St. Louis Personal Injury and Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Attorneys

Six attorneys in the firm and the firm itself have an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell law directory, which is the highest possible rating.

• Robert F. Ritter

• Maurice B. Graham

• Stephen R. Woodley

• Patrick J. Hagerty

• Don M. Downing

• Joan M. Lockwood

The "A" signifies the highest level of legal ability, while the "V" denotes a very high adherence to the professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence. GRG is also listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers - America's most exclusive directory of attorneys.

Gray, Ritter & Graham is a charter member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms. Primerus accepts only those members who demonstrate a history of educating the public and serving their communities by providing excellent services and upholding an irreproachable integrity that guides all decisions, large and small.

In addition to the honors listed above, seven GRG attorneys have been named Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine.

Robert F. Ritter
(Top 100 Missouri & Kansas; Top 50 St. Louis in the areas of Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice)

Maurice B. Graham
(Top 10 Missouri & Kansas; Top 50 St. Louis in the areas of Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice)

Stephen R. Woodley
(Super Lawyer in the areas of Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice)

Patrick J. Hagerty
(Super Lawyer in the area of Transportation/Maritime)

Don M. Downing
(Super Lawyer in the area of Complex Business and Commercial Litigation)

Joan M. Lockwood
(Top 50 Female in the areas of Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice)

Morry S. Cole
(Top 50 St. Louis in the areas of Personal Injury)

Gray, Ritter & Graham attorneys have also been honored with memberships in the most prestigious trial lawyer organizations in the world. These professional associations enable our attorneys to remain current with the latest developments in the legal community. Included are membership in the International Society of Barristers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Our principal attorneys have held leadership positions in these organizations throughout the history of the firm.

Because of our professional reputation and careful screening of cases for merit, many other professionals, including physicians, economists, engineers, and other experts, (who normally will not get involved in litigation) are willing to consult with our firm and provide testimony where appropriate.

At Gray, Ritter & Graham, the client is always our one and only priority. Our firm uses a team approach to provide effective and powerful client representation. In most instances, two attorneys, a professional legal assistant, and experienced support staff work together on behalf of the client. This well planned and closely monitored approach, in which the contributions of all team members are incorporated into one focused effort on behalf of the client, is the underlying foundation of our strategy and our success.

REFERRALS

Our primary source of new clients is referrals from other attorneys. Small firms and lawyers, who don't have the trial experience or financial backing to take a major civil litigation matter through trial, will seek GRG's expertise and resources to pursue meritorious claims on behalf of their clients. Larger firms may develop a conflict of interest with regard to a specific matter for one of their clients and they, too, look to GRG with the confidence that we are the most qualified firm to assist their client in these situations.

At Gray, Ritter & Graham, we offer our courtroom experience, financial resources, and professional staff to handle all of these situations. We are open to direct referrals or co-counsel arrangements. A division of fees, consistent with the Rules of Professional Conduct, can make the relationship beneficial to the attorneys involved. With our background and experience, we can provide expert civil litigation representation in complex cases of all types.

Clients we have previously represented constitute our second-largest source of referrals. They have experienced, first-hand, the professional manner in which we treat our clients and the quality of representation we offer. Former clients know what it means to have GRG on their side.

Unfortunately we cannot take all cases presented to us. There are occasions when we may have to decline employment on behalf of a client if the claim does not meet our criteria. When this occurs, we assist those clients in finding a capable and effective attorney to represent them.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Gray, Ritter & Graham attorneys and staff are active in community and charitable activities. Twice in recent years, GRG has been recognized by the International Society of Primerus Law Firms for its achievements in Community Service. Some of these activities include:

• Donating items for the Dress for Success® program

• Serving as part of a volunteer team providing humanitarian aid and basic health care to impoverished children in El Salvador.

• Shipping food, personal hygiene, and entertainment items to the troops in Iraq.

• Conducting the annual GRG Advocacy Symposium in which we educate attorneys in the early stages of their careers on the professional and ethical attributes necessary to become a skilled trial lawyer.

• Chairing a $4 million dollar gift campaign for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (a not-for-profit organization that provides legal assistance to low income individuals).

• Participating in the Read Across America program bringing stories into the classroom.

• Promoting Kids Safety Day where various activities take place including the proper installation of car seats and distribution of bike helmets to area children.

We see these activities as a way of giving back to those in need and have incorporated this philosophy as part of our firm culture.