Stephen L. Kling, Jr. joined the firm as a principal in 1991. After receiving his B.S. in Business Administration in 1976, he worked as an Assistant Bank Examiner for the State of Missouri. Steve received his Master of Finance in 1980, and his Juris Doctorate in 1981. Steve currently practices primarily in the areas of real estate, land use, creditors' rights, bankruptcy, and general corporate law. He regularly represents property owners, developers, and financial institutions in planning & zoning disputes and in real estate acquisition, development, and financing matters.  He also represents creditor groups such as banks, equipment leasing corporations, and other creditors in bankruptcy and workout matters, and other clients in a variety of general corporate matters. He is a frequent speaker and has written several articles relating to his primary practice areas.

Primary Practice Areas:

• Real Estate
• Land Use
• Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy
• General Corporate

Education:

• J.D. - St. Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, 1981
• M.S. (Finance) - St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 1980
• B.S. (Business Administration) - University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 1976

Bar Admissions:

• Missouri, 1982
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Missouri
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Illinois
• 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Professional Associations & Memberships:

• The Missouri Bar
• American Bar Association
• American Planning Association

Civic Organizations:

• DeSmet Jesuit High School, Chairman of the Board of Trustees-2002-2004
• Jesuits of the Missouri Province, Financial Advisory Committee, Member - 2007-2008
• Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce - Board Member and Vice President of Economic Development - 2007, President Elect - 2008

Achievements & Awards:

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers In America for the specialty of land use and zoning law.
• "Missouri's New Anti-SLAPP Law", May/June 2005, Journal of the Missouri Bar
• Unpublished article: "Missouri Transportation Development District Law Summary", July 2003, presented to the Creve Coeur -Olivette Chamber of Commerce
• Article: "Planning and Zoning Overview", June 2003, presented at the Missouri Municipal League Newly Elected Officials Conference and published on their website
• Article: "The Comprehensive Plan and Missouri Land Use Planning Law", September 2002. Unpublished. Presented at the annual State Conferences of the Missouri Municipal League and the American Planning Association, Missouri Chapter
• Article: "Municipal Land Planning Law in Missouri - Further Observations and Analysis", January/February 2002, Journal of the Missouri Bar
• Article: "Municipal Land Planning Law in Missouri", November/December 2000, Journal of the Missouri Bar
• "Excellence in Planning Award" - American Planning Association, Missouri Chapter - 2001
• "Dwight F. Davis Planning Award - Outstanding Commitment to Urban Planning Excellence" - American Planning Association, Missouri Chapter, St. Louis Section - 2001