Co-chairman of the firm's Executive and Partner Boards, Joe serves as lead trial counsel in major lawsuits nationwide for Fortune 500 companies and other corporations, major financial institutions, privately held companies and individuals. The primary areas in which Joe serves as lead trial counsel include antitrust, class actions, commercial, business torts, intellectual property, biotechnology, consumer fraud, contract, securities, corporate governance, insurance and employment-related litigation. Joe was one of the original organizers of the Trial Practice Institute, an annual three-day seminar established to train and teach young lawyers in trial practice, case preparation and development of a comprehensive, well-organized approach to litigation. He also has lectured on trial advocacy at Saint Louis University School of Law and the University of Virginia School of Law. Before entering private practice, Joe served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate. He was chief prosecuting attorney for Travis Air Force Base in California, one of the busiest court-martial jurisdictions in the world. He then served as chief trial defense counsel in the Western Pacific, defending all Air Force officers and enlisted men charged in general courts martial in Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Guam, Japan and the Philippines. In law school, Joe was a member of Delta Theta Phi law fraternity. Awards & Recognitions · The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Award of Merit, 1977-1979 · Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2010-2012 · The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2008-2012 · Cardinal Joseph Ritter Award, 2010 · Center for Public Resources, Distinguished Neutral · Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Business Litigation Law, 2005, 2008-2011 Professional Associations & Memberships · American Bar Association · American Bar Foundation, Fellow · American Health Lawyers Association · The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis · The Lawyers Association of St. Louis, Missouri · The Missouri Bar · The Judicial Learning Center, St. Louis Civic Involvement · Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School, President of Board and Member of Executive Committee, 1998-present · Grand Center, Inc., Board of Directors and Executive Committee, 2007-present · Logos School, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, 2009-present · March of Dimes, Greater Missouri Chapter, St. Louis Division, Board of Directors, 2005-present · Saint Louis University Arena Campaign Committee, 2005-present · Saint Louis University School of Law, Dean's Advisory Council, 1998-present · St. Louis Ambassadors, Board Member and Member of the Executive Committee, 1991-1998 · Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, Board of Directors News & Publications 11.22.11, Husch Blackwell Recognized by Benchmark Litigation 2012 in Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska 10.19.11, Super Lawyers 2011 Names 71 Husch Blackwell Attorneys from Missouri and Nebraska; an Additional 15 Listed as Rising Stars 9.6.11, More Than 100 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012 8.12.11, Husch Blackwell Announces Firm Leadership Transition 10.13.10, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2010 Names 64 Husch Blackwell Attorneys; An Additional 20 Listed as Rising Stars 10.4.10, Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Husch Blackwell as a Highly Recommended Firm 8.9.10, National Law Journal: Survival Mode is Turning Into Recovery Mode 12.24.09, St. Louis Business Journal: Judge Dismisses Express Scripts Suit 10.22.09, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2009 Names 73 Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys 10.1.09, Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Husch Blackwell Sanders as a Highly Recommended Firm 5.1.09, The American Lawyer: Priced to Sell 7.16.08, Husch Blackwell Sanders, Welsh & Katz Pool Talent: Combination Complete 6.23.08, Husch Blackwell Sanders Announces Combination with Welsh & Katz |