Guiding clients through the intricacies of regulatory issues, contracts and litigation gives me great personal satisfaction. I am committed to putting forth my best effort for every client, embracing the challenges and safeguarding their interests.

Jennifer has 30 years of experience representing clients in business transactions and litigation across the public and private sectors. She represents businesses, individuals, nonprofit entities,  cities and counties. Her practice is rooted in a broad range of legal disciplines, from regulatory and administrative law to business disputes and advertising compliance, offering clients comprehensive legal solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Working with family-owned businesses and large multinational corporations, Jennifer provides clear guidance on business operations, often drafting key legislation and regulations. Her extensive experience also includes advising clients on promotional activities like contests, sweepstakes, and loyalty programs, ensuring their marketing strategies align with legal standards.

Among the many sectors Jennifer serves are:  

  • Agribusiness and food
  • Cannabis
  • Casinos
  • Hospitality
  • Long-term care and day care facilities
  • Media and entertainment
  • Mining

Jennifer’s representation before local, state, and federal courts, as well as numerous agencies, boards, and commissions, allows her to navigate complex legal issues related to:

  • Administrative law
  • Business operations
  • Contracts, including government procurement
  • Regulatory and disciplinary actions
  • Environmental issues
  • Gaming
  • Insurance
  • Licensing
  • Real Property

Her strategic approach to litigation covers a range of governmental actions, including challenges to statutes, regulations and ordinances, permit appeals, enforcement actions, business and occupational licensing matters, tax appeals, bid protests, negotiating government contracts, zoning and contractual disputes. She provides clients with strong advocacy in and out of the courtroom.

Additionally, Jennifer handles business litigation cases involving conflicts over commercial leases, contracts and partnership agreements.

Before entering private practice, Jennifer interned at the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, clerked for the Supreme Court of Missouri, drafted legislation for the Missouri General Assembly and handled tax litigation for the Missouri Department of Revenue. Before and during private practice, she served as an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps, U.S. Army Reserves.

When asked…

Why did you become a lawyer?

Becoming an attorney was a natural choice for me. I genuinely enjoy analyzing problems, developing strategies and advising others. I find it fulfilling to advocate for clients, helping them resolve issues and achieve their business goals.

What do you do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love boating, hiking and going to the theater, thanks to my season tickets to the Fabulous Fox Broadway shows. I also enjoy traveling, reading and spending time with my family.

Areas of Focus

Services

Sectors

Experience

  • Secured an order to block an unconstitutional state statute that would have imposed significant costs on Missouri counties.
  • Successfully defended a state license permitting an automobile manufacturer to sell electric cars directly to Missouri consumers.
  • Secured relief from decisions to deny, revoke or discipline various licenses, including those for long-term care facilities, day care centers, a funeral director, nursing home administrators, nurses, physicians, dentists, veterinarians, casinos, casino employees, and accountants.
  • Achieved complete relief for a major healthcare provider involved in litigation regarding a state services contract.
  • Defeated a challenge to a state permit for a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO).
  • Secured a judgment invalidating a county CAFO ordinance.
  • Obtained a judgment reversing the denial of a county health permit application for a CAFO, resulting in over $178,000 in damages awarded.
  • Won a $4.2 million jury verdict in a cattle fraud case due to a financial institution's breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Successfully protested state corporate income and franchise tax assessments, saving clients more than $1.3 million in taxes.
  • Achieved a complete victory in a Medicaid overpayment case.
  • Successfully defended two lawsuits from citizen groups: One declaratory judgment action and the other a writ action challenging the DNR’s authority to regulate food processing residuals under the Missouri Clean Water Law rather than the Missouri Solid Waste Management Law. Secured rulings that denied invasive requests for land entry, allowing the client to avoid a costly trial and additional regulations.
  • Successfully tried and won a bid protest against an aggressive losing bidder for a government contract awarded by the State of Iowa, enabling the client to execute the contract and expand its national customer base.
  • Successfully challenged an electric company’s request to approve a customer-financed electric vehicle charging station network expansion.
  • Enforced non-solicitation and non-competition agreements.
  • Defended against a nuisance action involving a CAFO, securing the dismissal of a plaintiff and settling claims from other plaintiffs.

Credentials

Education

  • Saint Louis University School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
    • Senior Articles Editor, Saint Louis-Warsaw Transatlantic Law Journal
  • University of Missouri - Columbia (B.A.)

Clerkship

  • Law Clerk, Honorable Edward D. Robertson, II, Supreme Court of Missouri
  • Intern, Honorable Myron H. Bright, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Missouri

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Recognitions

  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2013-2025
    • Administrative / Regulatory Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2024
  • Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2017-2020
    • “Rising Star,” 2010-2011
  • Up and Coming Attorneys, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2008
  • U.S. Army, JAG Corps: Cpt. 2004-05; 1 Lt. 1999-2003

Presentations

  • Co-Presenter, "How is your Legal Health?" 2020 Missouri Swine Health, MO Pork Association, July 21, 2020
  • Speaker, Raffles, Contests and Sweepstakes, Nonprofit Conversations Seminar, Lathrop Gage LLP, February 2015
  • Speaker, Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission, Missouri Assisted Living Association Conference, October 2014
  • Speaker, Contracts, Missouri Society of Association Executives Roundtables, November 2013
  • Speaker, Gaming Law Sweepstakes, Contests and Beyond, Fifteen-Hour Review of the Law, UMKC School of Law, June 2009
  • Speaker, Gaming Law: Know When to Hold 'em and Know When to Fold 'em, November 2005

Publications

  • FTC Whittles Away “Up To” Claims, InsideCounsel, January 3, 2013
  • Missouri Gaming Commission, Chapter 18 in Missouri Administrative Law, Fourth Edition 2011, the Missouri Bar

Professional Activities

  • Appointed Member, Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage
  • Boone County Bar Association
  • Cole County Bar Association
  • Women Lawyers Association of Missouri
  • Missouri Assisted Living Association