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John M. Hessel, Charles F. Miller, Lisa A. Veselich and Tom W. Zook Named “Lawyers of the Year”

Best Lawyers in America® has named St. Louis members John M. Hessel and Tom W. Zook and Kansas City members Charles F. Miller and Lisa A. Veselich, among their "Lawyers of the Year" for 2015. Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Only one attorney in each practice area and designated metropolitan area may receive the honor of "Lawyer of the Year."

John M. Hessel, St. Louis Litigation – Municipal Lawyer of the Year

John represents business clients across the country. His diverse practice allows him to handle negotiations, litigation, arbitrations, and mediations involving contractual issues, intellectual property, complex litigation matters, and class actions. He is a frequent speaker on municipal law and media law issues. John previously received the "Lawyer of the Year" award for municipal law in 2011 and 2013 and for First Amendment litigation in 2014. Best Lawyers has included him in its annual list since 2009.

Tom W. Zook, St. Louis Securities/Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year

Tom has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, corporate finance, general corporate law, and corporate governance. He represents public and private company clients from across the country. As a certified public accountant, he has a strong financial background and the experience to handle his clients' sophisticated corporate and business needs. He has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers since 2007.

Charles F. Miller, Kansas City Real Estate Lawyer of the Year

The varied nature of Charlie's real estate practice allows him to work on a wide spectrum of real estate projects and issues. He provides thoughtful counsel to clients on development, redevelopment, and development incentives; governmental approvals; planning and zoning; and tax issues. Charlie serves as the Chairman of the Kansas City office's Real Estate Department. Best Lawyers previously recognized him as "Lawyer of the Year" for real estate in 2010 and for land use and zoning in 2012 and has been listed in Best Lawyers since 1997.

Lisa A. Veselich, Kansas City Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year

Lisa concentrates her practice on estate and gift tax planning. She has experience on issues such as generation-skipping transfer tax, multi-generational planning, charitable gift planning, probate and trust administration, and the drafting of complex estate plans. She serves her clients with a unique perspective, as she holds a certified public accountant certificate. Best Lawyers awarded her the same "Lawyer of the Year" title in 2013. She has been included in their annual list since 2012.


Throughout our Firm's history, Lewis Rice attorneys have made excellence the foundation of our practice. Founded in 1909, more than a century of service has given us the experience, resources and tools to serve our clients' dynamic needs. Our diverse team of more than 150 attorneys provides counsel and solutions for the challenges facing local, regional and national businesses, as well as individuals and families. Lewis Rice maintains offices in downtown St. Louis, suburban Town & Country and Washington, Missouri and Edwardsville, Illinois. We also have offices in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and suburban Overland Park, Kansas.