Three Lewis Rice Attorneys Named 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers
August 20, 2020Best Lawyers in America® has named Lewis Rice members Thomas L. Caradonna, John M. Hessel, and Joseph E. Martineau among its "Lawyers of the Year" for 2021. 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."
Click here to view the 63 Lewis Rice attorneys named in Best Lawyers.
Thomas L. Caradonna, St. Louis Litigation - Real Estate Lawyer of the Year
Tom represents his clients in cases related to complex personal injury, including medical negligence and product liability; business; commercial and property tax litigation; and white collar crime. He has significant experience in property tax law, having successfully represented numerous major corporations and commercial property owners in real estate and business personal property cases across Missouri and many other states. Best Lawyers has included Tom in its annual list since 2013.
John M. Hessel, St. Louis Litigation - Municipal Lawyer of the Year
John represents business clients in commercial transactions and commercial litigation, with a focus and extensive experience in addressing the unique needs of municipalities, local and national media entities, and publishing companies. He has a wealth of experience with labor law, contractual issues, environmental issues, pension issues, zoning, and traditional litigation cases as they relate to municipalities, fire districts, state and local bonding authorities, and other governmental bodies. John has received the "Lawyer of the Year" award for Municipal Law and First Amendment litigation eight out of the last 11 years. Best Lawyers has included John in its annual list since 2009.
Joseph E. Martineau, St. Louis Litigation - First Amendment Lawyer of the Year
Joe focuses his practice primarily on media and communications law. His clients include local and national major media representatives. Joe has tried cases in both the state and federal courts in Missouri and Illinois, and he has argued cases in the appellate and Supreme Courts in each state. He frequently writes articles and publications in the fields of defamation and invasion of privacy law, the First Amendment, and media law in general. Joe previously was named "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation - First Amendment in 2012, 2016, and 2019 and for Media in 2017. Best Lawyers has included him in its annual list since 2005.
