People

Mary Rychnovsky

Counsel

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Mary Rychnovsky joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2020 bringing over 27 years of experience litigating personal injury and property damage cases to verdict, including medical malpractice, complex toxic tort and product liability cases. Mary has extensive knowledge of litigation risk analysis, case strategy development, litigation budget management, and all aspects of litigation management. Her experience includes leading and supervisinglitigation teams, collaborating with corporate clients and national counsel and achieving successful outcomes in front of juries and on appeal.

Licensures and Admissions

Missouri

Illinois

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Missouri Bar Professionalism Committee

Women Lawyers’ Association

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Member of the Professional Ethics Committee (2000-01)

The Bar Plan Foundation, Secretary/Board of Trustee Member (2001)

Civic Activities

St. Louis County Voices for Children, Volunteer

The Bar Plan Foundation Charity Golf Tournaments, Chairperson (2000 &
2001)

The Bar Plan Foundation Charity Run/Walk, Chairperson (2001)

Women Lawyers’ Association Golf Tournament, Chairperson (1999)

Presentations

“Developments in the Toxic Tort Arena,” Corporate Client Presentations (2002-Present)

“The Asbestos Case Against Automotive and Friction Product Defendants,” HarrisMartin’s Asbestos Litigation Conference (2008)

“Ethical Issues Arising in Benzene Discovery,” Mealey’s BenzeneLitigation Conference (2008)

“The Future of Asbestos Litigation,” National Business Institute Asbestos Conference (2008)

“Avoiding Motions to Compel and/or Sanctions in the Benzene Arena,”Mealey’s Benzene Litigation Conference (2007)

“Planning Ahead to Avoid Legal Malpractice,” National Business Institute, Practical Legal Ethics in Missouri (2003)

“Ethical Considerations Surrounding Property Insurance Law,” Sterling Education Services (2003)

Law Firm Audit Program, The Bar Plan Foundation (2001)

“Are You Exposed,” The Missouri Bar (2001)

“The Golden Rules of Avoiding Malpractice,” The Missouri Bar (2001)

“How to Be Professional, Ethical and Avoid Malpractice,” The Missouri Bar (2001)

“An Ounce of Prevention: Hidden Dangers for the Wary Lawyer,” The Missouri Bar (2001)

“Everyday Ethics in Your Law Office,” Missouri Bar (2000)

“The Essentials of Good Practice,” Missouri Bar (2000)

“Issues in Claims Resolution,” General American Life Insurance (1997, 1999)

Publications

Patrico v. A.W. Chesterton, et al., 2014 WL 2197779 (May 27, 2014)

Larkin v. St. Louis Housing Authority Development Corp., 355 F.3d 1114 (8th Cir. 2004)

Biermann v. Gallant Ins. Co., et al., 16 S.W.3d 729 (Mo.App.E.D. 2000)

Potts v. St. Johns Lutheran Church, 964 S.W.2d 244 (Mo.App.E.D. 1998)

Harris v. General American Life Ins. Co., Inc., 902 F. Supp. 1007 (E.D.Mo. 1995)

Author of the Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition Problem (1997)

Awards & Recognition

2025
Missouri Lawyers Media
Women's Justice Award
Litigation Practitioner