Biography
Taylor J. Essner practices in the Litigation Department of Lewis Rice. Taylor focuses on construction law, commercial litigation, products liability, and class actions. He has successfully represented contractors and project owners in high-stakes lawsuits and arbitrations, managed complex multi-party litigation, and advised clients on risk mitigation strategies to avoid costly disputes.
Taylor's work spans numerous industries, including the construction, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and healthcare sectors. He has handled cases and arbitrations involving construction defects, delay and disruption claims, mechanic’s liens, contract disputes, defective products and parts, and catastrophic personal injuries.
Taylor was selected for inclusion in the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list for 2023 and 2024.
Practice Areas
Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2017)
- 1843 Scholar
- Order of the Woolsack
- Academic Excellence Award for Highest Grade in Legal Research and Writing, Federal Courts, Antitrust Law, Secured Transactions, and others
- Editor, Saint Louis University Law Journal
- Saint Louis University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2014)
- Economics, Philosophy
- Provost Scholar; Pre-law Scholar
- Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
- Chaplain, Sigma Phi Epsilon
Legal Background
- Judicial extern, Hon. Henry E. Autrey, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri (Fall 2016)
- Summer associate, Lewis Rice LLC (2016)
- Intern, U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri (2015)
Admissions
- Missouri Bar
- Illinois Bar
Charitable & Civic Activities
- Member, Missouri Athletic Club
- Member, St. Louis Sports Commission Associates
