About

         I was born in Washington, Indiana in 1957 and was raised in Eureka, Missouri, graduating from EurekaHigh School in 1975.  I attended ColumbiaCollege, Columbia, Missouri where I majored in history and government, and from which I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979.  While attending ColumbiaCollege, I participated in student government, Young Democrats’ Club, and other various student activities.  I became a member of Alpha Chi, Missouri Epsilon Chapter.  While a student in ColumbiaCollege’s first oral history class, I collected several oral histories from former Missouri Justices of the Peace, some who later became Magistrate Judges.  I was recognized by ColumbiaCollege as the outstanding graduate in government for 1978-79.         Following completion of my BA, I enrolled in and attended  the Universityof Missouri, Columbia School of Law, and graduated with my Juris Doctorate degree in 1982, the same year I was admitted to the Missouri Bar Association.  While a law student I was a member of the editorial staff of the Missouri Law Review in 1980-82.  My case note “Removal and the Child’s Best Interest in Change of Custody Disputes” was published in the Missouri Law Review, Volume 47, in 1982.  I also prepared a comment regarding structured settlements, then a new concept in personal injury law, under the supervision of Elwood Thomas, a practicing attorney who later was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court.  In Law School I was a member of the Order of the Coif, which is restricted to the upper ten percent of the graduating class.         I joined the Thurman Law firm in 1982 as an associate and became a partner in 1987.  While a member of this firm I have represented numerous clients, including matters concerning real estate and land law, business and corporate law, contracts, wills, trusts, estate planning, probate law, personal injury law, workers’ compensation law, social security disability law, domestic law and juvenile law.  I have and continue to represent various real estate developers, contractors, subdivision associations, real property owners regarding real estte and development matters; public water, sanitary sewer and fire districts regarding municipal matters; individuals and companies organizing business entities and selling or buying businesses and business assets;   owners of rental property, residential and commercial, including mobile home parks, apartment complexes, houses, store front buildings, strip centers and malls; and individuals in estate planning and probate estate and Trust administration matters. I hve represented various clients in each of these matters in litigation.         In addition to all Missouri Circuit and Appellate Courts, I am licensed to practice in the United States District Court and United States Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Missouri, the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.        I became a member of the Missouri and Jefferson County Bar Associations in 1982.  I have served as president and as secretary of the Jefferson County Bar Association.  I am also a member of the American Bar Association.         I was married in 1981.  My wife, Jan, attended ColumbiaCollege and majored in social work.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in 1981. We moved to festus in 1982 and remain a part of that community. We have three children who have graduated high school and college.          I have been  active in his community.  I have served as Cub Master, Charter Committee Chairperson, Treasurer and Den Leader of Cub Pack 482, and as an adult leader and Treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 426.  I have served as a member of the Board of Directors, President and Treasurer of the Twin City Little League and as a coach for Little League regular season and All-Star teams.  Jan and I served at First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City as Sunday school teachers, and I also served as a member and chairperson of its nominating committee, and as a member and President of its Board of Directors.  We presently atend adn serve as teachers at Good News Community Church. I have served as a member of the Board of Directors of Jefferson County Growth  Association, including two years as president.  I assisted the organizers who organized the Twin City Youth Football Association and the Jefferson County Parks Foundation.  I am a member of Elks Lodge #1721.        I have addressed various groups and organizations on legal topics including real estate, estate planning, and estate administration. 

Practices Areas

Business

Real Estate

Probate

Language

English

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