Donna Sue Clark Frayne

Three words are repeatedly used by clients to describe me -- down to Earth. When you contact my law firm, you will meet with me, the attorney who will handle your case from beginning to end. I can also come to you whether you are in the hospital or at your home. You will be given my cell phone number and e-mail address. We will make it our business to get to know you and what your specific needs are.

You will never be just a file number or a case to us. As challenging as this experience may be for you and your family, you can rely on us to give you the compassion, help and support you deserve. I not only have legal experience. I have life experience.

I am prepared to put my many years of legal experience, knowledge and courtroom skills to work for you. Your goals become our goals.

I am a lifelong resident of St. Louis, and grew up near the white water tower on East Grand Ave. I graduated from Rosati-Kain High School in the Central West End. After marrying my high school sweetheart and while raising a family, I attended the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) and graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Since graduating from St. Louis University School of Law and receiving a Juris Doctor degree in 1992, I have been in private practice representing injured persons in Missouri, Illinois, and the Federal courts. It is the only type of law I have ever practiced or wanted to practice.

Paralegal Nichole Faust and I have worked together as a team for over 15 years. We get to know our clients on a personal basis and focus on their needs and goals. Our clients and their families have been injured physically and/or emotionally as a result of someone else's negligence. We treat clients with "small" cases the same as those with "big" cases. Cases are "big" to those going through them. Nichole and I never lose sight of that fact.

My trial experience began very early in my career. My first trial was before a St. Louis jury -- two weeks after passing the Missouri Bar Exam. From that day on, I have relished the challenge of convincing jurors to return verdicts in favor of my clients. I have never taken a case to trial without fully believing that my client deserved the compensation I requested from the jury or judge. An attorney who once argued against me in court stated that I was not a lawyer. He said rather that I was a "pit bull with jewelry." I took that as a compliment.

Over the years, there has been a trend toward taking a case to mediation before it is tried in court. For most of my clients, mediation has been a positive experience and oftentimes avoids the risk and stress of a trial for them. However, I want my clients to know that from the time I take their case, I have an eye toward taking it to trial if necessary. The cases in my firm belong to my clients, not anyone else. With guidance from me, the clients decide whether or not to accept a settlement or go to trial. 

When away from work, I enjoy spending time with my husband of almost 40 years, my two daughters and seven (so far) grandkids. I am very involved in my Parish and community, love motorcycles, building/remodeling and scuba diving.