Stephen R. Woodley, Medical Malpractice Attorney in St Louis, Missouri
focused on Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury
St Louis, MO
Trusted medical malpractice attorney serving St Louis.
- 2
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Stephen R. Woodley?
This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.
Quick answer
Stephen R. Woodley is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury.
- Based in
- St. Louis, MISSOURI
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Medical Malpractice · Personal Injury
- Handles Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury matters from St. Louis, MISSOURI.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (St. Louis) (2021).
About Stephen R. Woodley: Stephen R. Woodley is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Stephen R. Woodley
Stephen concentrates on medical malpractice and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Stephen handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Medical Malpractice
View other Medical Malpractice attorneys
Personal Injury
View other Personal Injury attorneys
Medical Malpractice cases in St Louis, Missouri
Stephen takes medical malpractice 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 Stephen agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in St Louis, Missouri
Stephen takes personal injury 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 Stephen agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Stephen R. Woodley — Attorney of Missouri medical malpractice experience
Stephen R. Woodley is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury.
Stephen R. Woodley is a native of St. Louis who completed his undergraduate degree at Washington University in 1978. In 1982, Mr. Woodley received his DMD degree, also from Washington University, and in 1986 he graduated from the Saint Louis University School of Law.
In 1982, after completing his DMD degree, Mr. Woodley joined the then Gray & Ritter firm as a full-time law clerk, assisting primarily in the development of professional negligence cases. After graduation from law school in 1986, he joined the firm as an associate. He became a principal of the firm in 1992.
Mr. Woodley has handled to conclusion several hundred medical negligence cases throughout the state of Missouri. While professional negligence is a primary focus, Mr. Woodley also concentrates his practice on automobile and trucking accidents.
Mr. Woodley is a member of the American Association for Justice and American Society of Legal Advocates. He has served on the Board of Governors of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, as well as numerous other local and national professional organizations.
He has lectured at law, medical and dental schools and to professional societies, primarily on medical and dental negligence. He has given continuing legal education presentations on various topics. He was on the court-appointed committee that developed form interrogatories for medical negligence cases in the City of St. Louis.
Mr. Woodley is a co-author of Missouri Civil Trial Practice publications on voir dire and wrongful death damages. He has also authored and co-authored articles for the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.
Mr. Woodley was named the Best Lawyers® 2017 St. Louis Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” and is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He is an Associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is the highest given. Mr. Woodley has been annually selected to Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers [among the top 5 percent of lawyers in Missouri and Kansas] since 2005, in the area of Personal Injury Plaintiff-Medical Litigation.
How Stephen handles medical malpractice matters
Stephen R. Woodley is a native of St. Louis who completed his undergraduate degree at Washington University in 1978. In 1982, Mr. Woodley received his DMD degree, also from Washington University, and in 1986 he graduated from the Saint Louis University School of Law. In 1982, after completing his DMD degree, Mr. Woodley joined the then Gray & Ritter firm as a full-time law clerk, assisting…
Who Stephen represents
Stephen reviews new inquiries case-by-case for medical malpractice and personal injury matters in St Louis and the surrounding Missouri area.
Credentials
Stephen R. Woodley's legal education and bar admissions
Saint Louis University
J.D. · 1986
Washington University in St. Louis
— · 1982
Washington University in St. Louis
BA · 1978
Jurisdictions
Stephen's state bar admissions
Illinois, Illinois S
ACTIVE
Missouri, The Missou
ACTIVE
Stephen studied at J.D. in Saint Louis University, — in Washington University in St. Louis, and BA in Washington University in St. Louis.
Law school and academic background
Stephen completed J.D. in Saint Louis University, — in Washington University in St. Louis, and BA in Washington University in St. Louis. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Stephen runs in Missouri is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Stephen R. Woodley
Stephen has received 10 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (St. Louis)
2021
Lawyer of the Year — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (St. Louis)
2017
Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005 - Present
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Missouri Lawyers Weekly Appellate Advocacy Award, 2012
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (St. Louis) (2021). Lawyer of the Year — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (St. Louis) (2017). Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation (2026).
Locations
Stephen R. Woodley's office in St. Louis
Stephen's primary office is at 701 Market Street, Suite 800, St. Louis, Missouri, 63101. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Stephen R. Woodley
Stephen has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
No reviews yet
Only verified clients who have consulted with Stephen R. Woodley can leave a review.
Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Stephen R. Woodley — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new medical malpractice attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Stephen usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Stephen charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Stephen'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; Stephen will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a medical malpractice attorney in St Louis, Missouri
A short list to run through before you commit: How many medical malpractice 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 Stephen
Stephen discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in medical malpractice practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every medical malpractice 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. Stephen confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Stephen's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many medical malpractice practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Stephen R. Woodley
How much does it cost to hire Stephen for a medical malpractice case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Stephen walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Stephen offer a free consultation?
Stephen charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Stephen's office. Some medical malpractice attorneys offer free consults — check Stephen's current terms during booking.
How long do medical malpractice cases in Missouri typically take?
Simple medical malpractice 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. Stephen gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Stephen take my case if I'm outside St Louis?
Stephen 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 — Stephen 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 Stephen?
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. Stephen will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Stephen accepting new medical malpractice clients right now?
Stephen's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Medical Malpractice attorneys serving St Louis, Jefferson City and Kansas City in Missouri
Stephen handles medical malpractice matters throughout Missouri. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified medical malpractice attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated medical malpractice attorneys in Missouri
If Stephen's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these medical malpractice attorneys in St Louis handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.