Stevenson, Laurel

Ms. Stevenson is Of Counsel in the torts and business litigation departments.  She has practiced in Missouri since 1997 where she has defended cases in more than ten counties and successfully obtained judgments in excess of $200,000 for two commercial clients.  Prior to practicing in Missouri, she was in-house counsel for AEGON Corporation and Capital Indemnity Corporation where she was responsible for handling coverage matters and managing litigation in several states involving ERISA, dram shop actions, bad faith, professional liability and coverage.  She also worked in the Wisconsin State Legislature, making presentations to the Business and Torts Subcommittees and served as the primary author of a publication for attorneys regarding case and legislative developments.  After starting her practice in Missouri, Ms. Stevenson became the managing partner of a civil defense litigation firm.  She has obtained two of the top defense verdicts in a given year in Missouri, including a case of first impression where the plaintiff sought more than $30 million in damages.  She has successfully defended more than 50 jury trials and numerous bench trials.  She secured directed verdicts in a first party case involving more than $1 million in claimed damages, and in a personal injury case where she represented an adjoining landowner.

Ms. Stevenson has handled complex claims and litigation involving toxic torts in the areas of lead, carbon monoxide and aflotoxins/mycotoxins.  She has secured summary judgments in several products liability, premises and coverage cases.  Her work has included products liability, coverage opinions and declaratory judgment actions, defamation, unfair claims practices, employment related practices, personal injury, wrongful death, trucking and automobile liability, premises liability and breach of contract.  She has resolved hundreds of cases through mediation, arbitration and informal settlement negotiations.

Ms. Stevenson is a frequent lecturer and speaker on witness preparation, claims and litigation analysis and risk management.