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Spencer Farris

The S.E.Farris Law Firm
116 East Lockwood
St. Louis, MO 63119
Map

Phone: (314) 252-9937 | Fax: (314) 963-0629
http://www.farrislaw.net

Dedicated to Needs of Injury Victims and Their Families

Types of Cases
Qualifications
Work History
Personality & Philosophy
Office Information
Fees

Legal Topic

Personal Injury

Preferred New Clients

We typically handle all injury cases.

Sub-Topics

Accidents & Personal Injury

Construction Site Injuries
Jones Act
Petrochemical Accidents
Slip & Fall
Sports Injuries

Car Accident

Auto Accident
Whiplash

Dangerous Property

Intentional Injuries

Assault & Battery
Child Abuse
Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Police Misconduct
Sexual Assault

Mass Accidents

Airplanes
Buildings
Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
Ships & Boats

Medical Malpractice

Anesthesia Malpractice
Birth Injuries and Defects
Cosmetic Surgery
Dental Malpractice
Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
Emergency Room Errors
Medication Malpractice
Nursing Home Negligence
Prescription/Drug Malpractice
Psychiatric Malpractice
Spinal Cord Injury
Surgical Errors
Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis

Motorcycle Accident

Personal Injury - Defense

Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Product Liability

Design Defects
Manufacturing Defects

Professional Malpractice

Financial Malpractice
Legal Malpractice
Religious Malpractice

Serious/Catastrophic Injuries

Amputation
Birth Injury
Burn Injury
Head/Brain Injury
Paralysis

Toxic Tort

Chemicals & Cosmetics
Dangerous Drugs & Products
Hazardous Waste
Medical Products & Devices
Mesothelioma
Pesticides
Radiation & Electromagnetic Energy
Tobacco
Toxic Mold

Truck Accident

Wrongful Death

Bar Admissions

MO, Oct 1992
Bar Number: 39970

Specialty Certifications

National Board of Trial Advocates Certified Civil Trial Advocate.

Other Court Admissions

Missouri and Illinois Federal Courts.

Association Memberships

Governor, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.

Continuing Education

I attend numerous Continuing Legal Education seminars as well as the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and Solo and Small Firm conventions. I always exceed the required amount of Continuing Legal Education hours.

Papers and Publications

I write a syndicated column on legal issues for the Levison Group. I am also the associate Editor for the Missouri Association of Trial Attorney's magazine, and I have published several articles in that magazine as well.

Example Cases

I handled the case of a medical malpractice/wrongful death of a woman due to misdiagnosed ulcer where a $1.2 million verdict was reached in rural Missouri. I also obtained a $60,000 verdict for a boy injured at a St. Louis Cardinals recreation event. Additionally, I my partners and I won a $1.5 million verdict for the victim of a misdiagnosed heart attack.

Education

School:

Washington University School of Law

Degree:

Juris Doctor

City:

St. Louis

State:

Year:

1992

Honors:

International Trial Lawyers Association Award, American Jurisprudence for Study of Evidence, Intercollegiate Mock Trial team member.

Focus and Accomplishments:

Finalist is Client Counseling and Negotiation competition, Octofinalist in Moot Court.

Number of Attorneys

State Licensed In

Missouri and Illinois.

Firm Focus and History

My firm was established in 2000.

Our practice focuses on the needs of injury victims. Most of our clients have catastrophic injuries. The injury may also be due to the neglect of others in many areas including:
• Defective or dangerous products
• Dangerous property (premises liability)
• Road and highway use (automobile, semi-truck and motorcycle accidents) and
• Medical malpractice (doctor, hospital or nursing home malpractice)
The injury may be work related:
• Workers' compensation
• Riverboat injury/Jones Act or
• Railroad injury/FELA

Previous Employment Summary

I spent 10 years with the Hullverson Law firm, 4 years as a solo, 2 years as a partner in Zevan Davidson Farris Stewart LLC, and recently reopened my solo practice.

Activities and Awards

AV-rated Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest honor in a peer review board for work in the legal field. Additionally, I am in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Missouri by as designated by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. I am also a Super Lawyer by Law and Politics/KC Magazine.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I think the internet has helped consumers learn about the law, but clients should consult an experienced trial attorney when necessary. Unfortunately, many folks trust insurance agents who are not looking out for their best interests, or hire attorneys based solely on advertisements.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

This is not part of my practice.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I have often guided folks who did not need an attorney down the right path to self representation. However, these are rare occurrences of non-serious injuries.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I was initially interested in politics, but after that interest waned, I remained in love with the law.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I was raised by a single mom, which taught me self reliance. Coming from humble rural roots, I believe I can empathize with injury victims who find themselves down on their luck through no fault of their own.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I like helping my clients, and I can think of no more rewarding area of the law to do that.

What do you like best about your career?

I love being in the court room! Other than representing criminal defendants or working as a government lawyer, my field has the best opportunities for a trial lawyer to go to court. On a more base level, I do enjoy helping folks and taking on large foes to help my clients get some relief from their injuries.

Tell us about your law firm:

My assistant and I treat our clients as if their cases were the most important- it is to them, and it should be to their lawyer!

What are your strengths and style?

I am very straight forward in my approach- I won't put rose colored glasses on my client, but will tell them the strengths and weaknesses of their case from the start. I am aggressive, but hopefully not as abrasive as I once was in my career! More importantly, I am tenacious with my cases and honest with the courts and my opponents.

Personal Interests:

I am an avid hunter and fisherman. I like biking and physical fitness as well as environmental issues. But all of this comes second to my family.

Office Manager/Assistant

Amy Behnen

Fax

(314) 963-0629

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

Our fees are contingent on recovery.

Hourly Rates

This is not applicable to our practice.

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes.

Typical Retainer