Robert Grant Pennell

Although not born in Saint Louis, I’ve lived here for forty years, and consider myself a Saint Louisan. I’m a graduate of Washington University–Olin School of Business, and Saint Louis University – School of Law. And in case you, too, are a Saint Louisan, I graduated from Parkway Central Senior High School.

Unlike most of my contemporaries, I did not go directly to law school upon graduating from college. I spent five years as an Engineer Planner at McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), managing multimillion-dollar engineering development programs for the United States military and its allies. Complying with the demanding requirements of government requests for proposals and contractual reporting more than prepared me for the rigors of the law. It helped me to hone the business sense to not merely identify potential problems/roadblocks, but to actually craft effective solutions, which is precisely how BUSINESS gets done.

I began my legal career as a trial attorney at sizable firms, including one of the oldest insurance defense firms in Saint Louis, as well as the local office of a large international firm out of Chicago. While there, I engaged in every aspect of litigation, from Pre-Trial Discovery and Dispositive Motion practice up to and including First Chair Jury Trials and Appellate Argument before the Missouri and Federal Courts of Appeal.

While initially a litigator, I have spent most of my twenty-five plus years practicing law representing businesses, large and small. Due to my business background, I deliberately transitioned to representing businesses, particularly in regard to employment and contractual matters. In so doing, I’ve assisted businesses from small start-ups to large regional enterprises and Fortune 500 companies including.

Through Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ my fellow lawyers have assigned me a 5.0 out of 5.0 AV Preeminent Rating – the highest rating available. After all, that is how BUSINESS gets done!

Saint Louis University School of Law

J.D. (1993) | Business Associations, Tax, Antitrust

Washington University in St. Louis

B.S.B.A. (1985) | Business Administration, Accounting, Finance & Operations

Owner

Law Offices of Robert Grant Pennell, LLC

2001 - Current

Focusing on assisting small business owners start and develop their businesses.

General Counsel

DCSC, Inc.

1998 - Current

Senior Associate

Steven Schumaier & Associates, PC

1999 - 2001

Senior Associate

Landau, Omahana & Kopka, Ltd.

1997 - 1999

Associate

Moser & Marsalek, PC

1993 - 1997

Antitrust Faculty Research Assistant

St. Louis University School Of Law

1992 - 1993

Judicial Intern

U.S. District Court - Southern District Illinois

1992 - 1992

Engineering Planner

McDonnell Douglas Corporation

1986 - 1992

Legal Entity Selection, and Licensing & Taxes (Monthly), Starting and Managing the Small Business Workshop (Monthly)

2022

Service Corps of Retired & Working Executives (SCORE)

Employee Performance, Discipline, and Discharge, Missouri Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now

November 19, 2021

National Business Institute

Legal Entity Selection, Licensing & Taxes, and Accounting & Finance (Monthly), Starting and Managing the Small Business Workshop (Monthly)

2021

Service Corps of Retired & Working Executives (SCORE)

Controlling Unemployment Compensation Costs, Mini Law School for HR Professionals

September 2020

National Business Institute

Legal Entity Selection, Licensing & Taxes, and Accounting & Finance (Monthly), Starting and Managing the Small Business Workshop (Monthly)

2020

Service Corps of Retired & Working Executives (SCORE)

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0 Peer Review Rated

Martindale-Hubbell

2022

Peer rated for the highest level of professional excellence.

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0 Peer Review Rated

Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Peer rated for the highest level of professional excellence.

Pro Bono Award

American Bar Association

2021

Best Business Attorneys

St. Louis Small Business Monthly

2021

Pro Bono Award

American Bar Association

2020

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Missouri

Board Member

2021 - Current

Service Corps of Retired & Working Executives (SCORE)

Auxiliary Member

2015 - Current

American Bar Association, Business Law Section

Member

2015 - Current

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, LLCs, Partnerships and Unincorporated Business Entities Committee

Member

2015 - Current

Missouri Bar, Solo and Small Firm Planning Committee

Member

2012 - Current

Missouri

The Missouri Bar

ID Number: 43014

Since 1993

• Free Consultation
  Note that a free consultation is merely an opportunity to discuss your issue to determine if this firm can be of assistance.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  I prefer to charge on a flat fee basis whenever feasible to provide some level of certainty over what your financial obligations will be.

• Unemployment Claims & Appeals

Q. Is it legal for my employer to make me clean feces without proper safety equipment?

March 23, 2025

A: Yes, your employer can require you to perform those duties. If you have concerns about doing so without rubber gloves, bring some from home.

Q. Seeking legal advice on filing retaliation, ADA discrimination, and constructive dismissal claims.

March 16, 2025

A: You haven’t actually asked a question, but I will attempt to provide some general information regarding discrimination claims.

You indicate you filed a complaint against your boss for preferential treatment. That is just another way of saying discrimination, so what was the basis for the discrimination? You need to understand that discriminating against you is only illegal if it is based on you being a member of a protected class. The protected classes are race, age (40+), sex, religion, national origin, and disability. An employer can discriminate against employees on any basis so long as it is not BECAUSE the employee is a member of a protected class. So I can treat you badly because you are a Cubs fan, your taste in music, the sound of your voice, etc. I just can’t do so because of your race, sex, age, religion, national origin, or disability. Similarly, if the complaint of preferential treatment wasn’t based on a protected class, then retaliation isn’t legally prohibited.

You said you asked about accommodations for your disability, and that you were asked to provide a doctor’s note. To obtain a reasonable accommodation under the ADA, you must make a formal request which will require your doctor to provide detailed information about any specific accommodation sought.

You mention the employer refused your severance request, but no one is entitled to severance unless they have an employment contract in writing providing for severance. While companies sometimes offer severance, it is seldom obligated to do so.

I lack sufficient information of your situation to say whether or not you have a viable case. The above reflects the general legal principles at issue. If based on your review of the above you feel you have evidence of the employer violating your rights, I suggest you consult with an employment attorney who primarily represents employees to discuss your case. ... Read More

Q. Is my lease void if landlord's mortgage forbids leasing?

March 8, 2025

A: I see no legal basis for the lease to be void. The landlord’s apparent breach of the mortgage terms should have no bearing on your lease obligations.