Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC

Lawyers like words. They throw them around a lot, but in truth, words are central to our profession; they tell the story of a case, they light up the facts.

Our firm has some choice words that we believe tell our story, and we do not use them lightly. The businesses that have partnered with us for more than 35 years know that the words efficient, dedicated, superior service and cost consciousness are not empty platitudes when used to describe our legal services.

Recognized nationally in defense litigation, BSCR is a Midwest firm founded in 1982 by four attorneys. Having grown substantially, the firm's overarching philosophy has remained constant: Obtain the most favorable results possible for clients as quickly as possible at a reasonable cost.

You will be hard-pressed to find a litigation defense firm in the Midwest with as extensive a case history as ours. With nearly 60 lawyers and a substantial staff of litigation paralegals and technical specialists, the types of cases we handle rival much larger firms with a "litigation" department. Centrally located in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, our attorneys practice throughout the United States serving national, regional and local companies and professionals in a variety of industries and businesses.

BSCR has successfully handled almost all types of litigation, with the exception of domestic and criminal matters. Whether you are a small company with a small claim or a Fortune 100 company named in a multi-million-dollar complex action, BSCR gives you its undivided attention, drawing on the breadth of our talent and experience to provide you with the finest representation.

BSCR's successful, client-centric approach to litigation is multi-faceted, but it boils down to a few important elements:

Early case assessment:A detailed approach to ascertaining the facts of a case, often before a claim is even filed. This might involve rushing to the scene of an accident for one of our trucking company clients, or going to the site of a fire or chemical spill for a client in our toxic tort practice area. BSCR does not keep clients waiting unnecessarily for information that could have a bearing on the outcome of their cases.

Relationship with experts: Our attorneys and support staff are well educated in the substantive areas in which we practice and in the industries and businesses we serve. This comes from years of experience and the long-term relationships we have established with our clients and experts in various fields. Medical experts on continuously educate us on issues like epidemiology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Experts in crash reconstruction, aeronautics, metallurgy and engine design instruct us on issues related to airplane crashes or trucking accidents. Chemical experts guide our attorneys in our toxic tort, mass tort and environmental practice group. Additionally, we understand the maze of local, state and federal regulations by which so many of the businesses we serve must abide. BSCR attorneys are up to date on new or proposed rules, whether they are related to the Dodd-Frank Act, OSHA, CPSC, FMCSA, and more.

Use of cutting edge technologies: BSCR leverages cutting edge technologies to provide greater efficiency to clients. This includes a staff of IT professionals, litigation support specialists, and litigators with experience using e-discovery software tools for efficient document management and review.

Winning even when settling: BSCR's strategy is to proceed, from day one, as if a case is going to trial - even though many cases settle. Why? Diligent research and persistence in unearthing as many potential relevant facts and related evidence as possible, puts clients in the best possible position to present a case at trial or negotiate on their terms. We are experienced in guiding our clients through all forms of settlement negotiations, but at the end of the day we know how to try cases and have done so with great success over the years. We are trial lawyers, after all.

Milestones: Our firm has achieved many milestones. Notable for a firm our size is our prominence in multidistrict litigation, class actions and appeals. BSCR has served as national and regional counsel in federal multidistrict litigation and state coordinated proceedings; and has been tapped by the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) and the Defense Research Institute (DRI) to prepare amicus briefs in closely watched high-stakes appellate cases.

As a business leader, BSCR is a strong partner in our community. Our attorneys and staff members participate in diversity efforts; provide pro-bono legal services to those in need; and support education initiatives at all levels.

Many of our attorneys are involved with prominent professional legal organizations such as the American Bar Association (ABA), American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), Defense Research Institute (DRI), Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ), Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), and Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC). Many have served in leadership roles for organizations that seek to educate corporate counsels and industry representatives on cutting edge issues particular to certain substantive practice areas. Several have been honored by prominent professional legal organizations.

BSCR believes that great companies deserve great attorneys. Everyone has a different definition of greatness. At BSCR, we are dedicated to meeting yours.

Locations	No. of Attorneys
Belleville, IL	3
Kansas City, MO	32
Springfield, MO	1

Practice Areas	No. of Attorneys
Litigation	44