Biography

Charla M. Claypool works with major and minor league sports teams across the country as part of Lewis Rice’s Professional Sports Practice Group. She assists these clients with drafting and negotiating agreements covering matters such as sponsorships and venue naming rights, ticketing, facility operations and special events, information technology and data privacy (including cloud services and data management), broadcasting and media rights and licensing of music and publicity rights.

Charla also leads Lewis Rice’s Advertising, Promotions & Social Media Practice Group. She advises clients on legal issues related to advertising, endorsements, sponsorships and consumer promotions, including those conducted via social media. She helps to establish and review print, radio, television, and online advertising campaigns as well as sweepstakes, contests, and user-generated content campaigns to ensure they comply with laws and regulations. Her experience also extends to counseling clients on copyright and trademark issues related to ownership, registration, infringement, and licensing.

Prior to returning to Lewis Rice, Charla served as legal counsel for Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Charla was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers® for 2024-2025.

Practice Areas

Education

  • Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (J.D., 2007)
  • Northwestern University (B.A., 2004)
    • Psychology

Legal Background

  • Legal Counsel-Marketing, Whirlpool Corporation (2014-2017)
  • Associate, Lewis Rice LLC (2013-2014)
  • Associate, The Stolar Partnership LLP (2007-2013)

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • Mound City Bar Association
  • Women Lawyer's Association

Admissions

  • Missouri Bar
  • Illinois Bar
  • Michigan Bar

Charitable & Civic Activities

  • Editor, American Bar Association Women Rainmakers Newsletter (2013-2014)

Honors & Awards

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 2023, Missouri Lawyers Media
  • Honoree, Hot List, Lawyers of Color
  • Honoree, 30 Under 30, St. Louis Business Journal
  • Young Leader Award, St. Louis American Foundation

Firm Committees

  • Associate Development Committee