Margaret Gentzen

I am a Saint Louis University School of Law graduate. Since joining Fox Smith in 2012, I have acquired knowledge in the pre-trial process by assisting in the defense of local hospitals, pharmaceutical and environmental companies, as well as non-profit organizations. Prior to Law School, I served as the Government Affairs Director for a local non-profit trade association, where I lobbied on behalf of member interests. While in law school I worked for the St. Louis County and Eastern District of Missouri Prosecutor’s offices, a local defense firm, and as a legal clerk for a U. S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Missouri. Some of my accomplishments include: Managing party and third-party discovery projects for Fortune 500 companies; Developing and implementing discovery, settlement, and trial strategies and managing staff associated with implementation of strategies on behalf of equity partners. Represents clients in mediations and settlement negotiations before private practice mediators and various governmental agencies, including the Missouri Commission on Human rights, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Successfully defended clients in a variety of federal and state courts, including: Granting of summary judgment for major pharmaceutical company; Compelling arbitration in favor of nationwide mortgage company and affirming on appeal; Summary judgment on medical lien issue; Defense verdict for employer in defamation suit; Denial of Petition for Writ of Mandamus in employment-discrimination related suit; Granting of summary judgment for employer in age and disability discrimination suit Counsels management-side clients regarding risk management issues arising in the employee-employer relationship. Reviews and drafts various workplace policies and handbooks for employee clients. I am a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, in addition to other legal organizations. I was named a Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Employment Litigation in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.