Joseph F. Callahan

Principal
Bank of America Plaza
800 Market Street
Suite 1100
St. Louis, MO 63101-2501
(314) 206-3037
(314) 206-3237

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Joe Callahan has more than 20 years of experience handling all aspects of pre-trial litigation and has substantial trial experience in both Missouri and Illinois, including two Top Ten defense verdicts listed in Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Before joining Brown & James, Mr. Callahan was a partner in a St. Louis defense firm and was in-house trial counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.

For more than two decades, Mr. Callahan has represented physicians and hospitals in professional liability claims, manufacturers and insurers in product liability litigation, including medical device, pharmaceutical, trucking and toxic tort litigation. He was one of three attorneys who coordinated the defense of physicians and pharmaceutical companies in multi-district litigation that involved claims of professional negligence and product liability.

Mr. Callahan has defended claims against school districts and represented employers in employment discrimination claims, including claims under Title VII, the ADA, ADEA and before the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. He has defended many premises liability claims and also has extensive experience representing clients in commercial litigation, including contract disputes, construction litigation and insurance coverage litigation. Mr. Callahan is a frequent speaker for continuing legal education programs and regularly conducts mock trials and mock depositions for clients.

Recent Favorable Jury Verdicts
  • Obtained a defense verdict in an alleged medical negligence case involving a spine surgery in which the plaintiff’s attorney asked the jury to award $1.5 million in damages.  James Raleigh v. Donald deGrange, M.D. (2023)
  • Obtained a defense verdict in a premises liability case in the City of St. Louis in which the last pre-trial settlement demand was in the amount of $1.5 million. Crane v. Saracino (2016)
  • Obtained a defense verdict in a product liability case in which the plaintiff claimed a traumatic brain injury and his attorneys asked the jury to award $5 million. Viehland v. BMC Leasing, et. al (2015)
Published Appellate Decisions

Wilson v. Dura-Seal and Stripe (2017), upholding summary judgment for Mr. Callahan’s client

More About Joseph

Education

  • Saint Louis University (J.D., 1996)
  • Saint Louis University (B.A., English, magna cum laude, 1992)

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Recent Achievements

  • Obtained a defense verdict in an alleged medical negligence case involving a spine surgery in which the plaintiff’s attorney asked the jury to award 1.5 million dollars in damages. James Raleigh v. Donald deGrange, M.D. (2023)
  • Awarded Top Ten Defense Verdict in State of Missouri, Missouri Lawyers Weekly (2015) (product liability lawsuit)
  • Awarded Top Ten Defense Verdict in State of Missouri, Missouri Lawyers Weekly (2004) (medical malpractice lawsuit)

Professional Affiliations

  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Speaking

  • Regular presentations and mock trials for The Washington University School of Medicine
  • Presenter, "Prep Steps: New Strategies for Effective Depo Prep," Brown & James Insurance Law & Medical Malpractice Defense Symposium, January 2023
  • Presenter, "Dealing with 'The Reptile': How to Defuse and Defend against Reptilian Tactics,'" Brown & James General Defense & Insurance Law Symposium (January 2019)
  • Presenter, "Evidence and Expert Testimony," National Business Institute (January 2010)
  • Presenter, "Medical Malpractice Suits," National Business Institute (May 2009)
  • Presenter, "Advanced Expert Witness Deposition Tactics," National Business Institute (November 2008)
  • Presenter, "Defense Strategies in Personal Injury Cases," National Business Institute (October 2008)
  • Presenter, "Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy," National Business Institute (June 2008)
  • Presenter, "Evidence and Expert Testimony: Supporting Your Case," National Business Institute (January 2008)
  • Presenter, "Tips for Handling the Personal Injury Case," National Business Institute (December 2007)
  • Presenter, "Obtaining the Best Settlement for Personal Injury Clients," National Business Institute (September 2007)
  • Presenter, "Discovery Skills for Legal Staff in Missouri," National Business Institute (April 2007)
  • Presenter, "The Art of Settlement," National Business Institute (March 2007)
  • Presenter, "How to Get Evidence and Expert Testimony Admitted into Court," National Business Institute (January 2007)
  • Presenter, "Advanced Expert Witness Deposition Tactics," National Business Institute (October 2006)
  • Presenter, "Interpreting Medical Information: Finding the Clues for Your Case," National Business Institute (August 2006)
  • Presenter, "Getting your Evidence and Expert Testimony Admitted into Court in Missouri," National Business Institute (January 2006)
  • Presenter, "Advanced Personal Injury Practice in Missouri," National Business Institute (March 2005)
  • Presenter, "Advanced Personal Injury Procedures in Missouri for the Experienced Litigation Paralegal," National Business Institute (March 2004)