About Joan Lockwood
Joan is a dynamic, committed advocate with nearly thirty years of experience in personal injury, automobile and trucking accidents, product liability, medical negligence, wrongful death, and complex business and commercial litigation cases. She has secured approximately $20 million in verdicts and over $60 million in settlements on behalf of clients who suffered personal as well as business injuries.
Joan frequently lectures on topics such as civil trial practice, jury instructions, tort law, discovery, medical negligence issues, professionalism, and premises liability. She has been consistently recognized for her talent and service to the legal community, receiving numerous prestigious awards including the Thomas G. Strong Trial Attorney Award, annually given to the “Missouri attorney who best exemplifies the qualities of professionalism, ethics, character and courtroom success.”
Joan has served on the Missouri Supreme Court Committee on Civil Jury Instructions (MAI) since 2003 and is the current Chair of the Committee. She has been recognized as Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year for medical negligence and product liability litigation and listed in Best Lawyers in America for medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability litigation. Joan has also been cited as a Top 50 female attorney and a Top 100 attorney in Missouri and Kansas.
Notable Results
Representative Matters
Professional Honors
Thomas G. Strong Trial Attorney Award, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (2021)
Chambers and Partners Band 1 rating (highest), Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs (2021 - present)
Best Lawyers of America:
• St. Louis Product Liability Litigation, Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year (2016, 2018, 2021)
• “Women in the Law” Business Edition
• Recognized in area of Product Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs (2013-present)
• Recognized in area of Medical Malpractice Law-Plaintiffs (2012-present)
• Recognized in area of Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs (2011-present)
Missouri Lawyers Weekly:
• Litigation Practitioner Award, Women’s Justice Awards (2018)
• Appellate Advocacy Award (2011, 2012)
• “Up and Coming Lawyer” (2003)
Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory AV Peer Review Rating (highest)
Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2006-present)
Top 50 Attorneys in St. Louis and Top 100 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
Women's Justice Awards “Rising Star Award” (2008)
John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (2003)
St. Louis University School of Law, Editor “Health Law Edition”
St. Louis University School of Law, Order of the Woolsack
Professional Associations
Professional
Civil Jury Instructions (MAI) Committee
Chair (2020-present)
Reporter (2009-2020)
Member (2003-present)
Fellow, American College of Trial Attorneys
Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Lawyers Committee, National Center for State Courts (2022–present)
American Board of Trial Advocates, Treasurer (2020–present)
Missouri Bar Covid-19 Task Force, Civil Practice Sub-Committee Chair
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Fellow, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Foundation
Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers (MATA)
Board of Governors
Missouri Trial Attorney Co-Editor
Appellate Case Note author quarterly
Missouri Bar
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
John C. Shepherd Professionalism Committee
Richard B. Teitelman Memorial St. Louis Pro Bono Challenge Committee
St. Louis County Bar Association
Lawyers Association of St. Louis
Theodore McMillian American Inn of Court
Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis
Illinois Bar
Illinois State Bar Association
American Association for Justice
News & Publications
News
Publications
GRG Farm Litigation
Blog Posts
Bar Admissions & Education
Education
Saint Louis University
Juris Doctor, 1993 cum laude
Boston College
BS Finance and Human Resource Management, 1990 cum laude
Admissions
- Illinois
- Missouri
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri
Notable Rulings
- Brancati v. BiState Development Agency, 571 S.W.3d 625 (Mo. App. E.D. 2019)
Holding that statute governing modified collateral source rule (Section 490.715) does not limit evidence of medical bills to actual costs of treatment paid by plaintiff. Holding that sovereign immunity damage in Section 537.610.2 applied only to BiState, not employee driver. Holding that proposed comparative fault instruction was properly refused as, among other things, failing to comply with MAI.
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- Spradling v. SSM Health Care, St. Louis, 313 S.W.3d 683 (Mo. banc. 2010)
Reversed dismissal, holding that under Section 538.225.21, affidavit from a provider in “substantially the same specialty” does not require same board certification as defendant.
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- Kivland v. Columbia Orthopedic Group, 331 S.W.3d 299 (Mo. banc. 2011)
Reverse summary judgment; rejecting “irresistible impulse test” and holding that where death is by suicide, causation standard is the same as in any wrongful death case, i.e., whether death was “a direct result” of defendant’s negligence.
Podcasts
• EP309 - Appellate Law Part One with Joan Lockwood and Rich Finneran
The Jury Is Out: A Podcast for Trial Attorneys
Don’t wait for the request for appeal to hit your desk to start thinking about appealable issues. Many top firms pay close attention to appeal potential every minute of litigation. Appellate law experts Joan Lockwood and Rich Finneran discuss appellate brief basics, which issues have a greater chance of reversal, and how to prioritize key points. Tune in for tried-and-true tips which could improve your chances of winning your next appeal.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
• EP310 - Appellate Law Part Two with Joan Lockwood and Rich Finneran
The Jury is Out: A Podcast for Trial Attorneys
Intimidated by oral arguments? Appellate law experts Joan Lockwood and Rich Finneran suggest reframing your mindset to create a teaching conversation with the judges rather than simply extending your argument with opposing counsel. Today’s episode also includes tips for preparing more effective oral arguments, how to handle questions from the bench, and a few good reasons to show up to court early no matter where you are on the docket.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Heels in the Courtroom podcast EP 715-Passion or Paycheck?
Joan Lockwood shares her advice when you come to a crossroads in your career path.
Listen to Heels in the Courtroom podcast EP 715-Passion or Paycheck?
