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Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr., Business Attorney in St Louis, Missouri

focused on Business, Litigation, and White Collar

Dowd Bennett LLP

St Louis, MO

Trusted business attorney serving St Louis.

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Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr. is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Business, Litigation, and White Collar. Currently practicing at Dowd Bennett LLP.

Based in
St. Louis, MISSOURI
Experience
attorney
Known for
Business · Litigation · White Collar
  • Handles Business, Litigation, and White Collar matters from St. Louis, MISSOURI.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2024).

About Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr.: Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr. is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Business, Litigation, and White Collar. Currently practicing at Dowd Bennett LLP.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Edward takes on

Edward concentrates on business, litigation, white collar, and criminal defense. Each area below outlines the kind of case Edward handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Business cases in St Louis, Missouri

Edward takes business matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Edward agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in St Louis, Missouri

Edward takes litigation matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Edward agrees to represent you.

White Collar cases in St Louis, Missouri

Edward takes white collar matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Edward agrees to represent you.

Criminal Defense cases in St Louis, Missouri

Edward takes criminal defense matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Edward agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr. — business lawyer in St Louis

Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr. is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Business, Litigation, and White Collar. Currently practicing at Dowd Bennett LLP.

Edward L. Dowd Jr. is a litigator who defends corporations, professional service firms and individuals in high-stakes, complex civil, and white collar criminal cases and investigations. He represents clients with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the SEC, DOJ, EPA,, IRS, Health and Human Services and other federal and state agencies. In addition, Ed works with companies to strengthen corporate compliance in order to avoid the initial missteps that result in investigations and trials.

Ed’s legal career includes years as a federal prosecutor and private practice litigator. He served as special counsel in the investigation of events surrounding the Branch Davidians in Waco. Ed knows the intricacies of investigations and litigation from the perspectives of the prosecutor, investigator and the person or company being pursued.

In 2017, Ed was named Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF), an honorary organization of lawyers, judges, and legal scholars whose careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession.

Repeatedly recognized by industry publications for his work in white collar criminal defense, commercial litigation and corporate compliance, Ed was named Best Lawyers® 2016 Corporate Compliance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis in 2016 and 2018. He is again included on the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers list. Immediately prior to founding Dowd Bennett, Ed was a partner at Bryan Cave LLP, where he represented clients in corporate compliance and defense, healthcare, environmental and commercial litigation.

As the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Ed set policy and supervised the professional and support staff in handling thousands of civil and criminal cases for the U.S. government.

Ed moderated a three-judge panel discussion, “Protecting the Record for Appeals,” at the 2015 Bench & Bar Conference of The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. He is a past president of the National Association of Former United States Attorneys.

Representative Matters

  • 1999-2000, assisted former Senator John C. Danforth as the Deputy Special Counsel in a fourteen month investigation of the government relating to the Waco tragedy.

Working with Edward on a business matter

Edward L. Dowd Jr. is a litigator who defends corporations, professional service firms and individuals in high-stakes, complex civil, and white collar criminal cases and investigations. He represents clients with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the SEC, DOJ, EPA,, IRS, Health and Human Services and other federal and state agencies. In addition, Ed works with companies to strengthen corporate…

Who Edward represents

Edward reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, litigation, and white collar matters in St Louis and the surrounding Missouri area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • St. Mary’s University School of Law

    J.D. · 1977

  • Saint Louis University

    B.A. · 1971

Edward studied at J.D. in St. Mary’s University School of Law and B.A. in Saint Louis University.

Law school and academic background

Edward completed J.D. in St. Mary’s University School of Law and B.A. in Saint Louis University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Edward runs in Missouri is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Edward has received 9 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis)

    2024

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis)

    2022

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis)

    2020

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis)

    2018

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis)

    2016

  • Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2024). Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2022). Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2020). Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2018). Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2016). Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026).

Locations

Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr.'s office in St. Louis

Edward's primary office is at 7676 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 1900, St. Louis, Missouri, 63105. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Dowd Bennett LLP

7676 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 1900

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr.

Edward has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr. — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Edward usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Edward charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Edward's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Edward will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a business attorney in St Louis, Missouri

A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Edward

Edward discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Edward confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Edward's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Edward L. "Ed" Dowd, Jr.

  • How much does it cost to hire Edward for a business case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Edward walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Edward offer a free consultation?

    Edward charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Edward's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Edward's current terms during booking.

  • How long do business cases in Missouri typically take?

    Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Edward gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Edward take my case if I'm outside St Louis?

    Edward is licensed in Missouri. Matters governed by Missouri law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Edward will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Edward?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Edward will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Edward accepting new business clients right now?

    Edward's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Business attorneys serving St Louis, Jefferson City and Kansas City in Missouri

Edward handles business matters throughout Missouri. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.

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