Aaron E. Schwartz

A seasoned litigator, Aaron tirelessly works for each of his clients on a wide range of matters ranging from simple wage disputes to complex class actions involving hundreds of millions of dollars. He represents individuals and companies on matters including employment litigation and discrimination, commercial disputes, insurance coverage, sexual abuse, and complex mass torts. Aaron regularly practices in state and United States District Courts trial courts across the country.

Aaron focuses on understanding his clients’ unique concerns and opportunities. He helps identify risks and rights to resolve potential disputes without litigation whenever possible. When litigation is necessary, Aaron fashions pragmatic and aggressive strategies to ensure his clients’ interests are advanced. No matter the type of case or client, he draws on his experience to chart common sense, efficient, and effective solutions for those he represents.

Education

Juris Doctor, University of Missouri School of Law, 2006

B.A., University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2002

Representative Matters

• Won unanimous jury verdict in Kansas City, Missouri lawsuit alleging discriminatory compensation and retaliation;
• Won unanimous jury verdict for terminated NCAA basketball coach wrongfully deprived of his pension benefits;
• Represented tenured faculty members at major University in administrative due process proceedings;
• Successfully represented both employers and employees in claims involving race, sex, disability, and national origin discrimination, sexual harassment, the FLSA, non-competition agreements, and the False Claims Act;
• Obtained summary judgment for clients in an employment action brought against the Ray County Board of Services and three of its employees and successfully defended the judgment on appeal. Guido v. Ray County Bd. of Services;
• Obtained several settlements very favorable to employer-clients in claims involving workers compensation retaliation;
• Obtained a one-million-dollar settlement against a for-profit college in a claim brought under the False Claims Act;
• Litigated high profile claims of fiduciary breach under ERISA involving multi-billion-dollar employee benefit plans;
• Obtained a $54,000,000 judgment for sexual abuse and successfully represented client in the related insurance bad faith litigation;
• Prevailed in summary judgment proceedings after personally deposing ten adverse fact witnesses and three adverse retained experts in claim involving multi-billion-dollar 401(k) plan. Litigation ultimately settled in clients’ favor for $23.65 million. Bell et al. v. ATH Holding Company, LLC et al.

Publications

“The Broad Reach of Control” (A Litigant’s Duty to Extract Discovery from Third Parties).” Journal of the Missouri Bar. Vol. 73. (2017)

“Taxing Costs (Theory and Practice).” Journal of the Missouri Bar. Vol. 68. (2012)

“Comment, Dusting off the Blaine Amendment: Two Challenges to Missouri’s Anti-Establishment Tradition.” Missouri Law Review. Vol. 73. (2008)

“Note, Honk to Remove this Demonstration: The Eighth Circuit Adopts a Heckler’s Veto.” Missouri Law Review. Vol. 70. (2005)

Noteworthy

Prior to joining Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson, Aaron served as a St. Louis County Election Judge. When not representing his clients or spending time with his family, you can often find him fishing Washington’s trout streams.