Nicholas Meador
Partner
Attorney Nicholas K. Meador was born and raised in St. Louis, where he laid the groundwork for his legal career. An alumnus of Parkway South High School in Manchester, Missouri, he earned his undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University, graduating cum laude. Nicholas completed his legal education at Saint Louis University School of Law in 2015. During law school, he gained invaluable experience by clerking for prestigious private law firms in St. Louis, where he learned the litigation strategies of some of the city’s most successful attorneys.
Nicholas specializes in landlord representation, complex auto collisions, and intricate civil litigation. His comprehensive skill set includes conducting written discovery, drafting motions to dismiss, taking depositions, and preparing expert witnesses. He is well-versed in case strategy, pre-trial briefing, motions in limine, summary judgment motions, and other essential trial preparations.
As a dedicated member of the Missouri Bar Association and the St. Louis County Bar Association, Nicholas is licensed to practice in both Missouri and Federal Courts. His commitment to his clients and his thorough approach to litigation make him a respected advocate in the legal community.
Mark Lee Jr.
Attorney
Mark became enthusiastic about criminal law and trial court at a young age when learning about his late grandfather, a prominent St. Louis criminal defense attorney. As a result, he acquired a passion for helping clients through difficult situations and unfortunate circumstances. Mark’s major practice areas include criminal defense, trial, DWI’s, traffic violations, license reinstatement, TRO’s, dispute resolution & more.
Mark earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Throughout law school, Mark gained extensive experience from his internship as an assistant municipal prosecutor working closely with police investigation and trying cases under Missouri Rule 13 Certification. He also worked in criminal defense, personal injury, and local government during his internship.
After law school, Mark worked as a trial lawyer for the Missouri Department of Revenue General Counsel’s Office. There, he prosecuted numerous DWI and license restriction cases in St. Louis County and other various counties throughout Missouri. This provided him a distinct insight and expertise into procedure, probable cause, arrests, etc. Mark then moved into the private sector where he could work in all areas of law and trial court. This also allowed him to counsel more and better help those in need.
As a St. Louis native, Mark went to CBC High School and graduated from Mizzou where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance and Banking with an emphasis in Economics. Outside of the office, Mark enjoys golfing, running, going out with friends, spending time by the pool with family, and walking his dog Frankie to a local café or park.
Publications: Co-Authored Chapter 14 “Police Departments” of the 2016 Fourth Edition Missouri Local Government Law Deskbook.
Licensed in: Missouri
Ambry Emanuel
Attorney
Ambry Nichole Emanuel earned her Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law and is a practicing member of the Missouri State Bar. Ambry also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Maryville University in St. Louis, where she graduated cum laude. Ambry has been recognized as a Super Lawyer multiple times, a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
While attending law school, Ambry completed three internships at the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and two internships working in family law. Upon graduation from law school, Ambry worked as an assistant prosecutor, attaining verdicts for the State of Missouri in fifteen out of sixteen trials, the majority of which were domestic violence cases. Ambry then went on to practice family law for five years, and currently practices personal injury and civil litigation law.
Ambry previously worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for a child in an abuse and neglect case and has served as a guest speaker at the University of Missouri-St. Louis for an undergraduate law course.
Kelly Krauch
Senior Litigation Paralegal
Kelly attended Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut where she obtained her Associates Degree in Legal Studies and Bachelors Degree in Business Management. She is also an active member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Paralegal Division.
Kelly began her career in Connecticut in 2002, working in Personal Injury and Family Law. In 2008, Kelly moved to Phoenix, AZ where she worked exclusively in Personal Injury Litigation and Medical Malpractice before moving to Missouri in 2010.
Kelly brings over 26 years of experience and expertise to the Meador Law Firm, LLC, where she specializes in civil litigation and investigation of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims.
In her free time Kelly enjoys coaching youth soccer, being an active member of the School Board and spending time with her family.
Damaris Lighten
Litigation Paralegal
Damaris earned her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies in 2003 at Lincoln School of Commerce in Lincoln, Nebraska. Damaris went on to earn her certifications in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology.
With 20 years of experience as a personal injury litigation paralegal and 5 years of experience as lead paralegal and legal services coordinator for O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., Damaris boasts a broad range of skills. She spent 8 years of her career as a litigation paralegal working in defense, which has been an invaluable tool when communicating with insurance companies and advocating for her clients.
Outside of work, Damaris enjoys cooking, playing cards, and spending time with her husband, children, and friends. She has a unique way of blending strength and fun into her personality and always has her co-workers laughing.
Lacy Perkins
Pre-Litigation Paralegal
Lacy is a seasoned paralegal with a remarkable blend of expertise and passion. With a decade of specialized experience in personal injury law and nearly two decades devoted to client relations, she stands as a beacon of dedication and excellence in her field.
Driven by a genuine desire to assist and advocate for others, Lacy’s commitment to aiding her clients is unwavering. Her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional communication abilities ensure that her clients are well-informed and supported at every stage of their legal journey.
Beyond the confines of her professional life, Lacy thrives in the great outdoors, embarking on hiking expeditions, paddleboarding, camping, biking, and exploring the lesser-known beauties of nature. She is a lover of all animals and has a senior Min Pin named Bella and a Siamese cat named Tinker, along with a variety of backyard birds that her partner wishes she would stop feeding.
Erica Ruest
Senior Paralegal
Erica has a strong connection to the St. Louis area, having been born and raised here. She is committed to staying with the Meador Law Firm while pursuing her law degree and is dedication to both her education and her current role within the firm.
She graduated from Webster University with her pre-law bachelor's degree, Erica is actively a law student at St.Louis University School of Law working toward her goal of becoming an attorney. She plans to continue with the Meador Law Firm during law school and transition to an attorney.
Her role since 2021, where she handles client intake and communications while assisting in trial preparation, showcases her involvement in various aspects of legal work. Specializing in tenant/landlord issues and personal injury claims gives her specific expertise in these areas, which can be valuable for both her current role and future legal practice.
Erica also runs the Paralegal office overseeing case preparation, client care, and collections. This role provides her with comprehensive experience in managing legal processes and dealing with clients, further preparing her for a successful transition to an attorney role.
Samantha Pool
Legal Coordinator
Sam is a dedicated legal coordinator with a background in navigating legal matters, honed through years of experience at Stifel. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills, Sam plays a crucial role in supporting the legal team. Her approachable demeanor and clear communication style make her a trusted advisor for clients seeking assistance.
Gabriel Ayers
Paralegal
Gabe is a paralegal at the firm, and he graduated from Webster University in St. Louis. His academic journey provided him with a solid foundation in legal principles, while his practical experience has equipped him with the skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic legal environment. His attention to detail and analytical mindset make him a valuable asset to any legal team, allowing him to effectively support attorneys in preparing for trials and managing complex cases.