Richard S. Cornfeld

Partner

Direct (314) 552-6023

Fax (314) 552-7023

Overview
Affiliations
Civic Involvement
Matters
Publications
Speeches

Rick practices in the firm’s litigation practice area, concentrating in the areas of toxic tort litigation, where he co-chairs the firm’s practice group; environmental litigation and product liability.

For more than a quarter century, he has defended large corporations in toxic tort, product liability, environmental and other large lawsuits. In the last four years, he has represented national corporations in the agribusiness, pharmaceutical, railroad and tobacco industries. He frequently speaks to industry and bar groups and writes for professional publications.

Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers (1989-present)

American Bar Association

Defense Research Institute (1988-present)

National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (1989-present)

AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee): National Council (2011 to present)
United Hebrew Congregation: Executive Committee (2004-present); President (2008-2009); Board of Trustees; Legal Advisor (1993-2007); Vice-President (2004-2005)
St. Louis University School of Law: Adjunct Professor

Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway

ContiGroup Companies, Inc.

Lorillard Tobacco Co.

Premium Standard Farms, Inc.

Wyeth

Co-Author of the chapter: “Immunologic Laboratory Tests: A Critique of the Alcolac Decision,” in K.R. Foster, ____ Phantom Risk: Scientific Inference and the Law (M.I.T. Press, 1993)

Author of the article: “Questionable Methodology Used in CAFO Study” in the agribusiness trade publication Feedstuffs, Vol. 73, No. 42 (October 8, 2001)

Author of the article: “’Environmental Justice’ in CAFOs Study Questioned” in the agribusiness trade publication Feedstuffs, Vol. 73, No. 41 (October 1, 2001)

Co-author of the chapter: “Medicolegal Aspects of Head Injury” in the book entitled Head Injury Postconcussive Syndrome (1996)

Author, FELA Solvent Cases “Fighting the Adverse Epidemiological Study” (July/August 1994)

Co-Author, “Claims Arising from Chemical Spills: Plaintiffs’ Tricks,” For the Defense The Environment and the Law (DRI, February, 1994)

Author, “Defending Against Solvent Cases” Non-Specific Injury Handbook (NARTC, 1994)

Author, “Help Stamp Out Junk Science: A Practical Approach” For the Defense, Curbing the Junk Scientist (DRI, April, 1993)

Lecturer, “How To Be a Good Neighbor” National Pork Board Pork Academy (Indianapolis, June 2000, Des Moines, June 2002)

Lecturer, “Environmental Groups – Who Are They and How Do They Affect the Industry?” Pork Lending Conference (2001)

Lecturer, “Closed Head Injury Claims” Iowa Defense Counsel, Des Moines, Iowa (September 1998)

Lecturer, “The Case of the Deadly Solvent: Solve It!” National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel Winter Meeting, Florida (February, 1995)

Lecturer and Co-Author, “Handling Plaintiffs’ ‘Tricks of the Trade’ Involving Causation in a Trial of a Toxic Tort Case” Environmental Hazardous Waste and Toxic Tort Litigation Symposium, Defense Research Institute (March, 1993)

Lecturer, FELA Solvent Cases, “Fighting the Adverse Epidemiological Study” Spring Meeting, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, Pebble Beach, California (April/May, 1993)

Lecturer, “Relax Doctor, This Won't Hurt a Bit -- Eliminating the Treating Physician as a Causation Witness” Annual Meeting, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, Broadmoor, Colorado (July, 1993)

Lecturer, “Help Stamp Out Junk Science” Litigation Practice Institute, Columbus Bar Association (October, 1993)

Education

Northwestern University School of Law: J.D., cum laude (1975); Order of the Coif; Law Review, Notes & Comments Editor (1974-1975)
University of Michigan: B.A., with distinction (1972)

Employment

Thompson Coburn LLP: Partner (1980-Present); Co-Chair, Toxic Tort Practice Group
Bergson, Bookland, Morgolis & Adler: Washington, DC (1977-1980)
Honorable John F. Grady: Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, Northern District, Illinois (1976)