Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas, LLC is pleased to recognize several of its attorneys for their selection to the 2026 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. These recognitions reflect the depth of trial experience, legal skills, and professional commitment that GOT attorneys bring to clients throughout Missouri, Illinois, and the Midwest.
Co-owners and member-attorneys Seth Gausnell, Don O’Keefe, Bill Thomas, and Derek Ruzicka were selected to the 2026 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers list. The firm also congratulates Principal Attorney Najla Hasic and Associate Attorneys Hayley Hughes and Courtney Otis for their selection to the 2026 Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars list.
Super Lawyers Honorees:
Seth Gausnell was selected in the area of Personal Injury General: Defense. Seth is a co-founder of the firm and an experienced trial lawyer whose practice spans premises liability, product liability, general liability, dram shop liability, bad faith matters, and appellate coverage issues. He has tried more than 100 cases to verdict and is admitted in Missouri and Illinois, as well as multiple federal courts. Seth also brings his courtroom experience to dispute resolution work as a mediator, giving parties the benefit of a trial lawyer’s practical view of risk, proof, credibility, and settlement value. Read more about Seth.
Don O’Keefe was selected in the area of Transportation/Maritime. Don is a co-founder of the firm and a trial lawyer with extensive experience defending transportation liability, catastrophic injury, product liability, insurance, business litigation, premises liability, and general liability matters. He has tried more than 100 cases to verdict in state and federal courts in Missouri and Illinois, argued before appellate courts in both states, and appeared before the Missouri Supreme Court. Don is active in organizations including DRI, TIDA, MODL, and the Missouri and Illinois bars, and he is regularly recognized for his work in transportation litigation. Read more about Don.
Bill Thomas, celebrating his 15th year for inclusion on the list, was selected in the area of Construction Litigation. Bill’s practice centers on complex litigation, with substantial experience in construction, arbitration, product liability, professional liability, mediation, and general liability matters. He has tried more than 70 cases to verdict in challenging venues, including St. Louis City, Madison County, St. Clair County, and federal courts in Missouri and Illinois. Bill also serves on the American Arbitration Association’s panel of neutrals as an arbitrator and mediator, is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, and is a frequent speaker and author on construction, product liability, and risk-management issues. Read more about Bill.
Derek Ruzicka was selected in the area of Personal Injury Products: Defense. Derek focuses on catastrophic litigation, long-tail and legacy liability, toxic torts, asbestos defense, complex product liability, wrongful death, and enterprise risk management for businesses and insurers. His work includes representation of construction companies, automotive manufacturers and component suppliers, industrial manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, insurance carriers, and other clients in high-exposure litigation across the Midwest and in multistate matters. He also advises on litigation strategy, insurance coverage analysis, allocation and indemnity issues, early case assessment, reserve accuracy, and portfolio-level case management. Read more about Derek.
Rising Stars Honorees:
Najla Hasic was selected as a Rising Star in the area of Personal Injury General: Defense. Najla is a principal attorney whose practice includes catastrophic injury, transportation liability, general liability, insurance, premises liability, and product liability matters. A St. Louis attorney with an international background, Najla graduated magna cum laude from Southern Illinois University School of Law after completing her undergraduate studies at Webster University, where she majored in Legal Studies and studied abroad in Vienna, Austria. Her background in translation, legal studies, and civil defense litigation brings a practical and detail-oriented perspective to the matters she handles. Read more about Najla.
Hayley Hughes was selected as a Rising Star in the area of Civil Litigation: Defense. Hayley handles civil defense litigation involving general liability, construction, product liability, and complex litigation. She graduated magna cum laude from Illinois College with a degree in Management and Organizational Leadership before earning her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law. Hayley’s business background, research skills, and strategic approach to problem-solving strengthen her ability to evaluate claims, develop defenses, and advocate for clients. Read more about Hayley.
Courtney Otis was selected as a Rising Star in the area of Construction Litigation. Courtney focuses her practice on construction, business litigation, product liability, professional liability, and general liability matters. A St. Louis City native, Courtney graduated magna cum laude from Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration in Intellectual Property and earned Academic Excellence Awards in IP Survey, Copyright, Negotiations, and IP Licensing. Before joining GOT, she gained experience through work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a civil litigation firm, and entertainment-production externships, giving her a broad foundation for litigation involving business, design, construction, and creative industries. Read more about Courtney.
Each year, no more than five percent of attorneys in a state are selected to the Super Lawyers list, while no more than 2.5 percent are selected to Rising Stars. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, identifies attorneys across more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluation by practice area.
Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas congratulates Seth, Don, Bill, Derek, Najla, Hayley, and Courtney on this well-earned recognition!