM Sherrie A. Hall

LITIGATION–LAND USE AND ZONING CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Helmut Starr

TUCKER ELLIS Nicholas B. Clifford Sandra J. Wunderlich

LEWIS RICE Curtis C. Calloway

HUSCH BLACKWELL Gary H. Feder

LITIGATION–LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

LITTLER MENDELSON Patricia J. Martin Charles E. Reis IV

JENKINS & KLING

AFFINITY LAW GROUP Ira Potter

MCMAHON BERGER Thomas O. McCarthy David F. Yates

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Robert A. Kaiser Travis R. Kearbey

Daniel K. O’Toole BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE Paul N. Venker BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Charles B. Jellinek

OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART Burton D. Garland Jr. Rodney A. Harrison William M. Lawson Gregg M. Lemley James M. Paul Robert W. Stewart POLSINELLI Bradley G. Kafka RIGGAN LAW FIRM Russell Riggan

Stephen L. Kling Jr.

LITIGATION– MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS HEPLERBROOM Glenn E. Davis

LITIGATION– MUNICIPAL CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Helmut Starr

LEWIS RICE John M. Hessel PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL

D. Keith Henson SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM John Gianoulakis

LITIGATION–PATENT ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Richard L. Brophy Jennifer E. Hoekel Jeffrey Schultz Marc W. Vander Tuig BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER J. Bennett Clark David A. Roodman Randy J. Soriano Thomas C. Walsh FOLEY & MANSFIELD Timothy D. Krieger HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE Matthew L. Cutler Michael P. Kella Greg W. Meyer Douglas A. Robinson Joel R. Samuels Bryan K. Wheelock HUSCH BLACKWELL Michael R. Annis Kara Fussner PATENT LAW OFFICE Paul M. Denk POLSINELLI Graham L. Day Keith J. Grady SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD G. Harley Blosser William B. Cunningham McPherson D. Moore SPENCER FANE Glenn K. Robbins

FISHER PATTERSON SAYLER & SMITH Portia C. Kayser

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STINSON Robert M. Evans Jr. Michael J. Hartley Janet S. Hendrickson, Ph.D. Kathleen Markowski Petrillo Keith A. Rabenberg John K. Roedel Jr. THE SIMON LAW FIRM Benjamin R. Askew

Anthony G. Simon

LITIGATION– TRUSTS AND ESTATES BOULTON LAW Scot W. Boulton BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Kathleen R. Sherby Douglas J. Stanley HAAR & WOODS Susan E. Bindler

THOMPSON COBURN Dean L. Franklin Alan H. Norman

JOHN DOOLING LAWYER John E. Dooling Jr.

LITIGATION–REAL ESTATE CARMODY MACDONALD Gerard T. Carmody David P. Stoeberl HUSCH BLACKWELL

Gary H. Feder LEWIS RICE Thomas L. Caradonna SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD John S. Sandberg

LITIGATION– REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT (SEC, TELECOM, ENERGY) BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Jeffrey J. Kalinowski

LITIGATION SECURITIES BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER John Michael Clear Jeffrey J. Kalinowski HEPLERBROOM Glenn E. Davis THOMPSON COBURN Kenton E. Knickmeyer

KIRKLAND WOODS & MARTINSEN

John M. Challis LEWIS RICE Matthew J. Madsen Robert J. Will POLSINELLI Robert J. Selsor ROSSITER & BOOCK Matthew J. Rossiter SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Bhavik R. Patel STINSON Charles A. Redd THOMPSON COBURN Mike Bartolacci Thomas R. Corbett

LITIGATION AND CONTROVERSY–TAX CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Sanford J. Boxerman David V. Capes Sara G. Neill Michelle F. Schwerin SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM Joseph P. Giljum THOMPSON COBURN Edward J. Buchholz

Janette M. Lohman

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B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS– DEFENDANTS

MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS – PLAINTIFFS

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Raymond R. Fournie Anita M. Kidd

CAMPBELL LAW John E. Campbell

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Ketrina G. Bakewell A. Elizabeth Blackwell

ERICH VIETH Erich V. Vieth GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Kaitlin A. Bridges Don M. Downing

CARMODY MACDONALD David P. Stoeberl

Thomas K. Neill

COSMICH SIMMONS & BROWN Thomas L. Orris

KEANE LAW Ryan A. Keane

EVANS & DIXON Ronald Hack HEPLERBROOM Brenda G. Baum Gordon R. Broom Eric P. Hall Jeffrey S. Hebrank Larry E. Hepler HEYL, ROYSTER, VOELKER & ALLEN Kent Plotner HUSCH BLACKWELL Kenneth R. Heineman Joseph C. Orlet LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH Jeffrey Bash LEWIS RICE Thomas P. Berra Jr. ROBERTS PERRYMAN Ted L. Perryman SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Anthony L. Martin THOMPSON COBURN Paul M. Brown Joseph M. Kellmeyer

Michael B. Minton Carl L. Rowley

Robert F. Ritter

LAW OFFICE OF RICHARD S. CORNFELD Richard S. Cornfeld MCCUNE WRIGHT AREVALO Derek Y. Brandt NIEMEYER, GREBEL & KRUSE Mark R. Niemeyer

MEDIATION BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER W. Dudley McCarter FRANKEL, RUBIN, KLEIN, SIEGEL, PAYNE & PUDLOWSKI Leonard J. Frankel JEROME A. DIEKEMPER Jerome A. Diekemper PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Thomas M. Blumenthal Alan E. Freed ST. LOUIS MEDIATION CENTER Ronald G. Wiesenthal UNITED STATES ARBITRATION & MEDIATION Michael S. Geigerman WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Karen L. Tokarz

SCHLICHTER BOGARD & DENTON Jerome J. Schlichter

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW– DEFENDANTS

SIMMONS HANLY CONROY John A. Barnerd Perry J. Browder Jo Anna Pollock

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Timothy J. Gearin

THE HOLLAND LAW FIRM R. Seth Crompton THE SIMON LAW FIRM Amy Collignon Gunn John G. Simon

MEDIA LAW CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Michael A. Kahn LEWIS RICE Joseph E. Martineau THOMPSON COBURN Mark Sableman

BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE Paul N. Venker BLANTON, NICKELL, COLLINS, DOUGLAS & HANSCHEN Joseph C. Blanton Jr. BROWN & JAMES David P. Ellington Brian R. Plegge Robert S. Rosenthal Peter F. Spataro Philip L. Willman

ECKENRODE-MAUPIN, ATTORNEYS AT LAW J. Thaddeus Eckenrode GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Edward S. Bott HAMILTON WEBER V. Scott Williams HENNELLY & ASSOCIATES James J. Hennelly LASHLY & BAER Kenneth C. Brostron James P. Reinert Stephen G. Reuter SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD

Kenneth W. Bean G. Keith Phoenix Jonathan Ries Peter von Gontard THE BALDWIN LAW GROUP Brent W. Baldwin THE LAW OFFICE OF MARK A. GONNERMAN Mark A. Gonnerman

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW– PLAINTIFFS GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM M. Graham Dobbs Maurice B. Graham Joan M. Lockwood Robert F. Ritter Stephen R. Woodley LAW OFFICE OF DANIEL P. FINNEY III Daniel P. Finney III NEWMAN BRONSON & WALLIS Mark I. Bronson PADBERG, CORRIGAN & APPELBAUM Matthew J. Padberg SCHLAPPRIZZI Donald L. Schlapprizzi

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THE LAW OFFICE OF JOHN S. WALLACH John S. Wallach

PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Donald W. Paule

THE LAW OFFICES OF GRETCHEN MYERS Gretchen Myers

POLSINELLI Ruben K. Chuquimia Paul G. Klug Timothy R. McFadden Kenneth H. Suelthaus

THE SIMON LAW FIRM Timothy M. Cronin Amy Collignon Gunn

John G. Simon

RIEZMAN BERGER Mark J. Temkin

WOLFF & WOLFF TRIAL LAWYERS Alvin A. Wolff Jr.

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Warren W. Davis

ZEVAN DAVIDSON ROMAN Rachel L. Roman David M. Zevan

SMITHAMUNDSEN John W. Finger STINSON R. Troy Kendrick Jr.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS LAW

THOMPSON COBURN

Donald B. Dorwart Ronald E. Haglof Thomas A. Litz Thomas J. Minogue Frederick R. Strasheim W. Stanley Walch

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David W. Braswell Daniel J. Godar Mark L. Stoneman Tessa Rolufs Trelz BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Frederick W. Bartelsmeyer Steven M. Baumer Don G. Lents Robert L. Newmark William F. Seabaugh Peter D. Van Cleve R. Randall Wang John M. Welge CARMODY MACDONALD Brian C. Behrens EVANS & DIXON Joseph S. von Kaenel

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Brian E. Kaveney

MUNICIPAL LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Robert D. Klahr James E. Mello CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Kevin M. O’Keefe

Helmut Starr DENTONS U.S. Thomas K. Vandiver

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Vincent J. Garozzo HUSCH BLACKWELL Mary Anne O’Connell LEWIS RICE John C. Bodnar Brian D. Bouquet Steven C. Drapekin Thomas C. Erb

MILITARY LAW

HAMILTON WEBER David T. Hamilton Wm. Randolph Weber LEWIS RICE John M. Hessel

MUTUAL FUNDS LAW BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Dee Anne Sjogren

Name = LAWYER OF THE YEAR

10/7/19 10:44 AM

B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

NONPROFIT / CHARITIES LAW BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Keith J. Kehrer Frank P. Wolff Jr.

LATHROP GAGE Jason M. Schwent LEWIS RICE Frank B. Janoski PATENT LAW OFFICE Paul M. Denk

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Bernard C. Huger

POLSINELLI Kathryn J. Doty Tara A. Nealey, Ph.D.

SPENCER FANE K. Edward Holderle III Leonard J. Pranschke

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD G. Harley Blosser William B. Cunningham Lionel L. Lucchesi McPherson D. Moore J. Philip Polster Jonathan P. Soifer

THOMPSON COBURN

Jacqueline A. Dimmitt Lawrence P. Katzenstein Richard L. Lawton Jason P. Thein

PATENT LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Derick E. Allen Daniel Fitzgerald Christopher M. Goff Michael G. Munsell Patrick W. Rasche Richard A. Schuth BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER J. Bennett Clark David A. Roodman CRAWFORD IP LAW David E. Crawford EVANS & DIXON Joseph M. Rolnicki GRACE J. FISHEL Grace J. Fishel GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Mark E. Stallion HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE Matthew L. Cutler Greg W. Meyer Brian G. Panka Michael J. Thomas Joseph E. Walsh Jr. Bryan K. Wheelock

SPENCER FANE Glenn K. Robbins

BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER Anthony R. Behr Stephen J. Potter BRINKER & DOYEN Lawrence R. Smith BROWN & JAMES David P. Bub Justin Chapell David P. Ellington Bradley Hansmann Corey L. Kraushaar John P. Rahoy Joseph Swift Philip L. Willman BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Dan H. Ball Thomas C. Walsh BUCKLEY & BUCKLEY Martin J. Buckley

STINSON Robert M. Bain Paul I. Fleischut Janet S. Hendrickson, Ph.D.

ECKENRODE-MAUPIN, ATTORNEYS AT LAW J. Thaddeus Eckenrode

Kurt F. James

GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Russell K. Scott

Vincent M. Keil Kathleen Markowski Petrillo John K. Roedel Jr. Andrew C. Wegman THE SMALL PATENT LAW GROUP Dean D. Small THOMPSON COBURN Alan H. Norman Thomas A. Polcyn Steven M. Ritchey

PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION– DEFENDANTS ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Clark H. Cole William M. Corrigan Jr. David G. Ott James L. Stockberger BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE Peter B. Hoffman Michael B. Hunter John F. Mahon Jr. Steven P. Sanders Paul N. Venker Theodore J. Williams Jr.

HENNELLY & ASSOCIATES James J. Hennelly HEPLERBROOM Theodore J. MacDonald Jr. Thomas J. Magee Gerard T. Noce HINSHAW & CULBERTSON Terese A. Drew LASHLY & BAER Stephen L. Beimdiek

Kenneth C. Brostron PADBERG, CORRIGAN & APPELBAUM Michael P. Corrigan PITZER SNODGRASS Gary E. Snodgrass ROBERTS PERRYMAN Ted L. Perryman Richard C. Wuestling

RYNEARSON, SUESS, SCHNURBUSCH & CHAMPION Debbie S. Champion Sam P. Rynearson SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Kenneth W. Bean G. Keith Phoenix John S. Sandberg Rodney Sharp Peter von Gontard THE BALDWIN LAW GROUP Brent W. Baldwin THE LAW OFFICE OF MARK A. GONNERMAN Mark A. Gonnerman THOMPSON COBURN Nicholas J. Lamb John R. Musgrave Carl L. Rowley Dudley W. Von Holt

PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION– PLAINTIFFS BRUNTRAGER & BILLINGS Neil J. Bruntrager CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Mark E. Goodman CASEY, DEVOTI & BROCKLAND Anne-Marie Brockland DOWD & DOWD Douglas P. Dowd FINNEY LAW OFFICE Daniel Finney LAW OFFICE OF DANIEL P. FINNEY III Daniel P. Finney III GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Morry S. Cole

Maurice B. Graham Patrick J. Hagerty Joan M. Lockwood Robert F. Ritter Stephen R. Woodley

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GROWE EISEN KARLEN EILERTS Gary A. Growe HOLLORAN, SCHWARTZ & GAERTNER James P. Holloran HULLVERSON & HULLVERSON James E. Hullverson Jr. HULLVERSON LAW FIRM Thomas M. Burke Stephen H. Ringkamp KEANE LAW Ryan A. Keane

SCHULTZ & MYERS Stephen R. Schultz SIMMONS HANLY CONROY Nicholas J. Angelides Michael J. Angelides Perry J. Browder J. Conard Metcalf Justin J. Presnal THE HOLLAND LAW FIRM R. Seth Crompton THE LAW OFFICES OF GRETCHEN MYERS Gretchen Myers THE SIMON LAW FIRM Amy Collignon Gunn John G. Simon Erica Blume Slater

LAW OFFICES OF PATRICK S. O’BRIEN Patrick S. O’Brien MANDEL & MANDEL Alan S. Mandel

THE LAW OFFICE OF JOHN S. WALLACH John S. Wallach

MILLIKAN WRIGHT Christopher A. Wright

WITZEL, KANZLER & DIMMITT Richard C. Witzel

NEWMAN BRONSON & WALLIS Mark I. Bronson Marc S. Wallis

WOLFF & WOLFF TRIAL LAWYERS Alvin A. Wolff Jr. Alexander Wolff

NIEMEYER, GREBEL & KRUSE David Grebel

ZEVAN DAVIDSON ROMAN Rachel L. Roman David M. Zevan

PADBERG, CORRIGAN & APPELBAUM Michael P. Corrigan Matthew J. Padberg PAGE LAW John J. Page

PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION– DEFENDANTS ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Timothy J. Gearin David G. Ott

ROSENBLUM SCHWARTZ & FRY Matthew Fry ROSSITER & BOOCK Jamie L. Boock Zachary R. Pancoast SCHLAPPRIZZI Donald L. Schlapprizzi Craig Schlapprizzi SCHLICHTER BOGARD & DENTON Jerome J. Schlichter Nelson G. Wolff

BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE Peter B. Hoffman John F. Mahon Jr. Steven P. Sanders BEHR, MCCARTER & POTTER Anthony R. Behr

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B E S T L AW Y E R S ®

BLANTON, NICKELL, COLLINS, DOUGLAS & HANSCHEN Joseph C. Blanton Jr. BROWN & JAMES A. J. Bronsky Bradley Hansmann Corey L. Kraushaar Brian R. Plegge Joseph Swift Philip L. Willman BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER

Dan H. Ball Stephen G. Strauss CARPENTER MOSER Amy Lorenz-Moser COSMICH SIMMONS & BROWN Matthew E. Pelikan HEPLERBROOM Thomas J. Magee Jason Rankin HEYL, ROYSTER, VOELKER & ALLEN Kent Plotner Michael Schag

PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION– PLAINTIFFS CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Mark E. Goodman DEVOTO LAW FIRM Thomas C. DeVoto GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Joan M. Lockwood Robert F. Ritter KEANE LAW Ryan A. Keane

PAGE LAW Brad Wilmoth SIMMONS HANLY CONROY J. Conard Metcalf John Simmons THE HOLLAND LAW FIRM R. Seth Crompton

NICHOLS LANG & HAMLIN Christopher Lang

THE SIMON LAW FIRM Timothy M. Cronin

STANTON BARTON Jonathan T. Barton THOMPSON COBURN Paul M. Brown Richard A. Mueller John R. Musgrave Carl L. Rowley

THOMPSON COBURN Michael F. Lause

PUBLIC FINANCE LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Robert D. Klahr Thomas E. Lowther James E. Mello BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Harold R. Burroughs GILMORE BELL

Mark D. Grimm NEWMAN BRONSON & WALLIS Mark I. Bronson

HUSCH BLACKWELL Kenneth R. Heineman

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD G. Keith Phoenix Mark A. Prost Jonathan Ries Andrew Ryan John S. Sandberg Lyndon Sommer Stephen M. Strum Peter von Gontard

PROJECT FINANCE LAW

Amy Collignon Gunn John G. Simon ZEVAN DAVIDSON ROMAN Rachel L. Roman

PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW– DEFENDANTS ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Wilbur L. Tomlinson HENNELLY & ASSOCIATES James J. Hennelly HEPLERBROOM Thomas J. Magee ROBERTS PERRYMAN Richard C. Wuestling

Claire J. Halpern LEWIS RICE David W. Brown THOMPSON COBURN Sara E. Kotthoff Michael F. Lause Steven Mitchell Deborah K. Rush

QUI TAM LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Daniel K. O’Toole THOMPSON COBURN Gordon L. Ankney

RAILROAD LAW BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE John P. Lord Theodore J. Williams Jr.

GROVES POWERS Steven L. Groves LAW OFFICES OF PATRICK S. O’BRIEN Patrick S. O’Brien SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD James A. Bax SCHLICHTER BOGARD & DENTON Jerome J. Schlichter Nelson G. Wolff THOMPSON COBURN Paul M. Brown Harlan A. Harla Thomas E. Jones Nicholas J. Lamb Kurt E. Reitz

REAL ESTATE LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Hillary Bean Daniel J. Burke Michael A. Chivell James A. Fredericks Joseph F. Hipskind Jr. Mark Murray Timothy J. Tryniecki Daniel R. Wofsey BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER James G. Buell Harold R. Burroughs Victoria I. Goldson John W. Hoffman Bruce E. Lowry Jr. George E. Murray CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN John S. Meyer Jr.

BOYLE BRASHER

Richard E. Boyle William A. Brasher Charles J. Swartwout BUCKLEY & BUCKLEY Stephen M. Buckley C. MARSHALL FRIEDMAN C. Marshall Friedman

CARMODY MACDONALD Donald R. Carmody Kevin M. Cushing Mark B. Hillis Brian J. Nolan Josh J. Reinert Ronald E. Rucker CURTIS, HEINZ, GARRETT & O’KEEFE Helmut Starr

GRAY, RITTER & GRAHAM Patrick J. Hagerty

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DENTONS U.S. Alan B. Bornstein Amelia M. Lewis GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE James E. Adkins Alfred Henneboehle Donald G. Kennedy Thomas L. Story GUGGENHEIM PARTNERS Jennifer A. Marler HUSCH BLACKWELL Gary H. Feder Richard E. Feldman Jonathan Giokas Caroline L. Hermeling Courtney L. Hill William M. Hof David R. Human David A. Linenbroker David G. Richardson Gregory R. Smith Frans J. von Kaenel JENKINS & KLING Gregory M. Otto LATHROP GAGE Janice E. Hetland Jared Minkoff Christopher T. Pierce Colleen McNitt Ruiz LEWIS RICE David B. Lemkemeier Catherine R. Phillips Jacob W. Reby MICKES O’TOOLE Thomas J. O’Toole Jr. PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Donald W. Paule POLSINELLI Joseph A. Bealmear Bob C. Graham III John P. McNearney REALTY LAW PARTNERS Lisa Greenman Kraner Phillip James Paster

Bryan C. West Robert T. West

ROSENBLUM GOLDENHERSH Brian J. Beck Roger M. Herman Carl C. Lang David S. Lang Michael A. Markenson David T. Woods SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Philip Graham David F. Neiers Keith D. Price SPENCER FANE Bradford J. Cytron Robert H. Epstein Thomas W. Jerry Richard K. Mersman III Thomas Osterholt STINSON Harold A. Tzinberg THOMPSON COBURN Douglas M. Baron Halpin J. Burke Daniel T. Engle Cheryl A. Kelly Paul M. Macon Gayle Smith Mercier

SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David W. Braswell BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Steven M. Baumer Robert J. Endicott J. Mark Klamer Don G. Lents James L. Nouss Jr. William F. Seabaugh R. Randall Wang GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Thomas G. Lewin HUSCH BLACKWELL Craig A. Adoor LEWIS RICE John C. Bodnar Tom W. Zook POLSINELLI Ruben K. Chuquimia

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SPENCER FANE James R. Dankenbring

Ravi Sundara THOMPSON COBURN Thomas A. Litz W. Stanley Walch

SECURITIES REGULATION ARMSTRONG TEASDALE David W. Braswell BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER J. Mark Klamer James L. Nouss Jr.

LEWIS RICE Matthew J. Madsen Albert S. Rose Lawrence H. Weltman ROSENBLUM GOLDENHERSH Carl C. Lang Michael A. Markenson SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM Joseph P. Giljum SMITHAMUNDSEN Robert Lewis Jackson SPENCER FANE James R. Dankenbring

R. Randall Wang THOMPSON COBURN Thomas A. Litz

SPORTS LAW SPENCER FANE Robert H. Lattinville THOMPSON COBURN Robert E. Wallace Jr.

TAX LAW BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Lawrence Brody Michael N. Newmark

Philip B. Wright CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN David V. Capes CARMODY MACDONALD Leo H. MacDonald Jr. GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Thomas H. Mug Jay A. Nathanson HUSCH BLACKWELL Raymond S. Kreienkamp LATHROP GAGE Bennett S. Keller Jared Minkoff

THOMPSON COBURN Henry A. Bettendorf Edward J. Buchholz Steven B. Gorin Richard L. Lawton Janette M. Lohman

TECHNOLOGY LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Saraann S. Parker BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Frank P. Wolff Jr. HOYNE LAW FIRM Andrew T. Hoyne POLSINELLI

Jeffrey E. Fine

TRADE SECRETS LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE William M. Corrigan Jr. Jeffrey Schultz LEWIS RICE John B. Greenberg

TRADEMARK LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Donna Frazier Schmitt BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER J. Bennett Clark David A. Roodman Thomas C. Walsh CARMODY MACDONALD Meg Marshall Thomas GRACE J. FISHEL Grace J. Fishel HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE Joel R. Samuels Michael J. Thomas Joseph E. Walsh Jr. Bryan K. Wheelock HUSCH BLACKWELL

Alan S. Nemes LEWIS RICE Frank B. Janoski PATENT LAW OFFICE Paul M. Denk PIERSON WELLS Gary A. Pierson II POLSINELLI Jeffrey E. Fine SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD G. Harley Blosser J. Philip Polster Jonathan P. Soifer SPENCER FANE Glenn K. Robbins STINSON Paul I. Fleischut Kurt F. James William D. O’Neill Keith A. Rabenberg THOMPSON COBURN Matt Braunel David B. Jinkins Thomas A. Polcyn Mark Sableman

TRUSTS AND ESTATES

MGD LAW Adrienne J. Davis Lisa D. McLaughlin

VENTURE CAPITAL LAW

BOULTON LAW Scot W. Boulton

PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL Donald W. Paule

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER J. Powell Carman Kathryn Elliott Love James L. Nouss Jr.

BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER Lawrence Brody Stephen B. Daiker Jeanne Mattingly Miller John D. Schaperkotter Kathleen R. Sherby Douglas J. Stanley CAPES, SOKOL, GOODMAN & SARACHAN Lisa M. Adams Harvard W. Muhm CARMODY MACDONALD Leo H. MacDonald Jr. Kevin J. Williams DUBAIL JUDGE William Sitzer GREENSFELDER, HEMKER & GALE Jennifer Clump Davis Keith A. Herman Thomas H. Mug HUSCH BLACKWELL Raymond S. Kreienkamp Mark R. Leuchtmann Jill M. Palmquist Matthew G. Perlow James R. Strong JOHN DOOLING LAWYER John E. Dooling Jr. KIMBERLY N. SPRINGER, ATTORNEY AT LAW Kimberly N. Springer LATHROP GAGE Bennett S. Keller Scott H. Malin LEWIS RICE

Matthew J. Madsen Marian V. Mehan Jaime R. Mendez Michael D. Mulligan Albert S. Rose Joel L. Weeks

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POLSINELLI Kenneth E. Hand Adam W. Randle

HOYNE LAW FIRM

Andrew T. Hoyne RIEZMAN BERGER Robert G. Oesch

POLSINELLI Timothy R. McFadden

SANDBERG PHOENIX & VON GONTARD Patricia D. Gray Edward F. Reilly James Rixey Ruffin SHANDS, ELBERT, GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM Franklin F. Wallis

THOMPSON COBURN Thomas A. Litz Christopher B. Reid Frederick R. Strasheim

WATER LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE George M. von Stamwitz

STINSON Charles A. Redd SUMMERS COMPTON WELLS William H. Hobson Gary E. True

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW– CLAIMANTS

THOMPSON COBURN Thomas R. Corbett Stephen E. Cupples Jacqueline A. Dimmitt Laura M. Duncan Steven B. Gorin Lawrence P. Katzenstein Jason P. Thein

GLASS & KOREIN Michael H. Korein MANDEL & MANDEL Alan S. Mandel

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW–EMPLOYERS

THURMAN LAW FIRM John W. Howald

ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Wilbur L. Tomlinson

WREN BOTTINI Nichole Y. Wren

HARRIS DOWELL FISHER & YOUNG J. Bradley Young

UTILITIES LAW ARMSTRONG TEASDALE Timothy J. Tryniecki

KNAPP, OHL & GREEN L. David Green MCANANY, VAN CLEAVE & PHILLIPS Stephen A. McManus

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P U R E LY P E E R R E V I E W TM

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AIR CRAFT The money experts are eyeing pr ivat i ze d operation of St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

Will it fly ? by

JEANNETTE COOPERMAN

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Yo u’ r e flying off to an island for a week of blissful relaxation. You shove your bag overhead, slip into your seat, order a celebratory cocktail, and open John Grisham’s latest thriller.

The guy in the window seat starts talking. He’s a lobbyist hired to educate people about airport privatization, and he’s pumped. “Finally, St. Louis has a chance to be in the forefront, to be innovative,” he says. “We can capitalize on our biggest asset and sweep up all those dollars we leave on the table. This is the cash influx the city desperately needs.”

A little hiss, like steam escaping, comes from the guy in the aisle seat. He’s been fighting privatization for months. “Our airport is well run, its credit rating has gone up, and its numbers are better every year,” he says. “Why hand over the city’s best asset to some big corporation that just wants profit for its shareholders?”

A Privatization Primer Over the past 22 months, the basics have become clear.

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“Because these multinational operators have negotiating power,” the lobbyist fires back, “and we could pay off the airport’s $630 million in debt. Surrounding land could be developed. We could have more carriers, more connections, more cargo, better concessions…”

“And if the operator ruins our airport?”

By now, the ice has melted into your long-awaited scotch and Grisham has fallen under the seat in front of you. Leave him there. Who needs invented conflict?

Airport privatization is not strictly a St. Louis issue; these arguments are taking place all over the world (see p. 106).

But the way it’s unfolding here? “It’s so St. Louis,” remarks someone close to the deal. The city is David surrounded

by Goliaths; the aldermen are staking out their own turf; the C-suite is pushing free market; the mayor’s agreeing, but ever so tentatively; consultants are taking baby steps to make privatization palatable. The prospect of a cash influx is dazzling some, inspiring long wish lists. Others are indignant at the perceived insult to hardworking civil servants; furious at the closed-door, big-money process; fearful of innovation that could tip into disaster.

For those whose minds are not already made up, it’s hard to know what to think.

There’s something satisfying about refusing to be bought, something stolid about refusing to think bigger. Public opinion won’t hinge on data anyway; there are too many unknowns. Where St. Louisans land will be a matter of whom they trust, how they envision the city’s future, and how they want the world to run.

Whatever the outcome, the process itself deserves a little deconstruction.

1. Privatization is a lease, not a sale. The city would still own St. Louis Lambert International Airport but would not make day-to-day decisions about its operation.

2. Privatization would

have to be greenlit by the FAA and the airlines (chief among them Southwest, about 60 percent of Lambert’s traffi ).

Next, a privatization lease would need to be approved by a vote of the three-seat Board of Estimate and Apportionment.

PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF

The idea of privatizing Lambert’s operation first cropped up in 2015, in a conversation between Mayor Francis Slay and David Agnew, a managing director with Macquarie Group, an Australia-based investment banking company that’s heavily involved in privatization projects around the world— and would become one of Lambert’s prospective bidders.

Slay was intrigued but knew the city didn’t have extra cash to fund an exploration. So he called Rex Sinquefield, a

3. Opponents of privatization, in the hope of stopping the process, are demanding a public vote right now. Proponents of privatization don’t want a public vote, even after a bidder is chosen, because knowing the agreement could be scotched at the last minute could discourage corporations.

4. The consultants exploring privatization are being paid

by Rex Sinquefield, who donated the cash to a nonprofit called Grow Missouri. If a deal is not struck, he’s out millions. If the deal goes through, part of the lump-sum payment to the city will reimburse Grow Missouri costs and throw in a bonus.

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Photography by Edi_Eco / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Images, courtesy of Google Earth

ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

free-market libertarian who’s all for privatizing revenue streams instead of relying on local taxes. They met at the chessthemed Kingside Diner, and Sinquefield brought his lobbyist Travis Brown. Slay later assured the Riverfront Times that Sinquefield had expressed no desire to profit from the airport project—although he had suggested that an influx of cash might make St. Louis more willing to repeal the earnings tax.

Slay and his former chief of staff, Jeff Rainford, began studying airport privatization. Slay completed the application to the FAA in 2017, late in his term as

mayor. The FAA was definitely on board: In March, ProPublica reported that in 2017, when Dan Elwell was a consultant for the FAA (he is now deputy administrator), he emailed JetBlue executives, asking whether the airline had “any luck finding a JetBlue exec we can throw to the lions, er, I mean, introduce to a nice reporter to say nice things about airport privatization?” According to ProPublica, “JetBlue, the airline lobbyist, and the FAA then coordinated on talking points for a story about privatizing management of St. Louis Lambert International Airport.”

Once out of office, in 2018, Slay took a

5. With privatization,

7. The airport’s remain-

the Board of Aldermen would lose its control over daily operations, as would the airport commission, the mayor, and comptroller. The city could retain the right to take back control of the airport if certain conditions were not met.

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6. About 700 airport employees would be directly affected by privatization, by Comptroller Darlene Green’s estimate, because they are employed by or contracted with the city.

ing $630 million in debt was incurred when Lambert built a great big $1 billion runway, only to be dehubbed by American Airlines (which had absorbed the bankrupt TWA). Income from airline fees is being used to slowly pay down the debt.

8. Because Lambert is an enterprise fund, it’s a closed circle, supported by airline user fees, concessions, and federal funds. No city tax dollars may be used.

If you haven’t bought a latte or a plane ticket or rented a parking space, you’ve contributed nothing to Lambert’s operations or its debt.

gig as a lobbyist for Ferrovial, a Spanish multinational that’s another likely bidder to run Lambert. Longtime lobbyist John Bardgett also went to work for Ferrovial; meanwhile, his firm won a contract to lobby for the city. Rainford became a lobbyist for Oaktree Capital Management, yet another likely Lambert bidder. (Rainford de-registered this past May.) To lead the exploration, Sinquefield funded a nonprofit called Grow Missouri and made Brown its president. At that point, Brown’s political consulting firm, Pelopidas, was also helping put together the Better Together campaign, and airport privatization meshed well with the plan to reunite St. Louis city and county. An airport that was an island in the county, owned by the city, didn’t sit well with county power brokers, and the city would be far more attractive to the county if, instead of dragging $630 million in airport debt to the party, it brought a gift-wrapped bundle of cash. Even if that cash still technically belonged to the city, it would be managed, in Better Together’s proposed model, by a board that would be appointed and overseen by the “metro mayor”—who at the time was expected to be former County Executive Steve Stenger.

Over time, however, there was growing resistance to Better Together—and to airport privatization. Sinquefield declined to comment, through his chief of staff: Mary Ellen Ponder, who was Slay’s second-to-

9. The city receives about $7 million a year from Lambert, because it’s one of 12 airports grandfathered by the FAA to receive a percentage of revenue. The amount is capped by a federal formula and won’t grow much larger. With privatization, it would go away altogether.

10. St. Louis would be the third U.S. city to privatize airport operations; the first, New York Stewart International Airport, is no longer privatized, and the second is in Puerto Rico.

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last chief of staff. Her husband worked briefly for Stenger, who described him, according to the feds’ sentencing memorandum when Stenger was indicted for criminal conduct, as “an insurance policy.

His wife is working for Rex.” Slay was on the board for the organization behind Better Together; so were Rainford and Jeff Aboussie. As noted by St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger, Aboussie then became a lobbyist for the city—and for another Sinquefield organization, Great St. Louis, which donated money to a PAC that pushed against amendments to limit the power of the county executive. Aboussie also lobbied for The Kelley Group, political consultants who helped put both Stenger and Slay’s successor, Mayor Lyda Krewson, into office. Ed Rhode, who’s close to Kelley Group founder Mike Kelley, was an advisor to Krewson and a spokesman for Stenger and now works for Pelopidas, as does Tom Dempsey, another city lobbyist.

It’s like Paramount Pictures in the old days, when the same actors starred in all the different movies.

CABIN PRESSURE

Sinquefield funded Grow Missouri to pay a team of consultants to analyze Lambert’s prospects. Grow Missouri set up an RFP (request for proposal) process— then won the RFP, which was awarded by a selection committee of city officials in January 2018.

Losing bidders protested what they called the “significant conflict of interest” (Credit Suisse Securities) and “perverse incentives for advisors” (Ernst & Young) “to try to close the matter ‘at all costs’” (Faegre Baker Daniels). The city says Grow Missouri and California firm P3 Point were the only two that offered a “fully comprehensive bid.” P3 Point’s founding president, Mike Palmieri, still isn’t sure what the city meant: “Maybe we had all the paperwork filled out? We never saw the 11 submittals. My interpretation was that the other bids were a man, his dog, and a Cessna. We already had that full team together, ready to go.

Grow Missouri did not.”

The structure of the RFP still makes Palmieri shake his head: “When the tender for advisors came out, it said we won’t pay you a dime for any of your work until

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we reach financial close, and if the day before, we change our mind, you don’t get a dime. Personally, I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve seen it in real estate, where you are brokering a company, but this is much more complex.”

Imagine, he suggests, that a week before signing the deal—after months of negotiations—your preferred bidder says its investors need a higher return and changes the terms. An advisor might be tempted to tell the client it’s still a good deal, just to keep it moving. Or, “instead of doing 38 different types of analysis to show all the risks and impacts, you might only do six, because you know the whole thing could be canceled at any time.”

Instead of an all-or-nothing contract paying a percentage of the deal, Palmieri offered the city off-ramps: “We will do the first $100,000 worth of work, and you can see what you think,” then opt to continue or stop. “At least that way, you will be getting unbiased, independent advice.”

The city preferred Sinquefield’s model, which cost nothing unless a deal resulted.

Sinquefield may not expect a profit, but the firm he co-founded, Dimensional Fund Advisors, is well aware of the opportunities of privatization. In his Post column, Messenger reported that DFA bought shares of Moelis (now a consultant for Grow Missouri) in 2015 and of Macquarie in 2016. Because the shares only represented a sliver of DFA’s portfolio, Krewson wasn’t bothered by the connection.

As of June 30, though, DFA is also one of the large institutional shareholders in Southwest Airlines, owning more than 5 million shares. Tech News Observer reported that DFA “grew its position by 37.7 percent during the fourth quarter.”

Pockets of Turbulence The federal government first created an airport privatization program in 1997, but there were only a few takers. Since then, there have been a few false starts.

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

CHANGING COURSE

The first time Aldermanic President Lewis Reed heard the idea of airport privatization was spring 2017, when the mayor called from D.C. He and Brown had just left the FAA office, and Slay wanted Reed to know that he was working on a way to capture revenue through the airport. Reed’s gut reaction? “Well, that’s something I would not support.” But in the weeks that followed, he thought, “We have a murder rate that’s out of control.

We have an aging infrastructure and this slide of major corporations leaving—for

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Photography by arinahabich / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Images

NEW YORK STEWART INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Formerly Stewart International, the airport was the first in the U.S. to be privatized. In 2000, it was sold for $35 million to National Express to free up some public money. Under National Express, operating expenses per boarding passenger rose sharply; meanwhile, the corporation changed strategy and began buying school bus companies instead. In 2007, it sold the airport back for $78.5 million. Stewart is now run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which approved a 10-year capital funding of $500 million for airport development.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY AIRPORT In 2016, the county executive proposed leasing this New York airport to Oaktree Capital for $150 million over 40 years. He gave legislators one month to decide. Fuming, they insisted on open bidding. In 2017, Macquarie was selected to run the airport for $1.145 billion over 40 years. The new county executive took offi e, he braked anyway; Westchester has since withdrawn its application to the FAA. LUIS MUÑOZ MARÍN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT When it went private, in 2013, Puerto Rico’s governor was frank about the necessity: “Right now, the Port Authority has zero dollars to invest in this airport. If this deal wouldn’t have gone through... there would be no money to pay our salary.” Puerto Rico received $615 million up front and a 40-year

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contract promising revenue-sharing and an additional $1.4 billion in sorely needed improvements.

It expanded capacity, brought all activity into a single terminal, and increased security checkpoints to reduce costs and wait times. Retail shifted from tchotchkes to luxury goods. Between January and August of this year, the airport’s total passenger influx increased by 11.4 percent, reaching 6.5 million. But skeptics still warn of “consultants and lawyers connected both to the government and to prospective bidders. The web they weave is thick and strong,” according to a Puerto Rican academic, Juan Giusti-Cordero, in an op-ed published in the Post. “Agencies steering the airport privatization contracted with advisers who later became bidders, such as Macquarie Capital USA,” he noted. “Our airport has become just one more commodity in a fast-moving global financial market. Its contract has already changed hands on two occasions, as per the whims of investors.”

owner can expect from Midway travelers, typically budget-minded vacationers flying discount carrier Southwest Airlines,” the article concluded, quoting Steve Steckler, chairman of infrastructure at a Maryland asset valuation firm: “You can open a fur salon and hope they all buy a fur coat, but there’s a limit.”

The 2008 recession canceled Chicago’s privatization effort anyway. Three years later, Mayor Rahm Emanuel was elected—on a ticket that emphatically did not favor privatization. But Emanuel “began to soften that position in the face of ever increasing requests from the FAA, which was keen to reallocate the ‘major hub’ category,” noted a CAPA article. (The federal program has limited slots for larger airports to privatize.) On the second round, in 2013, Midway wound up with only one bidder, a Ferrovial-Macquarie partnership—so Emanuel called off the deal. The Chicago Sun-Times quoted an inside source saying that the $2 billion bid “fell short of what city taxpayers deserve.”

CHICAGO MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The first time Midway tried privatization, the public was told that it could make as much as $3.5 billion. “To make such a deal pay, whoever ponies up that kind of cash for a 50-year lease will have to squeeze a lot more money out of the airport,” noted Crain’s Chicago Business in May 2008. “The key is to look for every opportunity to have more places to sell things” to a captive audience, said one source, an expert in aviation architecture. But “some wonder how much more shopping a private

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Many airports are creating partial P3s (publicprivate partnerships) to build and manage new terminals. But this summer, Denver’s airport pulled its contract with Ferrovial and took back construction management. Ferrovial blamed the substandard concrete it discovered for increased cost and time estimates. Airport CEO Kim Day told Business Monitor Online that the dispute went well beyond the concrete: “We are very far apart in terms of cost and schedule, and our values—prioritizing safety, the passengers’ experiences, and airline operations.”

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Alternate Routes Though U.S. airports have been reluctant to embrace privatization, that’s not the case elsewhere around the globe.

“The U.S. is the only country in the world that hasn’t had an environment that encourages airports to be businesses,” says Robert Aaronson, a privatization consultant who’s the former CEO of the Air Transport Association of America.

“When airports were first built, they were public works projects. Over the past 20 years, in the rest of the world, that philosophy has been dropped, because it’s become clear that airports generate significant revenue from parking, food and beverage, merchandise, what have you. But the U.S. has some peculiar laws: Airports cannot earn a profit. They can generate surpluses for future development, but they cannot earn a profit that can be used for any purpose.”

The rationale for privatization is that it can generate enough money to both improve the airports and provide cash for other city purposes. “U.S. airports haven’t had an incentive to change their structure and operate like a business,” Aaronson continues. “Passenger services have lagged behind the rest of the world until very recently. Now, they’re catching up”—he mentions Brooks Brothers merchandise and fine restaurants—“because they’re pretty well managed, and it’s professional pride and also feedback from the community. But in other places, it happened because of business incentives.”

London’s Heathrow is privately operated, as are the major airports in Paris, Beijing, and Sydney, and all of Saudi Arabia’s airports are in the process of privatizing. But the U.S. is very different, a decentralized patchwork without a comprehensive transportation plan and system. In Europe, small national governments owned the airports and didn’t want to be in the airport business. Here, ownership has been driven by local need, with municipal own-

reasons that include access to nonstop flights…” He softened, deciding to at least listen. But after Krewson took office, he heard nothing more about privatization.

Then, in January 2018, someone walked into his office with a binder-clipped stack of paper: the draft consultant agreement.

It named three consultants: Grow Missouri, Moelis & Company, and McKenna & Associates. They would form a working group—but with no requirement for open meetings or votes. “We could never

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ership, under a blanket of federal oversight. Our airport facility charge, for example, can’t exceed $4.50 by federal law, and our excise tax is 7.5 percent of the ticket price. At Heathrow, you can pay $172 in passenger duty and service charges; in Frankfurt, $104; at Charles de Gaulle, $65. Also, European governments don’t put grant funding into airports. The 457 public airports in the U.S. receive federal support, much of it for infrastructure on the airfields, plus huge tax breaks that wouldn’t happen overseas.

Wholesale privatization is most common with large airports; smaller, regional airports “tend to be structurally unprofitable,” according to Airports Council International Europe, and “are thus suitable to a more limited range of private operation.” The International Air Transport Association reported in 2018 that airport privatizations wind up more efficien , more profitable for the corporations running them, but “generally more expensive for users.” IATA’s director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, voiced frustration that the airport community seemed to accept the increased costs as normal; he blames inadequate regulatory oversight.

Regulations are also being called for to ensure effective crisis response.

Kansai International Airport was leading Japan’s privatization trend. But last year’s typhoon sent water over the seawall, inundating the runways and knocking out power. “The airport operator failed to respond swiftly to the crisis, causing serious confusion,” reported The Asahi Shimbun, noting that two corporations had 40 percent shares of airport management and there was “no clearly defined chain of command to deal with such emergencies.”

have a conversation or any engagement with those consultants at all,” realized Reed—who says that to this day he’s never spoken to Sinquefield.

Reed slammed on the brakes. He persuaded lawyers at Greenberg Traurig to look at the agreement pro bono. They recommended massive revisions; he ended up demanding 800 changes. “We look at this document as a boat with 800 holes in it,” he told the mayor. “For the city to get into this boat, they all need to be filled.”

It took months, but Reed prevailed.

Had he not, he’s convinced, “there would be this group operating with all the powers of the city, controlled by Grow Missouri, and we would have no idea what they were proposing.”

Next, Reed enlisted outside financial advisors at Stifel Nicolaus. He wanted teams at Greenberg and Stifel to receive whatever data would be presented to the working group and to offer an independent assessment.

10/7/19 12:06 PM

Illustration by pop_jop / DigitalVision Vectors / via Getty Images

Reed also demanded minority representation, and he recommended several firms, including Charbonnet & Associates, who had worked at Lambert before, and Jones Strategic Advisors, because Mike Jones had worked in public policy and economic development for both the city and county. “Bunny [Bernard Charbonnet] understands this airport inside and out,” Reed says, “and Mike Jones knows what he’s doing. Neither one of these guys are wallflowers. That takes that internal team and exposes it to the world.”

By summer, the FLY314 website scrolled photos of a diverse team of 41 consultants. “We have voluntarily incorporated minority businesses from day one,” Brown tells me.

Critics of the process note that all these consultants, regardless of race, are still being paid by Sinquefield. But proponents see no problem with the structure. because the final decision rests with the Board of Estimate & Apportionment, the aldermen, the airlines, and the FAA. The consulting firms are being paid about $800,000 a month, a total that prompted Elliott Davis to do one of his Fox2 “You Paid for It” segments. “Is this a good deal for the city of St. Louis?” he repeatedly asked Jones, who finally flashed back an annoyed “It’s a good deal for me.” But Jones’ pay is slim (in the second quarter of 2019, he collected $37,500) compared with, say, what Ricondo & Associates, an aviation consulting firm was paid: $568,995 that quarter.

Interviewed on KTRS, McKenna & Associates founding president Andrew McKenna, who is co-leading the exploration with Brown, said, “I have no problem walking away from a bad deal.” He added, “People who have a negative view on this, I ask them to just do their homework.” Where else, McKenna asked rhetorically, could St. Louis find this kind of cash? Challenged about the annual $9 million consulting expense, he dwarfed it by comparison to the salary of Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko. As for the contract’s structure, McKenna repeated other consultants’ frequent analogy to a real estate transaction.

Listening, Gerry Connolly, who calls himself “a government transparency watchdog,” rolled his eyes. How many real estate agents end up telling their clients not to move?

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CLOUD COVER

When the privatization idea first went public, in 2017, what was interesting was who wasn’t surprised. Stenger made a statement, as did then–mayoral candidate Krewson.

Airport director Rhonda HammNiebruegge reportedly knew nothing about the plans until Slay had already filed the application. “This is the first I’m hearing about this,” blurted city Comptroller Darlene Green. Reed says that when he got the first call, the media knew more than he did.

How successful has Reed been since in his fight for transparency?

Deputy mayor for development Linda Martínez and Alderwoman Marlene Davis, who chairs the transportation committee and serves on the working group, agreed to come on St. Louis Public Radio with Alderwoman Cara Spencer, who was skeptical about privatization—then canceled at the last minute. Martínez came on the air a few weeks later with budget director Paul Payne instead.

The working group has public meetings, but they’re sometimes as short as six minutes. Then the video camera is turned off and the public is shooed out.

The closed meetings that follow can last hours. Connolly faithfully goes to those brief public meetings. He grew up “in [Prime Minister Margaret] Thatcher’s Britain, and privatization was at the top of her agenda,” he says. “But airports are such huge operations, I’ve always perceived them as within the public jurisdiction. And right at the get-go, the clandestine nature of how the application was made and the structuring of the consultants only getting paid if the deal goes through—the process seemed ridden with conflicts.” He volunteered to help STL Not for Sale, a citizen action group that opposes privatization. The cycle was all too familiar: Because those with an agenda didn’t trust the public to not be obstructive, they worked behind locked doors. The public jiggled the doorknob, then sat down outside, fuming, and looked for a way to be obstructive.

Yet Brown calls the process’s public outreach and transparency “unparalleled and unprecedented,” noting a massive public survey conducted by a Grow Missouri communications consultant.

The team gathered 16,000 responses to eight questions about how often people travel, whether they’ve heard the idea of leasing the airport, what grade they’d give the airport, and whether they believe there’s room for improvement.

Activists point out that the survey did not ask what St. Louisans think about the risk of trading an annual $7 million for a one-time cash influx; whether they feel there’s been public access to clean, unbiased information; whether they’d like to see finer dining and more luxe goods or prefer a less expensive airport; whether they think privatization is worth the damage that might be done if a private manager fails.

Questioned on St. Louis Public Radio, Martínez said the consultants would not be making a written report of their findings available to the public.

A SKIRMISH IN MIDAIR

On June 13, 2018, the Board of E&A met.

The last item on the agenda was “a proposal to engage an advisor team for the purpose of considering whether or not we want to privatize the operation and management of the airport,” as Krewson put it. “We don’t know if we want to do that or not.” She emphasized repeatedly what a complicated process it would be: “We’ve engaged a team of professionals in order to guide us.”

“Running an airport is complicated, too,” Green pointed out dryly. She already knew she was the only no vote. But she pressed on, citing years of positive growth. Why bring in “a private leasor who’s not beholden to the citizens of our region?” she asked. Privately, she was convinced that people “became aware of how well-funded the airport is and how much of a plum it is, ripe for picking by a private investor.” Green worried that “the airport would be stripped to the bone, stripped of its cash.” She still hadn’t gotten over Krewson’s first stalling, then proposing an alternative, back when they had just weeks to spare, to gain a $29 million financial advantage by refinancing airport bonds. “She’d created a second option: to treat the new debt more like a mortgage so the savings wouldn’t show up in the next six years but [instead] over 30 years,” Green says. “That is not the structure that was pleasing Continued on p. 132

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2019 St. Louis

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Featured winners from our Five Star Professional Section FS • 1

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FIVE STAR AWARD WINNERS These days, it takes a village to manage your financial world.

Whether it is managing your assets with a wealth manager, navigating the ever-changing tax landscape, sorting out your estate and succession planning or picking the right life insurance, finding the right team can be a daunting task. In fact, many consumers have a hard time figuring out where to even begin.

Sometimes, a few simple questions can put you on the right path. Asking professionals what makes working with them a unique experience can help you understand how they work and if their style meshes with your own.

This is a great place to start! Five Star Professional uses its own proprietary research methodology to name outstanding professionals, then works with publications such as St. Louis Magazine to spread the word about award winners. Each award candidate undergoes a thorough research process (detailed here) before being considered for the final list of award winners. For the complete list of winners, go to www.fivestarprofessional.com.

RESEARCH DISCLOSURES In order to consider a broad population of high-quality wealth managers and investment professionals, award candidates are identified by one of three sources: firm nomination, peer nomination or prequalification based on industry standing. Self-nominations are not accepted. St. Louis award candidates were identified using internal and external research data. Candidates do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final lists of Five Star Wealth Managers or Five Star Investment Professionals.

• The Five Star award is not indicative of a professional’s future performance.

• Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets.

• The inclusion of a professional on the Five Star Wealth Manager list or the Five Star Investment Professional list should not be construed as an endorsement of the professional by Five Star Professional or St. Louis Magazine.

FIVE STAR PROFESSIONAL Proprietary Research Process Nomination of Candidates Three sources of nominations: – Pre-qualification based – Firm nominations on industry credentials – Peer nominations

Regulatory Consumer Complaint Review All candidates must demonstrate a favorable regulatory history.

Candidate Submission of Practice Information Candidates must complete either an online or over-the-phone interview.

• Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Investment Professional or any professional is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected professionals will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future.

• Five Star Professional is not an advisory firm and the content of this article should not be considered financial advice. For more information on the Five Star Wealth Manager or Five Star Investment Professional award programs, research and selection criteria, go to fivestarprofessional.com/research.

• 2,481 award candidates in the St. Louis area were considered for the Five Star Wealth Manager award.

185 (approximately 7% of the award candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers.

Evaluation of Candidate Practice Candidates are evaluated on 10 objective evaluation and eligibility criteria.

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER CRITERIA DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS

Award candidates who satisfied 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards. 5. Accepting new clients.

Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 6. One-year client retention rate. 7. Five-year client retention rate.

8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered. 9. Number of client households served. 10. Education and professional designations.

Regulatory Review: As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not: been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; been convicted of a felony. Within the past 11 years the wealth manager has not: been terminated from a wealth management or financial services firm; filed for personal bankruptcy; had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them (and no more than five total pending, dismissed or denied) with any regulatory authority.

Five Star Professional conducts a regulatory review of each nominated wealth manager using the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website. Five Star Professional also uses multiple supporting processes to help ensure that a favorable regulatory and complaint history exists. Data submitted through these processes was applied per the above criteria; each wealth manager who passes the Five Star Professional regulatory review must attest that they meet the definition of favorable regulatory history based upon the criteria listed above. Five Star Professional promotes via local advertising the opportunity for consumers to confidentially submit complaints regarding a wealth manager.

Firm Review of Award Candidate List All candidates are reviewed by a representative of their firm before final selection.

Finalization and Announcement of Winners

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Nicol Financial Services Left to right: 2019 winner Todd Groesch, Senior Financial Advisor; Eight-year winner Kevin G. Nicol, President, CEO, Founder; Six-year winner Chris Ziebold, Vice President, CCO; Not pictured: Eight-year winner Larry Lexow, Four-year winner Linda Nolan 1 Executive Park, P.O. Box 907 • Granite City, IL 62040 Phone: 618-931-3267 • Phone: 314-355-8376 • Toll-free: 888-GO-NICOL knicol@nicolfinancial.com • www.nicolfinancial.com

Established in 1981 by president, CEO and author Kevin Nicol, Nicol Financial Services (NFS) aims to help people achieve and maintain financial independence by educating and assisting them in the development of portfolios that would mirror the advisors’ own given the same set of circumstances. NFS provides necessary services including investments, insurance, portfolio and estate planning that any client’s unique financial situation may require. Associates offer a free initial consultation with a complimentary copy of Kevin’s highly acclaimed book, “Financial Priorities.”

Securities and investments are offered through: Nicol Investors Corporation (NIC, Member FINRA & SIPC); Nicol Advisors Corporation (NAC, a Registered Investment Advisor); and Kevin G. Nicol & Associates, Inc. (ASSOC, an insurance and financial services agency). NIC, NAC and ASSOC are subsidiaries of Nicol Enterprises, Inc. (NEI) dba Nicol Financial Services (NFS).

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

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Horseman Group Left to right: Jake Horseman; 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019 winner John Horseman; 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019 winner Bill Macher 3 Cityplace Drive, Suite 290 • St. Louis, MO 63141 Phone: 314-692-7842 Horsemangroup.com

For 40 years, John, Bill, Jake and the team at Horseman Group have helped clients plan for retirement, manage their money and leave legacies to their loved ones. They listen and provide holistic financial guidance and personal attention to each client. Horseman Group is committed to helping you enjoy your successful retirement.

Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

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WEALTH MANAGERS

George D. Peters Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

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YEAR WINNER Seated: Eight-year winner George D. Peters, Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Standing: Mary Vass, Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional; Kerry Bradley, Senior Registered Associate

The Peters Group Strives for Excellence in Wealth Management The Peters Group at Morgan Stanley works with individuals and families to help grow and preserve their wealth.

The Peters Group is focused on giving personalized investment advice and exceptional client service. They take the time to understand their clients’ financial objectives and to develop and execute a disciplined plan to help them achieve their personal investment goals.

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager George Peters simplifies his clients’ lives by offering advice that is tailored to each client’s needs and risk tolerance.

The Peters Group strives to know their clients well and to build long-lasting relationships.

The Peters Group at Morgan Stanley 7733 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 2100 • St. Louis, MO 63105 Direct: 314-726-5676 • Toll-free: 866-646-4705

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified finanCial Planner™, and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. ©2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC. Member SIPC. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC, its affiliates and Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax and legal advisers for tax, trust and estate planning matters. CRC2671147 08/19.

Wealth Manager Award Winner

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6.

One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

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WEALTH MANAGERS

Kyle Segelle MBA, CFP®, APMA®, Financial Advisor

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YEAR WINNER Left to right: Standing: Drake Walters, Planning Intern; Rebecca Meyer, Client Service Associate; 2018 and 2019 winner Kyle Segelle, MBA, CFP®, APMA®, Financial Advisor; Sue Getz, Client Service Manager; Tom Reynolds, CRPC®, Private Wealth Advisor; Michelle Clausius, Receptionist; Kim Keegan, Paraplanner; Wendy Castro, Client Service Associate; Seated: Brooke Shaw, Financial Advisor; Kelly Cenatiempo, Financial Advisor

With the Right Financial Advisor, Life Can Be Brilliant Prioritizing caring, friendly experiences Customized personal support with comprehensive advice and oversight 825 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 210 • Chesterfield, MO 63017 Phone: 314-446-0439 • kyle.m.segelle@ampf.com www.ameripriseadvisors.com/kyle.m.segelle

Building client confidence through education and understanding

We believe success should be measured not only by your financial well-being, but also by how confident you feel about your future. Our purpose is to help you develop a plan to work towards the goals and dreams of your future. Our goal is to deliver a customized, comprehensive, caring and friendly experience with each interaction. Through personalized support, planning, tracking progress toward your goals and helping you better understand the impact of your financial decisions, we help equip you for success in both finance and life alike.

Investors should conduct their own evaluation of a financial professional as working with a financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial success. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. Wealth Manager Award Winner

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6.

One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

FS • 6

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEALTH MANAGERS

Timothy Ward AIF®, President

5

YEAR WINNER Left to right: Chrisann Jones; Five-year winner Timothy Ward, AIF®, President; Alexander Hoover; Vickie Ward

A Team for a Time Like This Engaging, listening, understanding Defining, researching, selecting 16759 Main Street, Suite 215 • Wildwood, MO 63040 Phone: 636-821-2200 • timward@legendsfinancialservices.com www.legendsfinancialservices.com • @TWLegends

Recommending, executing, communicating

When planning for your future, it’s important to seek the help of a trusted, qualified financial advisor who sees the big picture of your life and the season you are in, as well as your financial circumstances. Tim Ward and his team listen and understand your life goals before developing financial plans. The result is a plan, driven by knowledge and technology, created just for you to keep you on track going forward.

The financial arena has grown increasingly complicated. These complexities, when unraveled, can provide you with greater opportunities than ever before. Tim built his team and his processes to relieve you of the anxieties associated with your financial planning. You are at the center of your team within Legends Financial Services Group. You receive timely, solid, objective advice, backed by meaningful information and research with easy access to the investments and services that fit your circumstances. All of this is shared and executed in a comfortable environment where your trust will grow with every encounter.

Tim and the Legends team help you become comfortable not only with the planning process but also with your financial future. Meet your team at Legends Financial Services Group today.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Cornerstone Wealth Management, LLC a registered investment advisor.

Legends Financial Services Group, LLC and Cornerstone Wealth Management, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.

Wealth Manager Award Winner

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6.

One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

FS • 7

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEALTH MANAGERS

Debra Light and Jeff Rainwater Your Story, Your Goals, Your Advocate Congratulations to Debra Light for being a seven-year Five Star Wealth Manager award recipient Congratulations to Jeffrey Rainwater for being a 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager award recipient

7

YEAR WINNER Left to right: 2019 winner Jeffrey Rainwater; Seven-year winner Debra Light; Crystal Reinhold, Client Service Associate

Putting the client first has always been our purpose. As a senior wealth manager of 24 years, Debra has dedicated her practice to helping families define, achieve and maintain financial security. “Never for one moment do I take for granted the trust placed in me — especially in these challenging times,” she said.

Jeff and Debra have been working together to assist clients live their dreams through comprehensive, tailored, objective advice.

1401 South Brentwood Boulevard, Suite 375 • St. Louis, MO 63144 Office: 314-227-2466 • debra.light@marinerwealthadvisors.com www.marinerwealthadvisors.com

Mariner, LLC dba Mariner Wealth Advisors (“MWA”) is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in the State of Kansas. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For additional information about MWA, including fees and services, please contact MWA or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).

Wealth Manager Award Winner

Gregory E. Robinson Financial Advisor

Helping People Build, Protect and Transfer Wealth Independent financial advice Personalized investment management

6

YEAR WINNER Left to right: Brenda J. Moore; Six-year winner Gregory E. Robinson, J.D.; Rebekah L. Chapman

Estate Planning and Wealth Strategies, Inc. 1422 Elbridge Payne Road, Suite 170 • Chesterfield, MO 63017 Phone: 636-532-1562 • greg@stlwealthstrategies.com www.stlwealthstrategies.com • Facebook: Estate Planning & Wealth Strategies, Inc.

Helping people build, protect and transfer their wealth requires a disciplined, long-term investment plan. Your investment plan should be customized and tailored to your specific goals and objectives; however, it should be flexible enough to evolve with you over the course of your lifetime. Gregory E. Robinson is the president of Estate Planning and Wealth Strategies, Inc. He has the experience to offer you independent financial advice and assist you in developing an investment strategy that is appropriate for you and your loved ones.

Registered Representative, securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Estate Planning and Wealth Strategies, Inc., are not affiliated. To receive the Five Star Wealth Manager award, individuals must satisfy a series of eligibility and evaluation criteria associated with wealth managers who provide services to clients.

Recipients are identified through research conducted by industry peers and firms. Third-party rankings and recognitions from rating services or publications are not indicative of past or future investment performance. For more information, go to www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Wealth Manager Award Winner

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6.

One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

FS • 8

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEALTH MANAGERS John E. “Jack” Burke

Susan Sommer

CRPC®, Financial Advisor

CFP®, CFS®

Sommer Investments 1395 Triad Center Drive St. Peters, MO 63376 Phone: 636-441-1700 susan@sommerinvestments.com sommerinvestments.com

118 North Second Street, Suite 302 St. Charles, MO 63301 Office: 636-940-5409 john.e.burke@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/john.e.burke

7

YEAR WINNER

I’ll Help You Prepare for the Expected — and the Unexpected

∙ 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager ∙ Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM ∙ 21 years of financial industry experience ∙ Serving your unique financial goals The future looks brighter when you’re more prepared. I’ll help you plan for what you and your family expect to achieve in life — and any changes you may encounter along the way. Over time, we’ll work together to help you achieve what matters most. Let me help you gain the freedom to live financially confident and in control.

8

We Plan on You Retiring

YEAR WINNER

∙ Dedicated to your financial success ∙ 2012 – 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager If you have received an inheritance or retired from a job, you may have a lump sum you wish to invest, but need help determining how to begin. Our goal is to provide you with information on designing an investment strategy that may allow you to sleep easy at night. We also strive to optimize returns for your risk tolerance.

If you would like to discuss investment options, please contact us.

Investors should conduct their own evaluation of a financial professional as working with a financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial success. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through BEAM Asset Management, LLC. Securities America, Inc., BEAM Asset Management, LLC and Sommer Investments, LLC are separate entities.

Wealth Manager Award Winner

Wealth Manager Award Winner

William N. Maxson

Matthew Claus

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CFS®

Financial Consultant

10845 Olive Boulevard, Suite 190 St. Louis, MO 63141 Phone: 314-918-8080 bmaxson@theamericagroup.com www.theamericagroup.com

7

YEAR WINNER

Comprehensive Financial Planning From a Team of Advisors

∙ Broad range of expertise and experience ∙ Serving clients for more than 30 years ∙ Assists in navigating financial waters Bill Maxson and The America Group Team of more than 25 advisors have been working together to assist their clients in solving financial problems since 1982. We believe solutions lie not in any product, but through an implementation of a comprehensive, individualized plan. We have expertise in both wealth management and protection strategies to assist clients in navigating their entire financial future.

625 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 100 St. Louis, MO 63141 Phone: 314-783-4213 matthew.claus@thrivent.com

3

YEAR WINNER

Connecting Faith & Finances for Good®

Matthew’s purpose is to serve his clients by guiding them to be wise with money and live generously. He believes that all we have is a gift from God and that generosity is an expression of faith. He succeeds when his clients, their families and communities thrive. Matthew has built a reputation for providing knowledgeable, well-researched advice to his clients. His main focus is in the area of retirement distribution planning with an eye on investment and tax efficiencies.

Securities offered through The O.N. Equity Sales Company, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services provided through O.N. Investment Management Company.

Thrivent and its financial professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Wealth Manager Award Winner

Wealth Manager Award Winner

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6.

One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

FS • 9

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEALTH MANAGERS William L. Meyer

Duane M. Roth

AIF®, ChFC®, CLU®

15415 Clayton Road Ballwin, MO 63011 Phone: 636-537-8770 wlmeyer@cutterco.com www.cutterco.com

Cutter & Company, Inc. 7

YEAR WINNER

∙ Over 35 years of financial expertise

Founder, President

4925 Stone Falls Center O’Fallon, IL 62269 Phone: 618-632-7684 duane@therothcompanies.com www.therothcompanies.com

5

YEAR WINNER

Member FINRA, MSRB, SIPC.

Duane M. Roth, founder of The Roth Companies, Inc., started the firm in 2004 to help people navigate today’s complex financial landscape. Duane helps clients create lifelong financial security using a full spectrum of resources, so they can be prepared. We offer wealth management, retirement, investments, taxes, insurance, estate planning and business advisory services.

Securities offered through United Planners Financial Services, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through RDA Financial Network, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. RDA Financial Network DBA The Roth Companies, Inc., United Planners and RDA Financial Network and The Roth Companies, Inc. are separate entities.

Wealth Manager Award Winner

Wealth Manager Award Winner

I work like a financial physician by diagnosing the monetary positions of businesses and families, then subsequently provide remedies to problems or ideas to improve their wealth and to create effective, tax-efficient transfers to others.

Put my 35 years of experience to work for you!

Gary N. Kwawer

Mike Clark

Financial Advisor, Senior Vice President – Investment Officer

10369 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63131 Office: 314-991-7853 gary.kwawer@wellsfargoadvisors.com www.garykwawer.wfadv.com

6

YEAR WINNER

∙ 2012 – 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager

Senior Wealth Advisor

1405 North Green Mount Road, Suite 500 O’Fallon, IL 62269 Phone: 618-726-3011 mike.clark@vwa-llc.com www.visionarywealthadvisors.com

2

YEAR WINNER

Gary began his investment industry adventure in 1988. An inveterate polymath, he focuses on helping a diverse client base manage their assets to achieve life goals by embracing strategies that are as individual and dynamic as they are.

∙ 2018 – 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager

Mike Clark joined Visionary Wealth Advisors to help provide clarity and peace of mind to his clients. He strives to know his clients on a personal level and understand their desires for the future. With his passion for helping others, Mike works diligently to try and make those goals and dreams a reality.

Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC. [CAR-0819-05464].

Visionary Wealth Advisors, LLC (“VWA” or the “Firm”) is a registered investment adviser with offices in Missouri and Illinois.

Wealth Manager Award Winner

Wealth Manager Award Winner

All award winners are listed in this publication.

Financial Planning Steven Bione ∙ First Command Financial Planning Michael R. Brown ∙ Krilogy Financial Ruth Auer Chady ∙ Financial & Business Consultants

William S. Kallaos Jr. ∙ Cornerstone Wealth Management

Douglas Voss ∙ Voss Financial Services

James Moore ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors

Kevin Landy ∙ Merrill Lynch

Timothy Ward ∙ Legends Financial Services Group, LLC Page 7

Kevin G. Nicol ∙ Nicol Financial Services Page 3

Debra Light ∙ Mariner Wealth Advisors Page 8

Investments

Jeremy D. North ∙ 360 IRA

Bill Macher ∙ Horseman Group Page 4

Michael Clark ∙ Visionary Wealth Advisors Page 10

William N. Maxson ∙ The America Group Page 9

Matthew Claus ∙ Thrivent Financial Page 9

Mark W. Minton ∙ Cornerstone Wealth Management

Richard Collop ∙ Visionary Wealth Advisors Bob Engert ∙ Edward Jones Donald J. Fitzgerald ∙ Synergy Wealth Solutions

Kristin Poole ∙ Krilogy Financial Jeffrey Rainwater ∙ Mariner Wealth Advisors Page 8

David Allen Adam ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors Brock Ayers ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors John E. Burke ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Page 9 John M. Carter ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors Joseph Aloysius Coleman ∙ Joseph Financial, LLC Troy Hedman ∙ Visionary Wealth Advisors

Gene O’Dell ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors Joseph Pesnell ∙ Frontier Wealth Management George D. Peters ∙ Morgan Stanley Page 5 Gregory E. Robinson ∙ Estate Planning and Wealth Strategies, Inc. Page 8 Duane M. Roth ∙ The Roth Companies, Inc. Page 10 Michelle Daniels Sabo ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors Rick Salus ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors

Stephen Green ∙ Krilogy Financial

Stephen Douglas Robbins ∙ Steve Robbins, CFP®

Charles Dennis Kemper ∙ Frontier Wealth Management

Kevin Robert Grelle ∙ RFG Advisory

Charles P. Schulz ∙ Krilogy Financial

Michael Haverstick ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Laura Scobee ∙ Vertical Financial Group

Gary N. Kwawer ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors Page 10

Bradley Stiegemeier ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Thomas Lennartz ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors

Carolynn Vasel ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

John Drew Henry ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. John Horseman ∙ Horseman Group Page 4

Kyle Segelle ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Page 6 Susan Sommer ∙ Sommer Investments Page 9 Dale W. Terrell ∙ RFG Advisory

Sheri McCann ∙ Morgan Stanley Scott C. Meine ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors William L. Meyer ∙ Cutter & Company, Inc. Page 10

Curt Sawyer ∙ Sawyer Capital Management

Bob Wacker ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors Kelly S. Waller ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors Continued on FS-11

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6.

One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,481 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 185 (7% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2018: 2,533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

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S P EC IA L A DV E R T IS IN G S EC T IO N

LEADERS IN LAW These local firms represent knowledge and experience in different areas of laws. Use the following pages as an additional tool in your search for quality legal representation.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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LEADERS IN LAW

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Hais, Hais & Goldberger FULL-SERVICE FAMILY LAW Hais, Hais & Goldberger is a full-service family law firm, limiting its practice to complex divorce cases and modifications of decrees, custody, property division and support, business and professional practice valuations, stock options, tax-related divorce issues, pension problems, and enforcement of decrees. Its core staff of full-time attorneys and paralegals has provided in-depth client services, meticulous case preparation, and complete litigation management throughout the firm’s 38-year history. Additionally, the firm employs an extended group of financial experts, tax– and pension–benefits professionals, therapists, psychologists, and vocational experts to provide the highest level of preparation possible in its trial presentations.

Since launching the firm in 1979, founder Susan M. Hais has represented many of St. Louis’ most prominent citizens from a great variety of professions and occupations, and has been personally responsible for the establishment of an impressive array of legal precedents in the areas of divorce law, child custody, benefits, grandparents’ rights, property division, and spousal support.

Before joining the firm, Samuel J. Hais was a judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit, St. Louis County, where he was a founding member and judge of the Family Court of St. Louis County for many years.

Samuel and Susan have both written and lectured extensively in the area of family law. In 2007, the firm was proud to welcome partner Elliot Goldberger, who has practiced law for more than 25 years, concentrating on family law.

Dzenana Delic received her bachelor’s degree from Maryville University. She graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law. During her time in law school, Dzenana served as a certified legal intern in Indiana and Illinois representing indigent clients in criminal law matters and was a participant in National Trial Advocacy Competitions.

She recently made partner in the firm.

Diana R. Mallon graduated from Washington University School of Law and Gonzaga University. She is a creative attorney with extensive training in social work and experience addressing family issues and finding compromises. She is a skilled negotiator, confident in litigation, and is particularly focused on working with clients in high-stress situations.

Caitlin Keene graduated from University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law and Baylor University. Most recently, she was the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office.

While there, she individually managed the Child Support Enforcement Office with a case load of more than 300 individuals, prepared case strategy for jury trials and probation violation hearings, and established paternity for the purpose of enforcing child support.

Daniel Zdrodowski is an experienced civil litigator who is not afraid to take on novel or unique legal issues. He is licensed in both Missouri and Illinois and has practiced in every court in the Greater St. Louis area.

The guiding principle of Hais, Hais & Goldberger has always been to provide services in the practice area of family law in the most effective manner, with the utmost level of professional integrity, at the fairest and most reasonable cost. The practice keeps as its credo the words of Abraham Lincoln: “Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith, let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.”

Samuel J. Hais and Susan M. Hais

222 S. Central Avenue, Ste. 600 Clayton, MO 63105 314-326-4885 hhg-law.com

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C. BUSINESS & FAMILY LAW Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C. is proud to celebrate 25 years of service to the Greater St. Louis area. The firm is unique in that, from its founding, it has been at the forefront of women in the legal profession while remaining a smaller firm with a scope of services typically seen in much larger firms. The practice has thrived for 25 years by always placing the clients’ needs first and striving for a reputation of practicing to the highest ethical standards with a thoroughness of preparation.

In January 1994, after months of planning and preparation, Don Paule, Alisse Camazine, and Tom Blumenthal, along with 12 other lawyers, formed this firm with the goal of providing high-quality

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representation in a wide range of practice areas, including estate planning, probate, business, civil litigation, and family law.

Twenty-five years later, Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal has grown to 31 lawyers and has expanded its areas of practice to include immigration, real estate, insurance defense, municipal law, intellectual property, assisted reproduction technology, alternative dispute resolution, and elder and disability law.

The attorneys of Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal look forward to many more years of providing a broad spectrum of legal services to the community while maintaining the integrity and personal service that have become the hallmark of the firm.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

10/3/19 4:00 PM

S P EC IA L A DV E R T IS IN G S EC T IO N

165 N. Meramec Avenue, Ste. 110 St. Louis, MO 63105 314-727-2266 1001 Boardwalk Springs Place, Ste. 111 O’Fallon, MO 63368 636-443-2050 pcblawfirm.com

SEATED, LEFT TO RIGHT: Donald W. Paule, Alisse C. Camazine, Thomas M. Blumenthal; STANDING: Lauren E. Surdyke, Melissa G. Nolan, Eleanore I. Palozola, Kathryn L. Dudley, D. Keith Henson, Douglas R. Thornburg, Samantha B. Jones, Carl M. Markus, Bruce E. Friedman, Patricia L. Bland, Amy R. Johnson, Tim Schlesinger, Lisa G. Moore, Alan E. Freed, Lauren A. Gearhart, Amy Hoch Hogenson, Allison Schreiber Lee, Susan E. Block, Bernard W. Gerdelman, Debra K. Schuster, Bradley J. Sylwester; NOT PICTURED: Michael E. Bub, Joann N. Dyroff, Frederick B. Kruger, Aaron L. Rankin, Barton E. Saettele, David M. Slaby, Morgan E. Roehrig

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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LEADERS IN LAW

S P EC IA L A DVE R T I S I NG S EC T I O N

Henry Miller (Grant, Miller & Smith, LLC) FULL-SERVICE FAMILY LAW

Henry (Hank) Miller

7733 Forsyth Boulevard, Ste. 1850 Clayton, MO 63105 314-721-6677 grantmillersmith.com

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Henry “Hank” Miller has been practicing law since 1999. He approaches each case with the same basic premise: start from a reasonable position and work towards an amicable resolution. This is especially important in cases involving child custody. When parents decide to get divorced, kids are thrust into a difficult situation they did not create. They are already being pulled in two directions; we cannot make it harder on them by forcing them to choose sides. Parents owe it to their kids to do everything they can to maintain an environment where their kids feel allowed to love each parent. No matter what their differences, Hank encourages parents to interact respectfully with each other during and after the divorce.

Remember, you are the adults and your children are watching.

Hank has been involved in hundreds of child custody matters, and has witnessed how a disrespectful divorce “battle” can affect children. That’s why he makes children his first priority in any family law matter. Additionally, when two people approach their divorce or other family law matter as though it is a war, it only results in higher fees and the only people who benefit are the attorneys.

That being said, divorces can be very contentious and heavily litigated. The stakes are very high.

Decisions are being made regarding child custody and disposition of assets people have worked very hard to acquire. Family businesses must be valued and addressed. Retirement, college savings, and investments must be divided between the parties. Hank and his law partners, William Grant and Gregory Smith, bring more than 70 years of combined experience to the table. No matter how complex a marital estate is, Hank has the knowledge, experience, and resources needed to obtain the best possible result.

Hank has been named a Missouri Super Lawyer ® for many years. He concentrates his practice on family law matters of all kinds, including divorce, child custody, modification of a previous judgment, paternity, child support, adoption, and matters involving the juvenile (family) court. He has helped clients achieve the right result in both state and federal court for more than 20 years. If you have a family law matter or would like to know more about your options, contact Hank at 314-721-6677.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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SPECIAL ADV ER TI S I N G S ECTI ON

Michael Gross Law Office APPELLATE COUNSEL FOR BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS

Michael Gross

Michael Gross is an appellate lawyer. He has represented clients successfully in the Missouri Supreme Court, the Missouri Court of Appeals, the United States Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. From bet-the-business corporate litigation to high-stakes divorce cases to white-collar crime and beyond, Mr. Gross has taken part in appeals from coast to coast.

Trial attorneys frequently turn to Michael Gross to defend large judgments they have won in trial courts. He also assists trial lawyers in optimizing their cases for mediation, writing briefs for critical trial court proceedings, and providing research and guidance before a case is filed. Mr. Gross maintains a one-lawyer office and is often opposed by attorneys from the largest law firms or the United States Department of Justice.

After graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, Mr. Gross served as law clerk to Chief Judge Marion C. Matthes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He has spoken to lawyers about appellate practice at many continuing legal education programs.

231 S. Bemiston Ave, Ste. 250, St. Louis, MO 63105 314-863-5887 | grossbriefs.com

Growe Eisen Karlen Eilerts FULL-SERVICE FAMILY LAW

Mathew Eilerts and Gary Growe

Gary Growe and Mat Eilerts are proud to be selected for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Growe and Eilerts, along with the highly rated and respected partners at Growe Eisen Karlen Eilerts, offer clients true value through their passionate and skilled representation in complex civil litigation, including a wide variety of commercial, family law and personal injury cases. As recognized leaders in their field, the firm routinely receives referrals from other professionals in the St. Louis area, including many lawyers.

“What our firm brings to the marketplace is the expertise and good judgment that comes from handling a wide variety of cases from start to finish,” says Eilerts. “We pride ourselves on being totally prepared each time we walk into the courthouse, which enables us to evaluate likely outcomes and help our clients avoid unnecessary risks associated with the litigation process.”

The reputation of the firm and the courtroom skills of each of the firm’s attorneys give clients comfort and confidence that their cases will be handled with competence and care.

120 S. Central Avenue, Ste. 150, Clayton, MO 63105 314-725-1912 | groweeisen.com

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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LEADERS IN LAW

S P EC IA L A DVE R T I S I NG S EC T I O N

Holland Injury Law INJURY LAW For 27 years, William Holland and his associates have consistently provided outstanding results for injury victims. Whether helping victims fight their way through the insurance company maze or ensuring they receive timely and appropriate medical care, the lawyers at Holland Injury Law are always available to answer questions.

Backed by an exceptionally strong team, Holland Injury Law offers big-firm, state-of-the-art technology coupled with small-firm, personal support and guidance. The firm has been featured on local TV stations including KSDK, KMOV, and Fox 2 News for their work with high-profile personal injury cases. Bill Holland has been recognized as a Missouri Kansas Super Lawyer, a National Trial Lawyer Top 100 Lawyer, and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.

Holland has personally recovered more than $100 million for his clients. Clients appreciate his passion: “I will always be grateful for William Holland and highly recommend him to anyone in need of a caring and professional attorney. William worked tirelessly on my wrongful death case and helped me through the most difficult challenge of my life.”

FIRST ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Julie Holland, April Dudley, Nancee Ripcse, Aliyah Brooks, Sharon Brooner; BACK ROW: John Moffitt, Bill Holland, Joe McDowell, Meghan Pohrer 130 S. Bemiston Ave, Ste. 706, St. Louis, MO 63105 314-888-7888 | stlinjury.lawyer

Frankel, Rubin, Klein, Siegel, Payne & Pudlowski P.C. FULL-SERVICE LAW

SEATED, LEFT TO RIGHT: Elaine Pudlowski, Leonard Frankel; STANDING: Mayer Klein, Michael Payne, Mark Rubin, Julie Siegel

Leonard Frankel’s mediation experience includes employment law, personal injury, contracts, statutory remedies, and family law.

He co-authored Why Cases Settle, Why Cases Don’t Settle, and authored Presuit Mediation—A Missed Opportunity, both of which were published in the St. Louis Bar Journal. He has been named to the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers list since 2005. Frankel is listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for his expertise in Mediation and Family Law Mediation. He was named “Lawyer of the Year” in Family Law Mediation in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2020; and “Lawyer of the Year” in Mediation in 2013 and 2015.

Elaine Pudlowski practices in the field of domestic relations handling divorce, paternity, child custody, support, and adoptions. Elaine is certified as a court appointed guardian ad litem, mediator, and parent coordinator. She is a frequent author and lecturer on topics in family law. Elaine received the Women’s Justice Award in 2019 and is listed in the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for her expertise in family law. Elaine earned a BA and JD from Washington University.

231 S. Bemiston Avenue, Ste. 1111, Clayton, MO 63105 314-725-8000 | frankelrubin.com

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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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SPECIAL ADV ER TI S I N G S ECTI ON

The Law Offices of John M. Lynch, LLC TRIAL ATTORNEY

John M. Lynch

When dealing with a serious criminal matter, personal-injury, or employment discrimination issue, you need an experienced lawyer to aggressively pursue your case. John M. Lynch is a proven trial attorney with a record of success in state and federal courts all over the country. As a former police investigator, federal drug task force agent, and insurance defense attorney, he understands how the other side views an issue. Clients benefit from his breadth of legal knowledge and ability to offer a candid perspective for realistic solutions that benefit his clients. The media, judiciary, and peers recognize Mr. Lynch for his excellent legal guidance. Other attorneys often call him to assist with tough criminal cases or help with their civil litigation. His legal proficiency is demonstrated not only by his record of case successes, including acquittals for his criminal clients, but also the millions recovered for his civil clients. The result is his inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Mr. Lynch has received an AV Preeminent® rating, the highest possible rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, a nationally recognized rating agency.

Mr. Lynch also serves as a high demand legal commentator, routinely appearing on many local and national news outlets.

5770 Mexico Road, Ste. A, St. Peters, MO 63376 314-726-9999 | lynchlawonline.com

Fisher Patterson Sayler & Smith FULL-SERVICE LAW

Portia Kayser

Portia Kayser is honored to be selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Municipal Litigation. Ms. Kayser represents cities and counties in Missouri and Illinois in both litigation and appeals. She joins her partners Michael Seck and David Baker (Overland Park, Kansas) and David Cooper, Justice King, Steven Pigg, and Terelle Mock (Topeka, Kansas) as being recognized as leaders in their fields.

Fisher Patterson has 110 years of history of providing clients with skilled, experienced, and dedicated representation in a variety of matters including government liability, professional liability, employment law, appellate practice, administrative law, law enforcement defense, construction, insurance defense, civil rights, corporate law, workers compensation, bankruptcy, and mediation.

With 19 attorneys working in Topeka, Overland Park, and St. Louis, the firm represents clients in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. Fisher, Patterson, Sayler, and Smith, LLP—because experience counts.

1010 Market Street, Ste. 1650, St. Louis, MO 63101 314-561-3675 | fisherpatterson.com

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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LEADERS IN LAW

S P ECI A L A DV ER TI S I N G S ECTI O N

Amato Family Law LLC FAMILY LAW Susan Amato’s practice focuses on resolving family law disputes through mediation, collaborative practice, and litigation. She has the experience necessary to assist you in selecting the process needed to resolve your family law matters and to guide you through the complex legal and financial issues that you face. She will help you to resolve issues around the parenting of your children and to focus on the future.

Susan is a recognized trailblazer in mediation and collaborative law on the forefront of introducing, developing, and utilizing these methods in the St. Louis legal arena. A graduate of Washington University School of Law, Susan has held the Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review rating for professional excellence for fifteen years. She is a Certified Advanced Practitioner with the Academy of Professional Family Mediators and has been named by Best Lawyers® as St. Louis Collaborative Law Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in 2015 and 2019 and as St. Louis Family Law Mediation “Lawyer of the Year” in 2016.

Susan L. Amato

230 S. Bemiston Avenue, Ste. 510, Clayton, MO 63105 314-727-7122 | amatofamilylaw.com

The Shaw Law Group, P.C. FAMILY LAW The Shaw Law Group, P.C. provides high-quality, creative domestic relations legal services. Jennifer A. Shaw and Amanda G. Highlander are Metro-East natives who returned after law school to live, work, and volunteer in their hometowns. Jennifer started the firm, and Amanda joined later, solidifying a friendship that grew years before.

They believe lawyers can serve their communities and their clients with integrity and humor. Their innovative team is compassionate, diverse, and highly experienced.

The Shaw Law Group is rooted in tradition, yet they are forwardthinking. Their clients’ individuality and unique circumstances demand nuance. They believe in client-centered, zealous representation— guiding people through legally and emotionally complex family matters.

Sometimes competitive yet always empathetic, Jennifer and Amanda collaborate with clients to achieve a new family structure.

Recognized by Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, Best Lawyers®, and U.S. News & World Report, they provide creative solutions for all aspects of family law.

Jennifer A. Shaw and Amanda G. Highlander

201 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025 618-655-0555 | jashawlaw.com

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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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SPECIAL ADV ER TI S I N G S ECTI ON

Newman Bronson & Wallis TRIAL LAW

FROM LEFT: Mark I. Bronson, Marc S. Wallis, Lauren E. Bronson

The trial lawyers at Newman Bronson & Wallis represent individuals and families who suffer injury or death due to dangerous behavior.

They strive to make the community safer and are dedicated to preserving the people’s 7th Amendment constitutional right to a jury trial. They do this through advocating for the community’s best interests and by ensuring the civil justice system is doing what it should be doing: promoting justice and correcting injustice.

NB&W’s experienced trial lawyers hold dangerous drivers, corporations, tractor trailer companies, product and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and employers accountable for the harm they cause. NB&W has more than 80 years of combined legal experience recovering compensation for people injured by others’ disregard for the safety of the community. NB&W makes sure their clients’ voices are heard by working together to right these wrongs.

2300 West Port Plaza Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146 314-878-8200 | newmanbronson.com

The Family Law Group, LLC FULL-SERVICE FAMILY LAW

Benicia Livorsi

The Family Law Group, LLC represents family members in crisis. Known for innovative advocacy, Benicia Livorsi initiated the United States’ first international extradition against a parent for financial non-support.

Recognizing the importance of supporting her community, Benicia has been a municipal prosecutor, a president of the local bar association, a foster parent for nearly a decade, and a guardian ad litem for nearly 20 years.

Benicia is a well-known appellate lawyer who has successfully won a reversal in the United States Supreme Court as well as successfully briefed and argued numerous cases in the Missouri appellate courts and the Missouri Supreme Court. The Family Law Group, LLC is primarily focused on matters related to family law such as divorce, custody cases, adoptions, juvenile cases, and similar matters in all levels of the judicial system within Missouri. Their office also handles criminal matters that typically affect family members, from minor speeding tickets to more substantial abuse allegations and DWI matters.

6 Westbury Drive, Ste. D, St. Charles, MO 63301 636-947-8181 | familylawgroupllc.com

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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LEADERS IN LAW

S P EC IA L A DVE R T I S I NG S EC T I O N

Page Law PERSONAL INJURY & FAMILY LAW Page Law was named a 2020 Tier 1 Family Law firm by U.S. News–Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in the St. Louis area. Tonya was recognized for her outstanding work in the area of family law, while John was named for his high-caliber work in Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs. They would also like to congratulate Brad Wilmoth as a Best Lawyers selection for 2020, and Andrew Drazen and Sarah Wilde for their selections as Rising Stars

by Super Lawyers®.

John and Tonya are founding partners of Page Law, LLC, a personal injury and family law firm they started together in 2010. Tonya practices exclusively in the area of family law, representing clients throughout the state in high-end divorce and complex custody matters. She also has extensive experience with paternity, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, grandparents’ rights, adoption, and orders of protection. John oversees the personal injury side of the firm, handling serious injury and death cases, including tractor-trailer, motorcycle, car accidents, railroad, and train accidents, along with dog bite and medical malpractice cases.

Both John and Tonya have been repeatedly recognized as top attorneys in their field by St. Louis Magazine and Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers®, among others.

Outside the courtroom, John and Tonya are active in the legal community and stay busy with their two children, Speed and Ari, ages 8 and 5.

John Page and Tonya Page

9930 Watson Road, Ste. 100, St. Louis, MO 63126 314-322-8515 | pagelaw.com

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AIR CRAFT The money experts are eyeing pr ivat i ze d operation of St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

Will it fly ? by

JEANNETTE COOPERMAN

Air Craft Continued from p. 107

or beneficial to the airport or the airlines.

It would benefit privatization, because they would not see upfront cash.” Southwest and American airlines sent a letter just hours before the special meeting, urging the city to accept “the comptroller-preferred option.”

Martínez says there were never two options: “The mayor was asked to approve bonds, and she, as an accountant, was very interested in the business terms, so she asked questions. She never said what to do. She especially wanted to make sure they would avoid a significant penalty for redeeming the bonds if a lease was approved.”

Krewson did as the airlines asked. Later, Green recalled how Martínez kept asking for the advisory team’s counsel to play a role in the refinancing plan. “They’re definitely trying to derail the positive management operations so the airport looks less strong,” Green decided. “And the aldermen have been suckered, hoodwinked. This mayor has come with a lot of polarizing tricks that focus on a cash infusion for the North Side, as though the North Side is just going to automatically spring up.”

Speaking only for herself, Martínez, who is on the advisory working group, says she has “aspirations that this exploration could yield more for all of us, a better airport and a better city.” The airport has “significant underutilized runway capacity and land,” but its ability to pull revenue from those assets is constrained: “One, we don’t have the best credit rating in the world. Two, in order to increase operating revenues, risks have to be taken, and the city as a government is not in the business of investing in private enterprises to see if they make money.”

BLUE SKY THINKING

“The airport is a gateway to our community,” Brown says. “It’s also the city’s very valuable asset, and we have a right to expect a lot more revenue. We were

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asked to look at this, and it’s a good thing we did, because we found a mountain of debt. That runway was the biggest mistake in the public works history of the state of Missouri.” Brown points to “the surrounding 1,000 acres that the airport eminent-domained” when it expected thunderous noise from all those TWA jets.

“Once the debt covenants are removed, there are no restrictions” on how that land may be developed, he says.

(Martínez says the land could be developed right now: “The challenge has been to locate and capitalize on such opportunities, and hopefully with a private developer we could do that more readily.”)

Brown also bemoans the state of the main terminal: “Visit when it’s raining, and you’ll find a guy dedicated to buckets.

The design that was revolutionary in 1956 is no longer revolutionary.” Consumers expect more, Brown says—and will spend more. At Lambert, “the average person is spending $4 to $5 less than they would at a more modern airport. With 7 million enplanements, that $5 adds up to $35 million a year.”

How will there be enough profit to appease shareholders and improve the airport at a time when Lambert isn’t jam-packed and St. Louis’ population isn’t increasing? “As a region, we’re not the most significant growth area of the country,” Brown replies, “but today, the vast majority are connecting flights anyway. The debt service requires cost per enplanement to be artificially high. If you lower that cost, you can be more competitive for cargo, too.”

Hamm-Niebruegge says the cost per enplaned passenger is already starting to go down: “In 2010, it was close to $15; it’s now $8.86. We promised the airlines we would get down to industry average, and this year we’re actually slightly below industry average for medium-hub airports. And we’ve had a tremendous drop in our landing fees.”

The annual number of passengers moving through Lambert (15.6 million at last count) hasn’t been this high since 2003.

There were more local passengers this year than there were in 2001, at the peak of the TWA hub. Connecting enplanements have increased 29.4 percent since 2015; Southwest has moved 14 connecting flights from Chicago’s Midway to Lambert. The airport now has 74 nonstop destinations, and it’s added Frontier and

other low-cost carriers.

“We were a high-cost airport when the hub went away,” says Hamm-Niebruegge, “and we had a low bond rating.” Then came terrorism and its financial fallout, then the 2008 recession. But in the past decade, the numbers have been steadily improving, so “it’s getting to be an easier sell,” she says, for cargo and economic development. FedEx and UPS are renting warehouse space, and Lambert just leased space to Majestic Terminal Services, which does ground handling for airlines flying for Amazon. The silver lining beneath that pricey underutilized runway is an airport with far less congestion than at others its size—which also appeals to passenger airlines, because there’s scant risk of missing a connecting flight. Plus, there’s Lambert’s location in, as writer William Gass put it, the heart of the heart of the country.

Still, “other places use airports to market their city,” grumbles one traveler.

“They have sleeping pods and fine restaurants; we have Cinnabon. Aim a little higher, folks.”

“We haven’t had Cinnabon for 10 years,” snaps someone close to airport operations. The airport’s food and beverage contract was due to be renegotiated next year. Five years ago, a renegotiation of the retail concession netted $45 million in additional revenue. But because Lambert is exploring privatization, the airport is not looking to go into long-term leases. The food and beverage contract was extended three years; it will add a St. Louis Blues–themed bar and grill. Meanwhile, by putting out bids directly, Lambert has brought in Three Kings, Vino Volo, and the new Urban Chestnut bar.

The airport also has its first common-use lounge, Wingtips.

This is the fourth year of a five-year capital improvement plan which the airlines agreed to support. “And we have 670 days’ cash on hand,” adds HammNiebruegge, “which is an extremely good place to be.” At the end of 2017, Fitch acknowledged the airport’s growth and stable cash base by upgrading its bond rating from stable to positive, giving Lambert its highest rating in a decade, an A minus.

Asked about necessary improvements, the airport director mentions service animal relief areas and lactation suites.

“You look at Dubai, Seoul, Shanghai, and

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dear God, they’re like Disney Worlds,” she adds. “If that’s the type of infrastructure you want, let’s think about what it would take to get there—and is it worth it?”

FARE PLAY?

Was this exploration designed to objectively assess the pros and cons of privatization, or simply to see what kind of offers Lambert could attract? Brown says the former, though he characterizes phase one as “the preparation phase, figuring out what you have as an asset. Then our second phase is the bidding phase: Who wants to be here? Who’s qualified? And the third phase is the approval phase.”

So what have the team identified as cons to privatization? He blows out a gust of breath. “The con is not the philosophy of privatization. It’s the inertia of getting started. The average city can’t staff up like this. But we have venture capitalist philanthropist Rex Sinquefield, who I will call the patron saint of St. Louis, because he loves this town more than it deserves.

That’s why Grow Missouri stepped in.

Congress authorized $750,000 to help, but $750,000 would not pay for one of my aviation forecasters, and I have three I’ve negotiated in the last year.”

One of the three, Unison Consulting, is no longer on the team; it’s the firm that the airport was using, so its numbers are the baseline for current projections.

“Then we had a specialty firm,” Brown says, “and then the airlines wanted their own forecaster. They might come up with three different projections, because there are different vested interests. It’s like expert opinions: You get a couple, and people can choose to make their own conclusions.”

Brown thinks Lambert will be very attractive to bidders, and his aldermanic antagonist agrees. “Privatizing a major market like an airport is a private operator’s dream,” says Spencer, “but that’s also why we should keep it. This is akin to selling off the silverware. We are not at a point where we should be hocking everything we own.” Besides, she adds, “It’s our bargaining chip when considering merging with the county.”

As MetroLink extends, Lambert will connect to MidAmerica, on the other side of the Mississippi, Spencer says, “and we’re the second-largest port in the nation. We ought to have a transportation authority that looks at regional

transportation assets.” Others have suggested a more dramatic possibility: Make the airport itself regional. Let the county and St. Charles County buy in, which would give the city a cash infusion.

Then forge a regional transportation plan and decide—in that context, not one of fiscal desperation—how much it might make sense to privatize.

If you keep following the money, though, you come full circle. A regional airport would jeopardize the city’s annual $7 million without a whopping cash settlement to compensate. The city needs cash.

Its elected officials seem a little more eager for that cash influx than its citizens, though—which is why Spencer has pushed hard for a public vote. Slay’s original application noted two paths to privatization and preferred the one that required a special election to amend the city charter.

Martínez says “the current mayor did not favor that approach, because she believes that no single city official should have the authority to enter into a lease.

She wanted a more inclusive process.”

The comptroller is now included, but she, too, would have preferred a public vote; she doesn’t understand the city counselor’s inability to write a board bill making one possible. “They all day long write the board bills for developers,” says Green. “They can’t figure out how to make a public vote? And then they stoop to blaming an alderman?”

When Spencer pushed harder, city counselor Julian Bush told the Board of Aldermen he had “grave reservations whether the board could adopt an ordinance making a privatization contingent on a public vote. That’s an unlawful delegation of legislative power.” To Green’s point, sure, “the charter can always be amended” to allow a public vote. The city could “get rid of the unlawful delegation provision altogether.” But the cleanest alternative, he says, is putting a city charter amendment on the ballot to require a public vote, then voting again. And the simplest way to take the public’s pulse would be a nonbinding referendum.

While we’re talking, I ask Bush about the structure of the Grow Missouri consulting process—is it typical? “It’d be hard to find a precedent for this one way or another,” he says. “It’s an unusual transaction. It creates, or would appear to create, an incentive. But these consultants

get paid one way or another.” So it’s only Sinquefield who has the incentive? “So, yes, it’s in Grow Missouri’s interests that there be a deal. In an ideal world, maybe it would have been done differently.”

WILL IT FLY?

All the debate might be a moot point.

“The only people who still think it can be done are the people who are continuing to make money on it,” says someone close to the process. “These private enterprises aren’t going to want to deal with E&A and public meetings. If they find a place with a more nimble government, they’ll go there. They’re not going to figure out how many people they have to put on the payroll to get Lewis Reed’s vote.”

Even the number of aldermen is an obstacle: “Twenty-eight aldermen for a city of 300,000? That strangles everything.

And the three-person E&A is the dagger.”

Macquarie has already dropped out (though Brown says he “wouldn’t be surprised if they’re back. These global operators go through a lot of changes”). How many other giants are going to want to contend with St. Louis’ clunky governing structure, populist suspicion, and glacially slow timetable? “We’ve already heard concerns from prospective bidder teams about delay,” Brown says.

“Look at how long it’s taken already,” remarks an insider with less stake in the outcome. “The longer the process goes on, the more those people make ungodly money and have no incentive to just stop.” To prospective bidders, meanwhile, “these things start looking less like opportunities. This is going to go into the next mayoral election, and why would you ever want to do that? Confidence erodes.

Also, the county executive indictment played a role; he crashed and burned, and a lot of the same people were around him. What potential investor wants to go into a market tinged with corruption?”

Local opposition isn’t limited to activists and a few aldermen. Quite a few members of the airport commission aren’t thrilled, though they won’t say so on record. We also talked to civic and business leaders who are following the privatization closely, some because they say they’ve watched too much St. Louis history unfold in just this way.

Todd Litman, executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, in Canada, says “optimistic predictions November 2019 stlmag.com

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about privatization have often proven false. Privatization does introduce some economic discipline, though. It makes certain types of graft more difficult. And private companies tend to pay some employees less; they’re setting wages based on the market. If you accept the premise that governments are too vulnerable to organized labor or graft,” then there’s an argument for privatization.

Economic development, though, ought to be just as possible for the public sector, Litman says. “Governments are selling bonds at a much lower rate than a private company can sell shares. A lot of times, it’s just that private companies are more aggressive. There’s an unfortunate narrative that says it’s bad for government employees to be entrepreneurial; it looks like they’re empire-building.”

Here’s a bit of irony: Sinquefield might have had a better shot at St. Louisans’ hearts and minds if he’d thrown a little less money at his targets. “‘Just stop spending!’ you want to tell him,” says a source close to the process, “but no one around him is going to say that.”

The activist group STL Not for Sale didn’t choose its name randomly. They think Sinquefield’s trying to buy things his way. “He has spent the last decades doing everything he can to strip revenue sources from the city,” notes one critic.

“It’s important that the public understand that this can be a really good idea and still be so horribly handled,” says another observer. Someone closer to the deal says, “People are afraid: ‘Oh, these big bad investment banks are going to come in and rob us of the airport, and we will be broke.’ We’re already broke!

There are ways of creating those deals that give the city some leverage.”

As we went to press, the RFQ (request for qualifications) was about to be issued, asking bidders to explain why they’re qualified to take on Lambert.

How much cash are we talking about, anyway? The $2.3 billion the St. Louis Business Journal calculated, or closer to $1 billion, most of which would be eaten up by paying off the $630 million debt?

We don’t know yet. Nor do we know how well the contract would safeguard airport quality, protect employees, and keep consumer costs affordable.

Air travel is expected to double over the next 20 years. But with today’s airplanes able to fly long distances without refu-

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eling, how many additional connecting flights could St. Louis lure? Some analysts are predicting a shift from the hub-andspokes model to point-to-point direct flights. And there’s now “flight shame.”

Worried about carbon emissions, people are seeking other forms of transportation; in Europe, the old-fashioned sleeper trains are coming back strong.

Then there are the larger uncertainties: Will the corporation that takes over the lease keep it? National Express sold Stewart International back. Oaktree Capital is reportedly looking to get out of its role operating a terminal in Austin, Texas. Aerostar Airport Holdings—the holding company for Highstar Capital and a Mexican firm—took Luis Muñoz Marín public, then Oaktree acquired Highstar, then Oaktree sold its 50 percent stake in Aerostar for $430 million.

“Presumably, Oaktree is thinking the easy money made on turning around the San Juan airport has been scored, and looks to get out before the efforts to further monetize the investment become a little harder to exploit,” wrote Bob O’Brien on TheStreet.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao hailed the FAA’s acceptance of St. Louis’ application as an example of the Trump administration’s commitment to privatizing infrastructure: “This approach to airport management increases productivity, revenue, and operating efficiency for airports.” But what if Trump isn’t reelected? What if there’s a serious economic downturn? At the moment, firms big enough to bid on this “are sitting on a lot of cash,” one analyst notes, “and they’re looking for ways to put it to use.” That could change quickly.

Still, there’s momentum. St. Louis “is being watched carefully, both within the U.S. and internationally,” a CAPA analyst wrote in March. A bidder might overpay here to break the ice so it can win other privatization contracts, noted CAPA, and the deal “could have a catalytic effect on other cities with unmet infrastructure needs and a large airport asset from which they receive no direct financial benefits,” not even our annual $7 million.

Brown spoke at the Global Airport Development conference in Chicago in May, then in New Orleans in August, in front of a screen reading, “St. Louis airport privatization is closer to takeoff.”

He’ll speak at a GAD conference in Dublin

this fall, and he’ll moderate a conference panel in New York next May: “St. Louis’ Partnership Under the Magnifying Glass.”

For a partnership to be put under a magnifying glass, it has to exist—and in many people’s imagination, this one already does. Slay initially talked about using the cash to bolster infrastructure and expand MetroLink. McKenna talks sweepingly about “billions and billions of dollars that are sitting around the world and could enhance the airport”; about a “transformational” influx of cash for the city to spend on “police officers, fire trucks, educational reform…” Adolphus Pruitt, director of the NAACP’s St. Louis chapter, wants 50 percent of the proceeds designated for improvements on the North Side: “It’s critical that we demolish this blight.” Reed agrees: “We could set up renewable development zones— façade improvement and parks to keep residents in a particular place. You’d have the capital to better help our school systems. You’d have more economic activity to train and connect a workforce.”

And Krewson? She’s said repeatedly that what she wants is a better airport; if privatization can’t deliver that, forget it.

She was unavailable to comment for this story, but Martínez says the consulting agreement calls for research into how St. Louisans want the money spent. “We have been careful not to get ahead of this,” she adds. “People could get so enamored with how the money might be spent, they might not think about whether this is a good decision.”

It can look evasive when Krewson says she hasn’t made up her mind yet, but if you set both philosophy and fear aside, whether this is a good deal for St. Louis hinges on the terms of the deal. Her critics, though, say neutrality is damaging Lambert’s odds. The mayor’s office “has not created a public rationale for why they want to do this, which has made room for a ton of speculation,” says someone close to the process. “If you haven’t made up your mind, you shouldn’t be doing it. You don’t want to tell the truth and say the only reason we’re doing it is because we’re flat-ass broke! [Bidders] want a mayor who believes in this process and will lead it.

“This is probably the most important issue facing our region, but it’s not easy to get people to pay attention or understand.”

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S T. LO U I S SAG E

PHILANTHROPY’S SECRETS

Who was Mary Ranken Jordan?

A

SPIRITED LASS, Mary Ranken

was born in Lisboy House, in the town of Aghadowey, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

(You’ve seen its misty green landscape in Game of Thrones.) At age 20, she left to join her uncles and a cousin in St. Louis.

Sixteen years later, she fell in love with Clay Jordan, a preppy sort who’d inherited his family’s cutlery business, and together they became strong philanthropists.

Meanwhile, a mystery arose: In 1913, when Mary’s uncle David P. Ranken died, he left his fortune to three nieces in Montreal and bound them, “on pain of losing everything, not to give a single penny of their inheritance to their father or stepmother,” reported a New York Times exclusive. If one of them dared? “She is to be treated as if dead,” the will stipulated. “This strange enmity of their bachelor uncle,” the reporter continued, “carried beyond the grave, extends also to another relative, Mary Ranken Jordan.”

But why?

The answer may lie in lost love. Mary had a second cousin, also named David, who came to St. Louis from Northern Ireland. An eccentric bachelor with the strict Presbyterian values of his Scottish ancestors, David Ranken Jr. was tall, lean, and, as he grew older, slightly stooped; he walked briskly through the city with the aid of a blackthorn stick. People knew him

1869 Mary Ranken is born in Northern Ireland.

1885 She emigrates to St. Louis.

1900 She joins the Memorial Home board, becomes active in local charities.

1905 She marries Clay Jordan.

1907 Her uncle founds Ranken Technical College.

1941 She founds the Ranken Jordan Home.

1962 She dies.

2019 Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital treats more than 600 children a year.

Do you remember Mary Ranken Jordan?

Contact her greatniece and biographer, Susan Walker, at marymemories89@ gmail.com.

as reserved and a bit rigid, “the lonely millionaire” who founded what’s now Ranken Technical College.

What they didn’t know was that years earlier, he’d fallen madly in love with his cousin Mary Ann Ranken—the sister of David P. Ranken. “For a time she favored his suit,” noted the St. Louis Globe-Democrat after David Jr.’s death, “but she was won, not by him, but by his younger brother, Robert.” Alas, Mary Ann died young, and Robert remarried and moved to Canada.

David P.’s heirs were the daughters of his sister Mary Ann and Robert Ranken. And Robert’s second wife was the stepmother forbidden to touch the estate.

Maybe David P. was fiercely protective of his sister, and Mary Ranken Jordan incurred David P.’s wrath simply because of her second cousin’s remarriage? Or her other second cousin’s unrequited love?

She and David Jr. lived sedate lives as philanthropists in St. Louis. David Jr., concerned that the mechanical trades were being stigmatized, established Ranken Tech. Jordan, who’d married at 36 and never had children, devoted much of her time and fortune to their well-being, founding what’s now the Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in 1941. She also supported the city’s art museum, history museum, botanical garden, zoo, YWCA… She would have been easy to like.

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