$ 195-250 per hour
Debbie S. Champion
About Debbie
Biography
Debbie Champion is a founding partner in the firm Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch and Champion. Ms. Champion actively practices in Missouri and Southern Illinois state and federal courts. She has argued before the Missouri Supreme Court and the Eastern, Western and Southern District Missouri Courts of Appeals, and the Illinois Court of Appeals. She has also argued in the federal court of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, and the Eighth Circuit and the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. She is a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.
Ms. Champion has been included on the list of the top 100 attorneys in Missouri. She is honored to be included in the Best Lawyers in America, and she appears on the Best Lawyers list in Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, Insurance Law, and Litigation-Insurance. She was also selected to be a member of Litigation Counsel of America, an honorary society honoring the top one-half of one percent of American lawyers. For a number of years, Ms. Champion has been named as one of the top 50 Women Lawyers in Missouri and Kansas by Superlawyers. Champion achieved the most Defense Verdicts in Missouri in 2012 and 2013 and one of the largest Defense Wins in 2011. She was honored as one of Ten Outstanding Young St. Louisans by the St. Louis Junior Chamber of Commerce. She is rated as Superb on . In 2013, she received the CLMP certification as a certified litigation management professional from her study at the Columbia School of Law in New York.
Ms. Champion received the Lawyer's Lawyer Award by the Women's Justice Awards. She is a recipient of the William McAlpin Pro Bono Award, an Outstanding Volunteer Award from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and the Missouri Pro Bono Publico Award from the Missouri Bar Association. She was recently honored by the Women's Law Caucus of Washington University for her commitment to the advancement of women in the law. She was selected as an Outstanding Young Alumni of Washington University in 2012.
Ms. Champion serves on the Board of Lift for Life Academy, the first charter school in St. Louis. She is also on the Board of Seeds of Blessing, the for-profit arm of the Blessing Basket Project. In the past, she served on the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Directors of Shelter the Children. She was an active early member of Kids' Inc., a charitable organization for underprivileged children of East St. Louis, Illinois. Ms. Champion is founder and president of Tools for Schools, a not for profit corporation which distributes school supplies to needy schools and children.
Ms. Champion has authored several published articles and book chapters. She often presents educational seminars to clients and to the legal community, including several annual conference presentations to industry groups each year.
Ms. Champion is an Advocate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial. She serves as the Treasurer of the Missouri/Southern Illinois Chapter. She is a member of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, formerly Council for Litigation Management. She serves as the Secretary of the St. Louis CLM chapter. She is on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. She is a Fellow in the American Bar Foundation.
Ms. Champion served on the 21st Judicial Circuit Judicial Commission as part of Missouri's non-partisan court plan for a 6 year term. Ms. Champion has served for the Supreme Court of Missouri as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee to Study Expert Discovery. In 2013, she acted as the Chairman of the Steering Committee for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.
Litigation Practice Areas:
Transportation
Premises Liability
Products Liability
Personal Injury
Municipal Law
Employment Law
Fraud and Misrepresentation
Corporate & Commercial Litigation
Subrogation
Probate & Estate Planning
Pharmacy Liability
Domestic Relations
Education:
Columbia University, Certified Litigation Management Professional, 2013
Washington University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 1988
Murray State University, Bachelor of Science, Psychology, 1983,
Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, 1983, Psychology Masters Coursework, 1984, 1985
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Lawsuits and Disputes
50%
38 years | 12,500 cases
Car Accident
20%
38 years | 12,000 cases
Transportation
20%
38 years | 11,500 cases
Employment and Labor
10%
38 years | 800 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 36 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Licensed in Missouri for 37 years
State: Missouri
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Location
Rynearson Suess Schnurbusch & Champion, LLC
500 North Broadway, Suite 1550, Saint Louis, MO, 63102-2448
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Debbie S. Champion's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Marsia | April 17, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
COO
Debbie assisted me with corporate and employment contract legal advice. Specifically navigating an employment agreement and business acquisition case. Her legal advice was honest and helped me considerably with a challenging situation. I appreciate her fair minded legal expertise.
Posted by anonymous | March 22, 2013
Very capable and competent in all matters. Someone you can trust and that has your best interest at heart, whole heartily.
She is very caring and makes you feel safe which is huge when dealing with legal matters, I feel honored to have had her represent me as well as my family.
Posted by Bob | March 30, 2011
Experience with Ms. Debbie Champion and Staff of RSS&C
I have worked with Debbie Champion and her associates of RSS&C for the past 6+ years, in myriad of varying situations for the Company I work, for which I am the Corporate Credit Manager. Issues ranged from simple advise on how to proceed in Construction Business related matters to filing of liens, t...
Posted by Paul | January 20, 2011
Debbie Champion is an excellent lawyer.
Debbie was my adversary in a very big case. Her skill and professionalism were truly exceptional.
Posted by Ronnett | January 19, 2011
Review
I would highly recommend Debbie as a trial lawyer. She is very detailed minded and highly organized. She is a great communicator. Debbie is a very likable person and this quality comes across at trial. She has an ability to connect with the jury. She also has a very good ability to read the jury ...
Debbie S. Champion's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a skilled and diligent trial lawyer, as well as a tenacious and talented negotiator."
"Debbie excels in understanding the nuances of a case and developing a strategy that gives her client the clear advantage. If she is on your side, you have the gold standard in an advocate; if you are her opponent, you better keep on your toes."
"I highly recommend Debbie Champion. She has been my opposing counsel on multiple cases over the course of the last 23 years. In my opinion, she is one of the most skilled trial lawyers in St. Louis. She is is honest, ethical and -- as an added bonus -- an exceptional human being."
"I have known Debbie for years. She is always prepared and represents her clients very effectively."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I know Debbie from law school, and I was also on the opposite side of a few cases with her. Debbie could charm a grizzly bear, which is why she is such a good trial lawyer. I would heartily endorse Debbie for any personal injury matter."
"I think it would be fair to say that I have never met an attorney who had something bad to say about Debbie Champion. I have had 4 or 5 cases against her and her office. Without exception, Debbie is one of the nicest, most professional and upstanding attorneys that I know. Litigation can get mean and nasty sometimes. Opposing counsel might not be trusted in certain cases. I have experienced none of that when dealing with Debbie. I trust her implicitly and would be happy to litigate against her in the future. I can see why juries love her. She's a wonderful person."
"I endorse this lawyer. Debbie is not just a good lawyer, she is a genuinely good person! She knows the law and is a tough advocate for her clients. Her reputation is outstanding, and well deserved."
"I endorse this lawyer. Debbie is a remarkable lawyer whose professionalism is unparalleled."
"Debbie is a highly effective trial attorney and has an excellent demeanor with the jury."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is well known in legal circles for excellent care and professionalism"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ms. Champion for over 20 years, and I am familiar with her qualities as a person and lawyer by virtue of the fact that we worked together for several years, and have continued as friends and colleagues ever since. Ms. Chamption is a terrific and fearless litigator who is willing to take on difficult cases and handle them with success. She has a great work ethic and tends to all of the details involved in her cases. The combination of her work ethic, her attention to detail and her talent make her one of the best civil litigation attorneys in the Greater St. Louis area. I would not hesitate to hire her if I was in need of legal represenation, and I have referred her to several friends, clients and family members through the years, all of whom have been completely satisfied with the quality of work."
"I cannot say enough good things about this lawyer. She is a brilliant litigator who will fights hard and gets the best possible result for her client. To say I endorse her is an understatement. She is highly professional, extremely courteous and always prepared. Although she is a tough litigator, she is compassionate toward her clients and truly cares about them. She is highly respected in the legal community. She has an engaging personality that helps resolve many cases with other lawyers."
"Debbie is a fabulous lawyer. She has a way of charming witnesses and juries that I have not seen equaled. Moreover, behind the charm is a first class mind that doesn't miss a thing. She just makes things look effortless."
"Debbie is one of the best insurance defense attorneys in St. Louis. She is very reasonable and professional, but also a fantastic advocate when trying a jury case. If I am ever sued for causing a serious car accident, I want Debbie to represent me!"
"Debbie is an excellent and highly respected lawyer in the St. Louis legal community. I highly endorse her litigation skills in personal injury and domestic cases."
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Experience
Honors
2011
William McAlpin Pro Bono Award, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
2010
Top 10 Defense Verdicts, Missouri Lawyers Weekly
2009
Women in Law Award, Women's Law Caucus Washington University School of Law
2008
Lawyer's Lawyer, Women Justice Awards
2007
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
1995
10 Outstanding Young St Louisans, St Louis Junior of Commerce
N/A
Pro Bono Publico Award, The Missouri Bar
N/A
Volunteer Lawyer Award, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Work Experience
2000 - Present
Partner, Rynearson Suess Schnurbusch & Champion LLC
1998 - 2000
Partner, Evans and Dixon
1988 - 1998
Associate, Evans and Dixon
Associations
2010 - Present
Theodore McMillian American Inn of CourtMaster
2009 - Present
Lift for Life AcademyBoard Member
2009 - Present
National Association of Professional WomenMember
2009 - Present
National Restaurant and Retail Defense AssociationMember
2008 - Present
Tools 4 SchoolsPresident
2007 - Present
Council for Litigation ManagementAttorney Member
2007 - Present
Litigation Counsel of AmericaFellow
2000 - Present
Lawyer's Association of St. LouisMember
2000 - Present
Defense Research Institute, Insurance Law CommitteeMember
1995 - Present
Missouri Organization of Defense LawyersMember
1989 - Present
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. LouisMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Monnye Gross v. SNR, Manning, Theil, and Bracht
Case settled after 5 days of trial with individual Defendant and Plaintiff dismissed case against all other defendants after 7 days of trial
Amanda Simmons et al v Heartland Wood Products
Won-Defendant Verdict
Barbara Laber v. Dierbergs Markets, LLC
Won--Defendant Verdict
Education
1988
Washington University School of Law
J.D.
1983
Murray State University
B. S.
Speaking Engagements
2011
2011
2011
Adjuster Training
Missouri First Party and Third Party Bad Faith Claims
2010
Quarterly Meeting
Negotiation 101
2010
Missouri Legal Update
Voir Dire
Publications
2011
Public Risk Magazine
Workers’ Comp Top Ten: How to Cut Costs in 2011
2004
Missouri Practice Guide
Subrogation Chapter in Workers' Compensation Volume
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is there any legal recourse for this situation?
26 Dec 2020
Q&A
Would it be worth it to file a lawsuit against an HVAC company ?
26 Dec 2020
Q&A
What happens when your court ordered to get finger printed within. 20 days & you get it done later.
03 Sep 2018