Eric Kendall Banks

Member of a national trial team that defended one of our nation's largest financial institutions in a $253 million dollar class action. Received national publicity while representing the wife of the Mayor of Kansas City, Gloria Squitiro, in the famous "Mammy-gate" lawsuit. First chaired approximately 75 jury trials in federal and state courts (has only lost one jury trial where he was the first chair in over 20 years); Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Courts of Appeals for the 7th, 8th and 10th Circuits; U.S. District Court of Kansas; U.S. District Courts of Eastern and Western Missouri; U.S. District Courts of Southern and Central Illinois; AV Rated By Martindale-Hubbell; has been listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Law; selected by peers as a "Super Lawyer" for Missouri and Kansas for several years; former City Counselor for St. Louis; former Adjunct Professor for St. Louis University School of Law and Washington University School of Law; life member of the NAACP and St, Louis Chapter of the Urban League.

University of Missouri - Columbia

J.D. (1980) | Law

1977 - 1980

Tenth African American law student to have graduated in MU's 107 year history.

Activities: Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity; Black Law Student Association; first Graduate Research Assistant for the MU Black Studies Program;

Equity Partner, Senior of Counsel, Business Owner

Privatre Practice of Law

1999 - Current

Worked for two of the largest law firms in the United States before forming his own law firm.

City Counselor

Office of the City Counselor

1997 - 1999

Lead attorney for the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Directed a staff of approximately 40 attorneys as well as attorneys at a dozen different outside law firms. First City Counselor in recent memory to actually try a jury trial while serving as City Counselor. Shepherded the litigation that resulted in clearing the way for the expansion of Lambert International Airport.

Corporate Counsel

Seigel Robert, Inc.

1992 - 1997

Corporate counsel for a St. Louis based manufacturing company with over 8,000 employees in thirteen locations in the United States, Europe and Asia. Supervised and occasionally first chaired litigation. Provided counseling for employment matters.

Trial Lawyer, primarily defending the Burlington Northern Railroad Company.

Private Practice of Law

1987 - 1992

Primarily defended what was at that time known as the Burlington Northern Railroad Company with personal injury, property damage and breach of contract lawsuits in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Assistant Circuit Attorney

Office of the Circuit Attorney

1984 - 1987

Tried dozens of jury trials and hundreds of bench trials while working as a State Prosecutor. Presented over 500 cases before various grand juries. Became a member of the Felony Trial Staff.

Assistant General Counsel

Missouri Public Service Commission

1980 - 1984

Handled utility, and transportation litigation at the Commission, state, and federal levels before regulatory bodies, and state and federal trial and appellate courts.

The Business Case for Diversity in Large Law Firms

Mound City News

April, 2004

Record Retention Policies for Human Resources Departments

The Practical Lawyer, Published by the American Bar Association-American Law Institute Committee on Continuing Professional Education, Volume 49, Number 2

April, 2003

Certified Consulting Hypnotist

National Guild of Hypnotists

Hall of Honor Awardee

Lutheran High School North

2017

Alumni Hall of Fame

Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis

2012

Selected as a former Boys and Girls Club member who has achieved significant community or professional accomplishments.

Bringewatt Social Justice Award

Lutheran Family and Children's Services

2007

Awarded for contributions to social justice for the community in general and members of the Lutheran Church in particular.

Super Lawyer

Missouri Kansas Super Lawyer

2005

Selected by peers to join a group composing of more than 5% of the lawyers in any given state. Awarded most years from 2005 to the present.

Gains Since Gaines

MU School of Law

2003

Included as part of a permanent display at the MU School of Law for being one of the early African American graduates who went on to achieve superior professional accomplishments.

State Bar of Illinois  # 6197156

Member

Current

Illinois

Since 1987

Missouri

Since 1980

7th Circuit

Since 2007

8th Circuit

Since 1984

10th Circuit

Since 2007

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1997

• Credit Cards Accepted
  As well as Pay Pal, Cash App, and Apple Pay.
• Contingent Fees
  On rare occasions where liability and substantial damages are reasonably clear.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  I strive to become the type of person I would want to hire if I needed an attorney.