WILLIAMS VENKER & SANDERS NEWS

ST. LOUIS, MO – January 7, 2009 – Williams Venker & Sanders is pleased to announce that Patrick Chavez and John Lord have been elected Partners in the firm.

Mr. Chavez joined Williams Venker & Sanders in 2003 as an Associate and focuses his practice exclusively on the defense of complex civil litigation matters. Specifically, he concentrates his practice in the areas of medical malpractice defense, products and professional liability defense, commercial litigation and defending catastrophic personal injury claims. Mr. Chavez is extensively involved in a number of community and professional organizations. Most notably, he is the Co-chair for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Minorities in the Legal Profession Committee and sits on the organization’s Board of Governors as a Member-At-Large.

Mr. Lord joined the firm as Of Counsel in 2005. Prior to Williams Venker & Sanders, he worked as a trial attorney for the Union Pacific Railroad Company for nearly 12 years. Mr. Lord concentrates his practice primarily on railroad, products liability and personal injury litigation. He previously served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County, Missouri, specializing in the prosecution of violent criminal and narcotics offenses. In addition to frequently lecturing around the country, Mr. Lord also serves a Municipal Judge for the City of Warson Woods, Missouri.

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