Biography
Leonard J. Essig serves as Practice Group Leader for the Securities, Capital Markets & Investments practice group. As a corporate attorney, Len advises companies in a wide range of industries on general corporate and securities matters including corporate governance, public company reporting and securities compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and public offering and private placement securities transactions. His practice includes advising financial institutions, investment advisers, and other financial service providers in a broad range of matters such as regulatory compliance and enforcement; executive compensation; mergers and acquisitions; and the structure, authority, and activities of his clients' companies and their affiliates.
Prior to joining Lewis Rice in 1993, Len was an attorney for the Office of Thrift Supervision in Washington, DC. He is a frequent speaker on banking and financial services issues. Additionally, Len has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers® 2013-2025, and he was named "Lawyer of the Year" for Corporate Law in 2023 by Best Lawyers.
Practice Areas
- Securities, Capital Markets & Investments
- Banking & Financial
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Corporate Strategies
Education
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law (J.D., 1989)
- Duke University (M.A., 1989)
- Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy
- University of Missouri at Columbia (B.A., 1985)
- Political Science
Legal Background
- Senior attorney, Office of Thrift Supervision, Office of Chief Counsel, Corporate and Securities Division (1989-1993)
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Section on Business Law
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- Missouri Bankers Association
Admissions
- Missouri Bar
- North Carolina Bar
Charitable & Civic Activities
Board of Trustees, Benedictine Health Foundation (2020-present)
Board of Trustees, Nazareth Living Center (2014-present)
Board of Directors, Shooting Star Productions (Youth Theatre) (2010-present)
