James Ribaudo
Missouri
Gausnell, O'Keefe & Thomas, LLC
1717 Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104
United States
Tel: (314) 257-9807
Email:
jribaudo@gotlawstl.com
Web:
www.gotlawstl.com
Appellate work is a significant part of Jim’s practice. He has handled numerous appeals involving issues such as real property disputes, motor vehicle accidents, vicarious liability, and insurance coverage. His appellate work is supported by a strong background in legal research and writing, and he closely follows developments in Missouri statutes and case law affecting insurers and their policyholders.
Jim also advises insurance companies on a wide range of first-party and third-party claims, including uninsured and underinsured motorist matters. His broader litigation work encompasses coverage disputes, liability claims, and related issues arising throughout the life of a case.
In addition to handling his own matters, Jim regularly assists other litigators with complex written advocacy. He drafts dispositive motions, jury instructions, post-trial motions, and other substantive filings, drawing on his appellate experience to help identify and preserve important legal issues.
Jim’s work has received recognition from Best Lawyers, including selection to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in 2024 and 2025 and recognition by Best Lawyers in 2026 and 2027. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star.
Jim is a member of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers and the International Association of Defense Counsel. He attended Rockhurst University and Saint Louis University School of Law.
Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas, LLC represents clients in civil appeals before state and federal appellate courts, drawing on substantial experience at both the trial and appellate levels. The firm handles appeals arising from business disputes, insurance coverage and bad faith matters, product liability, construction, catastrophic injury, premises liability, and toxic tort claims.
The appellate team advises on all stages of the process, including preservation of the record, post-trial motions, pre-trial motions, writs, briefing, and appellate strategy. Its lawyers are also frequently engaged by trial counsel and outside counsel to assist with matters that may require appellate review, bringing a focused perspective to identifying trial court errors and developing persuasive legal arguments.
Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas has appeared before the Missouri and Illinois appellate courts and the Supreme Courts of both states. The team combines practical trial experience with appellate advocacy, providing clients with coordinated representation from post-trial proceedings through final appellate review.
The firm’s practice includes business litigation, appellate law, arbitration and mediation, construction, insurance coverage and general liability, catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, professional liability, toxic torts, and transportation liability. Its attorneys also handle matters involving architecture, engineering, construction defects, legal malpractice, licensing board actions, and other complex civil claims.
Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas draws on decades of courtroom experience, with its founders collectively having tried nearly 250 jury trials to verdict. The firm emphasizes efficient case management, early evaluation, and the use of technology to support litigation strategy, while maintaining a strong focus on direct communication and long-term client relationships.
“Jim Ribaudo’s appellate practice is grounded in a strong command of insurance coverage and liability law. That combination is particularly valuable in appeals where the outcome turns on careful statutory analysis, preservation of issues, and precise treatment of the underlying record”