Several Brown & James attorneys were honored for their top defense verdicts as part of the 2026 Missouri Lawyers Awards at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Principal Peter Spataro had two of the Top 8 Defense Verdicts of 2025. For Richard Powell v. Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Principal Bryce Pfalzgraf was second chair. For Benjamin Metz v. The Washington University, Principal Matthew Lakamp was second chair.
Principal Justin Hardin also received two top 16 defense verdicts for Heather Knight v. Hill Vision Services and Albert Beal v. Precision Eye Care, Ltd.
Principal Kristie Crawford received a top 16 defense verdict for Green Hills Women’s Shelter, Inc. v. Weldon Builders and Construction, LLC.
In the Powell case, the plaintiff asked the jury for $13 million in closing. Spataro and Pfalzgraf secured a defense verdict in this medical-negligence case involving the death of a mother and birth-related injuries of her child.
In the Metz case, Spataro and Lakamp secured a defense verdict in a case involving a plaintiff who underwent complex craniofacial surgery to correct congenital birth deformities. Plaintiff sought around $4 million including a life care plan and lost wages.
In Knight, Hardin secured a unanimous defense verdict in a case involving an alleged negligent cataract surgery. Plaintiff requested $800,000 in closing.
In Beal, Hardin received a defense verdict in a case involving allegations of permanent eye damage after a retrobulbar block on an ophthalmology patient. Plaintiff asked for $200,000 in closing.
In Green Hills, Crawford secured a defense verdict in a case involving claims of defects in the construction of a women’s shelter. Plaintiff claimed building repair costs in excess of $684,480 and diminution in value of the building in the amount of $613,000.
View the list of Top Defense Verdicts here.