Shareholder Jeff Wehmer joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2014. His legal practice focuses primarily on product liability and premises liability litigation, while also serving clients with business litigation and fiduciary litigation defense. Jeff works with diverse clients including designers, manufacturers, sellers, and property owners and managers, and from industries including consumer and recreational products, insurance, heavy machinery, small and medium sized enterprises, transportation, and real estate.
Developing a personal relationship is integral to Jeff’s work with his clients. He invests time in learning about his clients’ businesses and competitive landscape, and finding an approach to legal situations that best represent their goals and interests. Interacting with clients new and old is one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. Jeff’s aggressive, consistent approach to litigation and client service continue to help him forge and maintain client relationships, including with one of the largest equipment rental companies in North America and one of the nation’s largest real estate development and property management firms. Related to the latter, Jeff regularly defends property owners and managers, including specializing in negligent security cases.
In 2024, Jeff was named a Best Lawyer in America for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. In 2021 and 2022, Jeff was named a Missouri and Kansas Rising Star in product liability by Super Lawyers. In 2018, Jeff was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 Under 30 class, an award given to young professionals with a high level of professional achievement and community involvement. Also in 2018, Jeff completed the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers’ Trial Academy.
Jeff serves on the firm’s Recruiting Committee, Professional Development Committee, and is a leader in the firm’s summer associate program.
Outside the office, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife Deane and their Goldendoodle Donnie, playing golf, and being on the water. Jeff is a Missouri Athletic Club member where he currently serves as a Board of Governor and on the Governance Committee.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of a large, nationwide product manufacturer and seller in personal injury product liability case alleging design defect, failure to warn, negligence, and punitive damages related to roof truss failure and roof collapse wherein claimed damages exceeded eight figures.
Represented property management and property ownership companies in various personal injury and wrongful death negligent security cases, involving claims of negligence, premises liability, and punitive/aggravating circumstances damages related to criminal acts committed by a third parties on defendants’ property where claimed damages often exceeded eight figures. Obtained favorable resolutions.
Represented a nationwide theme park operator in a personal injury product liability case involving design defect, failure to warn, negligence, and punitive damages allegations related to a rollercoaster derailing with claims exceeding eight figures. Obtained a favorable resolution.
Represented waterslide engineers in a widely publicized wrongful death product liability case involving design defect, failure to warn, negligence, and aggravating circumstances damages allegations claiming that a waterslide defect led to a minor’s death. Obtained favorable resolution for client.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of the trustee in a fiduciary litigation case involving undue influence, lack of mental capacity, and trustee wrongdoing where the claim damages exceeded seven figures.
Obtained favorable resolution for sporting goods manufacturer and operator in personal injury product liability case involving design defect, failure to warn, negligence, and punitive damages allegations, while the jury awarded an adverse, eight-figure jury verdict against remaining defendants.
Received favorable resolution from a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against a boiler maintenance and repair entity in a widely publicized wrongful death and personal injury product liability case involving allegations of design defect, failure to warn, negligence, and punitive damages resulting in a purported boiler explosion.
Obtained numerous trial verdicts in favor of a large homeowners’ association property management company related to various claims including but not limited to breach of contract and ordinance violations.
Represented former Los Angeles Laker basketball star Kobe Bryant in breach of contract and declaratory judgment case. Received favorable judgment.
American Bar Association
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Lawyer's Association of St. Louis
Products Liability Advisory Council
Theodore McMillian American Inn of Court
Jeff has also been an editor of the Journal of the Missouri Bar in the areas of probate and trust law.
J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law, magna cum laude
B.A. in Finance and Economics, University of Missouri - Columbia, magna cum laude
Illinois
Missouri
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Humane Society, Volunteer
Team Activities for Special Kids, Junior Board Member
Panel Member, “Bottom Up: The Next Generation is Changing the Profession,” Presented by the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Division
Co-author, “Employee or Independent Contractor? How the Effects of Classification Impact Employer Liability,” IADC Defense Counsel Journal Volume 83, Ed. 1 (January 2016)