Biography

Jacob W. Reby concentrates his practice in structuring, negotiating, drafting, and closing a wide variety of real estate, corporate, and financing transactions. Jake represents developers, owners, users, institutions, and lenders. His clients are involved in office, retail, hospitality, residential, energy, health care, multi-family, industrial plants, shopping center, and redevelopment projects including site selection and zoning, incentives, acquisition of land and construction of infrastructure and buildings, sales and leasing activities, construction and permanent financing, and restructuring and workouts. His four volume treatise, Banking and Lending Institution Forms, has been the top selling bank forms book in the country for more than 20 years.

Jake has also served as outside general counsel to several companies. He has successfully closed more than 100 corporate purchase and sale transactions. He is one of only four lawyers in Missouri to be elected a Fellow of both the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.

Jake is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers® 2007-2025, and was selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® 2005-2023. In addition, he is recognized in The International Who's Who of Real Estate Lawyers for 2011-2020. Jake is a frequent speaker and author for bar association and industry groups.

Practice Areas

Education

  • New York University School of Law (LL.M. in Corporation Law)
  • Saint Louis University School of Law (J.D.)
    • Saint Louis University Law Journal
    • Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, outstanding graduate
    • Murphy Inn Chapter, President
  • Washington University in St. Louis (B.S.B.A.)
    • Accounting

Professional Affiliations

  • Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers
    • Leasing Committee
    • Hotels, Resorts and Hospitality Industry Committee
  • Fellow, American College of Mortgage Attorneys
    • Past President
    • Membership Committee
    • Opinions Committee
  • Director, The PrivateBank (2000-2014)
  • Advisory Director, Mark Twain Bank (1985-1991)
  • Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association (1986-2003)
  • Committee Council, Missouri Corporation Law and Business Organizations Committee (1977-1980, 1987-1989)

Admissions

  • Missouri Bar

Charitable & Civic Activities

  • Director and past President, Ozark Regional Land Trust (2008-2017)
  • Director and Executive Committee, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (2007-present)
  • Director, Rung Foundation, Inc. (2019-present)
  • Chairman, Clayton Public Art Advisory Commission (2014-present)
  • Jewish Federation of St. Louis (Director and President of Leadership Development Council, 1978-1980; Co-President of Cardozo Society, 2007-2009)
  • Charter Class, Parkway Alumni Association Hall of Fame
  • Chairman and Director, Saint Louis Art Fair (1993-2007)
  • Chairman and Director, Saint Louis Jazz Festival (2000-2007)
  • Governor, Westwood Country Club (2005-2007)
  • Director, The Big Read (2006-2007)
  • Director, Clayton Child Center and Clayton Academy (1984-2003)
  • Vice Chairman and Director, AMC Cancer Research Center Foundation (1995-2000)
  • President and Director, Clayton Chamber of Commerce (1979-1997)
  • President and Director, Laumeier Sculpture Park (1988-1995)
  • President and Director, Clayton Athletic Association (1986-1988)