MoveMakers and NewsMakers for October 1, 2024

St. Louis | Kansas City | Other States

St. Louis

Thirteen new associates have joined the St. Louis office of law firm Lewis Rice: Christopher Brown, Simeon Brown, Henry Brunngraber, Daniel Carter, Jared Gillen, Mitchell Gordon, Christine Hall-Schweiss, Grace Hambuchen, Miranda Nolan, Clare Nowogrocki, Ellie Richmond, Jissel Esparza Saucedo, and Austin Schorfheide. Additionally, one new associate joined the Kansas City office of Lewis Rice: Bryce Wolff.

“We are proud to welcome this talented group of associates to our firm,” said Lewis Rice Chairman Richard B. Walsh Jr. “Each brings a unique set of skills and experiences that will enhance our ability to offer innovative solutions, deepen client relationships, and uphold our tradition of excellence.”

After graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2023, Christopher Brown served as a term law clerk for the Honorable Matthew T. Schelp for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He joins Lewis Rice’s Litigation Department.

Simeon Brown graduated from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2021. He started his practice at a large Intermountain West law firm in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he focused on banking and finance. He will continue practicing in these areas and will also assist Lewis Rice’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group.

At the University of Illinois College of Law, Henry Brunngraber served as the articles editor for the Journal of Law, Technology and Policy. In 2024 he graduated as valedictorian of his class and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He will practice in Lewis Rice’s Corporate Department.

Daniel Carter is rejoining the firm as an associate in the Litigation Department after completing a clerkship with Judge Raymond W. Gruender of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Before he first joined Lewis Rice in 2023, he served as a clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Jared Gillen earned his MBA from Wagner College in 2021 and participated in the 2021 MLB Draft League before attending the University of Missouri School of Law. He served as the note and comment editor for the Missouri Law Review before graduating in 2024. Gillen joins Lewis Rice’s Litigation Department.

Before attending Saint Louis University School of Law, Mitchell Gordon served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. In law school he was executive editor of the Saint Louis University Law Journal and a judicial extern for Chief Judge Steven Clark for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He practices in Lewis Rice’s Litigation Department.

Christine Hall-Schweiss spent two summers as a summer associate at Lewis Rice before graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2024. With five years of experience working for the state child welfare systems in both Texas and Missouri, Hall-Schweiss will rotate through different practice groups at Lewis Rice beginning with the Corporate Department.

Grace Hambuchen joined the Litigation Department at Lewis Rice. As a student at the University of Missouri School of Law, she interned for Judge Mary R. Russell at the Missouri Supreme Court; Judge Philip M. Hess at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District; Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge; and Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. at the Western District of Missouri. After graduating in 2022, she served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Philip Hess for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

Miranda Nolan graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2024. She served as editor for Volume 68 of the Saint Louis University Law Journal. Nolan practices in Lewis Rice’s Litigation Department.

Clare Nowogrocki enrolled in Saint Louis University School of Law after almost a decade working in student development and experiential learning at the University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis. She graduated in 2024 and joined Lewis Rice’s Corporate Department.

Ellie Richmond began practicing in Lewis Rice’s Litigation Department following her graduation from Washington University School of Law in 2024. In law school, she was a member of The Journal of Law and Policy and the Women’s Law Caucus. She spent a summer working with FordHarrison LLP.

Jissel Esparza Saucedo earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance before attending the University of Arkansas School of Law. As a law student, she served as editor-in-chief of the Arkansas Law Review. She graduated in 2024 and is working with Lewis Rice’s Litigation Department.

As a student at Washington University School of Law, Austin Schorfheide served as staff and executive editor for Volumes 100 and 101 for the Washington University Law Review before graduating in 2024. He is practicing in Lewis Rice’s Estate Planning Department and remains involved in his family’s farm in southern Illinois.

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce Brett M. Sayers joined the firm’s St. Louis, Missouri, office as an associate in the Corporate and Business Transactions and Real Estate practice groups.
Sayers counsels businesses and individuals on a variety of matters related to corporate and business transactions, developing strategic, cost-mitigating solutions at all stages of the business life cycle. Within his comprehensive practice, he assists with entity selection, formation, ongoing operational matters, restructuring, acquisitions, divestitures, dissolution, and taxation. Additionally, Sayers provides legal counsel for multiple areas of asset preservation, assisting individuals in asset protection planning, joint spousal trusts, and business succession planning.

Combining a uniquely vigilant and proactive approach to complex real estate transactions, Sayers helps clients navigate the acquisition and sale of real property, commercial and residential leasing transactions, real estate financing, and real estate development.

“Brett’s widely varied transactional experience will offer strategic support across several key industries,” said Amy K. Mistler, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in St. Louis. “His deep understanding of clients’ unique objectives and track record of favorable outcomes aligns with our team’s commitment to exceptional client service. We look forward to welcoming him to the St. Louis team and watching his impact grow across our national footprint.”
Sayers completed his Bachelor of Business Administration at Southern Methodist University before earning his Juris Doctor at the University of Missouri. Prior to entering private practice, he worked at a Big Four accounting firm helping multinational corporations maximize value, experience which helped shape his client-centric approach to law.

Kansas City

Bryce Wolff graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2024 where he was managing editor of the UMKC Law Review. Prior to law school, Bryce served four years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry assaultman, rising to the rank of sergeant before his honorable discharge in 2020. Bryce practices in the Real Estate Department of Lewis Rice's Kansas City office.