Rick leads the Consumer Products Mass Tort Team. His practice focuses on complex litigation, including defense of corporate clients in individual product liability lawsuits, commercial contract disputes, class action lawsuits, multi-district litigation proceedings, and lawsuits brought by governmental entities. Rick tries cases in state and federal court, argues appeals before state and federal appellate courts, and represents clients in arbitration. He is recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his Product Liability work and received a Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating of AV® Preeminent™, the highest possible rating for legal abilities and ethical standards based upon confidential assessments by members of the bar and judiciary. He has also been recognized by America’s Most Honored Lawyers (top 1% of all attorneys in the U.S. as recognized by award organizations), and in St. Louis Magazine as a St. Louis Top Lawyer.

Rick’s practice is a national practice. He represents Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller companies in cases throughout the country. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, and the District of Columbia, and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States and fourteen other federal courts across the country.

Rick has represented automobile manufacturers, auto lenders, pharmaceutical companies, child product manufacturers, tire manufacturers, industrial manufacturers, chemical companies, companies that rent cars and trucks, retailers, internet lenders, and online dating services. He defends clients in cases involving strict product liability and negligence claims, breach of contract claims, common law and consumer fraud claims, breach of warranty claims, data breach claims, fair debt collection act claims, civil RICO claims, and environmental contamination claims, including claims related to PFAS contamination. 

Many of the cases in which Rick represents clients involve complex engineering, scientific, and medical issues. He has extensive experience working with experts in these fields to defend his clients.

Rick is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served as an officer in the Navy before beginning his legal career. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal during his service.