Atty. William S. "Bill" Thomas

Atty. William S. "Bill" Thomas

William S. Thomas is one of the firm’s many experienced trial lawyers.

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Profile Summary

About William S. "Bill" Thomas at a glance

William S. "Bill" Thomas is a construction attorney based in St. Louis, Missouri, practicing at Gausnell, O'Keefe & Thomas LLC. Admitted to practice in Missouri, Missouri and Illinois, Illinois. Educated at Saint Louis University (JD, 1994) and University of Notre Dame (—). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in St. Louis, MO and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • William S. Thomas is one of the firm’s many experienced trial lawyers
  • His practice is diverse, with an emphasis in complex litigation
  • He has tried cases in a number of difficult venues, from the City of St. Louis, Missouri, to Madison and St. Clair Counties, in Illinois, and Federal Court in East St. Louis and St. Louis
  • He was lead trial counsel in one of the longest civil jury trials in St. Louis County history, which lasted 100 trial days
  • In addition to his trial practice, Bill is actively involved in a number of professional organizations
  • He is a former president of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, the local trial bar
  • He is active in the Defense Research Institute, (DRI), serving on its Products Liability Committee, and that committee’s Building Products and Power Tool Specialized Litigation Groups, where he has spoken at DRI conferences
  • He is active in the DRI’s Construction Committee, and Professional Liability Committee, where he serves on their Design Professional Subcommittees
  • He has authored a number of articles for the DRI’s monthly publication, For the Defense
  • He is an extensive author and speaker on a number of topics from products liability to construction law issues

Practice Areas Explained

William S. "Bill" Thomas's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William S. "Bill" Thomas handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Construction Law

William S. "Bill" Thomas is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Missouri →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Missouri

Practicing law in Missouri. Legal matters in Missouri are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in St. Louis are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Missouri state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Missouri brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Missouri courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Missouri attorneys? Browse all attorneys in St. Louis or all attorneys in Missouri.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about William S. "Bill" Thomas

Where is William S. "Bill" Thomas's law office located?
William S. "Bill" Thomas's law practice is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The firm is Gausnell, O'Keefe & Thomas LLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does William S. "Bill" Thomas handle?
William S. "Bill" Thomas focuses on construction. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Missouri.
Where did William S. "Bill" Thomas go to law school?
William S. "Bill" Thomas earned their education at (JD, 1994); (—).
How can I contact William S. "Bill" Thomas for a consultation?
You can contact William S. "Bill" Thomas directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has William S. "Bill" Thomas received?
William S. "Bill" Thomas's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental; Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants.

Education

JD
Saint Louis University
- 1994
University of Notre Dame
- In Progress

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (St. Louis)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (St. Louis)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Construction (St. Louis)
- 2022

Bar Admissions

Missouri, Missouri
Illinois, Illinois

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