An experienced litigator, Aaron has represented clients facing many varied matters in both state and federal courts. Aaron has tried both bench and jury trials and has obtained successful trial verdicts for his clients. He has prepared and successfully argued a number of dispositive motions that resulted in client victories. He has also successfully represented clients in arbitration and has settled numerous matters to his clients’ satisfaction at mediation.
Aaron has prepared appellate briefs and argued issues of first impression in the State of Missouri. Whether arguing before a judge or jury, Aaron is a critical contributor to Sandberg Phoenix’s ongoing success and reputation as the go-to law firm for business and business litigation matters.
Having developed a deep knowledge of several industries, Aaron represents insurers in insurance coverage and bad faith cases. Aaron provides clients facing issues in these areas not only top-shelf representation but also in-depth analysis relating to complicated factual scenarios and complex legal issues. His effective, comprehensive analysis is performed cost-consciously in order to provide clients with the most superior legal services at a reasonable rate. Aaron also contributes to the Bad Faith Blog, the premiere insurance blog on the Internet.
Aaron joined the firm in 2003 and practices business litigation and product liability. He currently serves as a member of the Sandberg Phoenix Executive Committee and Compensation Committee, and is team leader of the Insurance Group. He has previously served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee, and as the Business Litigation Practice Group Leader.
Outside of the office, Aaron enjoys golfing, attending St. Louis sporting events and concerts and spending time with his wife and young children. He is an avid moviegoer and likes keeping up with several television series.
Obtained summary judgment in Missouri state court on issue of whether single vehicle accident which resulted in the drowning of two people triggered multiple occurrences under a Commercial General Liability policy and an additional $1 million in coverage. The court found in our client’s favor and ruled there was only a single occurrence under the policy and a single $1 million limit of coverage.
Successfully represented insurer in coverage and equitable contribution lawsuit which resulted in settlement where insured paid insurer.
Aaron obtained summary judgment for an insurance carrier in Missouri State Court in a coverage dispute involving a worker’s compensation policy.
Aaron obtained summary judgment on behalf of an insurer in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. The case involved numerous insureds who were involved in a multi-vehicle accident which left one of the claimants paralyzed. After satisfying the limits on policies, summary judgment was granted due to exhaustion.
In a case of first impression before the Missouri Supreme Court, Aaron obtained a favorable ruling for a client which exempted them from state sales taxes under a federal law prohibiting the imposition of taxes on air commerce or air transportation. The case received both national and local media attention.
After a four-day jury trial in U.S. District Court-Eastern District of Missouri, Aaron obtained a six-figure jury verdict for his client on multiple breach of contract counts relating to the rentals of heavy drilling equipment.
After a three-day bench trial, Aaron obtained a complete defense verdict for his clients, who were alleged to have breached their fiduciary duties as trustees of a homeowners’ association at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Aaron obtained summary judgment in the City of St. Louis for an insurer in a breach of contract and equitable garnishment suit relating to alleged coverage for a third-party claim stemming from a personal injury to a co-employee which resulted in a $750,000 judgment against the alleged insured. The summary judgment was appealed by the opposing party. Aaron handled all aspects of the appeal, including oral argument. The summary judgment was affirmed by the Missouri Court of Appeals.
Aaron obtained summary judgment for an insurer in a declaratory judgment action filed in U.S. District Court-Western District of Missouri regarding whether the insurer properly denied coverage under a claims made and reported employment practices liability policy when the insured failed to provide timely notice of an EEOC charge, which later resulted in a lawsuit.
Aaron assisted in a week-long arbitration hearing under the International Rules of Arbitration, which resulted in a multi-million dollar arbitration award for our client.
American Bar Association
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), sits on the CLM – Extra-Contractual Committee
Defense Research Institute
Diversity Law Institute, Member
Illinois State Bar Association
Lawyer’s Association of St. Louis
Mackrell International, one of the world’s premier networks of independent legal firms.
Missouri Bar Association
Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
Trial Law Institute, Member
Serves as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, which is made up of lawyers, judges, law faculty and legal scholars who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the profession and their communities. Only one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in a given jurisdiction are invited to become a member.
J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law, cum laude
• Editor, Saint Louis University Law Journal
B.A., Illinois State University, magna cum laude
Missouri
United States District Court for the District of Kansas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Aaron gives back to the community by being involved in the following organizations:
Member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of the American Legion
Member of the South St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce
Parishioner of Assumption Catholic Church of Mattese
Mentor for the SLU LAW Pre-law Undergraduate Scholars Program
“The Handling of Third Party Claims in Missouri,” A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast
"Negotiation Strategies for Claims Professionals," Claims & Litigation Management
"Insurer, Adjuster, Agent and Broker Liability: A-Z," National Business Institute
"Practical Professionalism," Claims & Litigation Management Alliance Seminar
"Civil Court Procedure and Strategy Boot Camp," National Business Institute
"Bad Faith: How to Recognize it in Your Case," National Business Institute
Quoted "2nd Circ. Insurer Win Stirs Fears Over Mixed Coverage Claims," Law360 (October 25, 2023)
Quoted, "Mich. TCPA Ruling Exposes Carrier Policies, Outreach Practice," Law360 (June 6, 2023)
Co-author, “Missouri winds of change? New laws hold promise for insurance companies,” Westlaw Practitioners Insight Insurance | Journal Insurance (Thomson Reuters) (March 16, 2018)
Co-author, “Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability in Missouri – It’s Not Just for Bodily Injury Claims Anymore,” CLM Magazine (November 2017)
Quoted, “Lakers’ Loss Gives Insurers Edge in TCPA Coverage Fights,” Law360 (August 24, 2017)
Quoted, “Insurance Cases to Watch in 2017,” Law360 (January 2, 2017)
Regional Author and Editor of the Defense Research Institute Bad Faith Compendium
Partnered with The Knowledge Group, “Bad Faith Claims and Its Impact on Insurance Companies”