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Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas is pleased to announce that the firm is expanding its reach and presence, and has been recognized regionally in seven practice areas in the 2025 Edition of Best Law Firms® ranked by Best Lawyers®.   The firm received the following rankings: 

  • Regional Tier 1
    • St. Louis
      • Construction Law
      • Insurance Law
      • Litigation – Construction
      • Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
      • Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
  • Regional Tier 2
    • St. Louis
      • Litigation-Insurance 
      • Professional Malpractice Law 

Firms included in the 2025 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this prestigious achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.   Earlier this year, Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas was honored to have the following eight attorneys included in The Best Lawyers in America® for 2025: 

  • Seth Gausnell for his recognition in the categories of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants (and as Lawyer of the Year – Insurance Law)
  • Don O’Keefe for his recognition in the categories of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants and Product Liability Litigation-Defendants 
  • William Thomas for his recognition in the categories of Construction Law and Litigation-Construction (and as Lawyer of the Year – Construction Law)
  • Derek Ruzicka for his recognition in the category of Litigation-Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation-Defendants 
  • Jim Gottschalk for his recognition in the category of Litigation-Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, and Professional Malpractice Law-Defendants

Additionally, the following Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas attorneys were recognized in the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® which recognizes attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

  • James Ribaudo for his recognition in the categories of Appellate Practice and Insurance Law. 
  • Hayley Hughes for her recognition in the categories of Construction Law and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants. 
  • Najla Hasic for her recognition in the category of Construction Law, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation-Defendants 

Best Law Firms® is the oldest and most respected peer-review research and accolades company in the legal profession.  Earning a tiered ranking in Best Law Firms® signifies a distinctive blend of high-quality legal practice and extensive expertise. 

Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas is honored to be recognized once again by Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms® as one of the leading firms in the region, and looks forward to the continued ability to provide our clients with the best representation in the Midwest. 

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