- OVERVIEW
- INSIGHTS
PRACTICES
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Education
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University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law,
J.D., summa cum laude, 1979
Order of the Coif
Missouri Law Review
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University of Missouri-Columbia,
A.B. (mathematics), summa cum laude, 1976
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Admissions
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Missouri
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US Ct of Federal Claims
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US Tax Ct
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US Ct Appeals, 8th Circuit (Covers AR, IA, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD)
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Affiliations
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American Bar Association
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The Missouri Bar
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The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
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American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Fellow
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Estate Planning Council of St. Louis
President, 2002-2003
Member, 1991-present
Board Member, 1999-present
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International Who’s Who of Professionals
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Representative Clients
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Burton Duenke Enterprises
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Dobbs Tire and Auto Centers, Inc.
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JBL Ventures, Inc.
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Midwest Petroleum Corporation
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Family Trusts
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Private Foundations
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Tacony Corp.
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U.S. Bank, N.A.
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Recognitions
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Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (by BL Rankings), 1995-2025
Listed for more than 20 years
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Listed in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (by Thomson Reuters), 2005-2021
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Employment
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Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 1995-Present
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Lashly & Baer, P.C.
Partner, 1987-1995
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Cupples, Edwards, Cooper & Singer
Partner, 1986-1987
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Cupples & Cupples, P.C.
Partner, 1985-1986
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Peper, Martin, Jensen, Maichel & Hetlage
Associate, 1979-1984
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Community
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American Cancer Society
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St. Louis Children’s Hospital
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For 35 years, Steve has focused his practice on succession planning for family businesses, including the areas of estate planning, taxation, estate and trust administration, estate and trust litigation, tax controversies and general business.
He has designed and implemented estate plans dealing with the income, gift, estate and generation-skipping taxes associated with succession planning for individuals and privately held businesses. He also has extensive experience in will and trust constructions, tax controversies, real estate, family law (including marital agreements), charitable giving, asset protection, corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies.
In addition, Steve advises trustees and executors in all aspects of their administration, including questions regarding their duties as a fiduciary, tax planning, tax preparation and record keeping.
He is an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (elected 1990). Steve is a past President of the Estate Planning Council of St. Louis and is currently a member of its board of directors. In addition, Steve is a former chairman of the Tax Section of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and a former member of the Executive Committee of that organization. Steve lectures on topics related to estate planning, taxation, estate and trust administration, probate and succession planning for family businesses.