Joan M. Swartz
Managing Attorney
Joan has managed her own law firm for more than 20 years. She decided to start her own law firm with only one goal in mind, to deliver the best possible legal services to her clients in a relaxed small office setting. The focus of Joan’s law firm is simple – it is their clients that drive us. Joan and her team strive to maximize recovery for their clients while adhering to the highest professional standards. Their results speak for them.
Joan has extensive litigation experience, and focuses on handling employment related disputes, complex commercial matters and issues involving small businesses and individuals. She has litigated these issues throughout the region—appearing in all area courts, appellate courts and the Missouri Supreme Court. Joan has secured jury verdicts in all ranges, including in excess of $7,000,000 and $9.200,000 on behalf of victims of discrimination and has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally for her work. The clients and Joan’s love of the law are the reasons she does this work.
Joan grew up in St. Louis, and continually dedicates herself to the betterment of the community, through volunteer work and service to fellow members of her chosen profession. Joan lives and works in St. Louis, where her husband of 37 years and she raised their family. Joan’s hobbies include exploring our world, exploring new and old places in and around St. Louis, listening to music, and being with friends and family. See Joan's resume to learn more about her background and experience.
Education & Academic Honors
Saint Louis University School of Law, Class of 1987, J.D.
Saint Louis University, Class of 1984, A.B.
Bar Admissions
Supreme Court of Missouri, 1987
Supreme Court of Illinois, 1988
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, 1988
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 1987
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, 1997
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1989
United States Supreme Court, 1996
Representative Cases
Tsai v. Orkin
Buchman v. Terminix
Professional Affiliations
Missouri Bar
Board of Governors – representing District IX (Saint Louis County)
2010-present
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
President, 2002-2003
President-Elect, 2001-2002
Vice President, 2000-2001
Treasurer, 1999-2000
Secretary, 1998-1999
Member Representative to Executive Committee, 1997-1998
Member, Board of Governors, 1995-2004
St. Louis Bar Foundation
President, 2003-2004
Past President, 2004-2005
American Bar Association
Small Firm Division, General Practice
Council Member 2019-present
Executive Committee Member 2021
Editorial Board, General Practice
Member of House of Delegates
Missouri Young Lawyers' Section Representative, 1997-2000
Young Lawyers’ Division, Member of House of Delegates, 1993-1999
Elected to Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section District IX Representative, 1994-1998
Saint Louis University School of Law
Adjunct Professor, Saint Louis University School of Law, Civil Practice 1994-2000;
Articles/Speaking Engagements
Co-Author, First Statewide Domestic Violence Handbook published by Missouri Bar Young Lawyers' Division
“Tax Treatment of Environmental Clean-Up Costs”, Missouri Environmental Law and Policy Review, Volume 4, No. 3, 1997
St. Louis Lawyer, President's Page 2002-2003 St. Louis Bar Journal, President's Page 2002-2003
National Business Institute Seminar, Advanced LLC Issues in Missouri, Author 'Case Law Pertaining to LLCs' and 'Ethical Issues Related to Representing LLCs', July 2005;
Speaker and Moderator UMKC 15 Hour Review of Law, 2003-present
Speaker United States Arbitration and Mediation Seminar, 'Representing Employees in Arbitration and Mediation', April 2005;
Speaker Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference, 'Current Issues in ADR', June 2002;
Frequent Guest Speaker, U.S. Naturalization Ceremony, performed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, 2002 – present.