Donald W. Paule

Don Paule has extensive experience representing clients in business and commercial law matters, including mergers and acquisitions and real estate development, as well as handling complex family trust and estate and tax planning matters. His range of knowledge has allowed him to serve as outside general counsel for many closely-held businesses, handling the legal needs of the business, and also the legal needs of the business owners.

Mr. Paule graduated from Washington University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science. He completed his law degree at Washington University School of Law in 1966 on a combined degree program with the School of Engineering, receiving the JD degree two years after the completion of his engineering undergraduate education. Subsequently, he obtained an LLM in Taxation from Washington University in 1978. Mr. Paule attributes much of his success in the representation of his clients to his undergraduate training in engineering. That education was one focused on logic and problem solving and it is that approach that is utilized with respect to every client’s legal matters.

His general business, corporate and commercial law practice includes advising clients on the choice of entity, formation of business entity, and the operation and dissolution of those business entities, including corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. He has represented a broad range of business clients including automobile dealers, manufacturers, professional service firms including architects and engineers, restaurants, and real estate construction and development companies. Real estate development and construction activities have involved representing those clients in all aspects of residential, multi-family and commercial real estate development, including financing, permitting, contracting, condemnation and litigation.

Mr. Paule actively represents closely-held family businesses in all aspects of shareholder and ownership succession planning as well as sale and purchase of businesses, mergers and acquisitions and ownership succession planning and related tax issues.

Mr. Paule has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Consolidated Grain and Barge Co., Cupples Company Manufacturers, Inc., and Maritz, Inc. as well as a member of the Board of Directors of numerous other closely held corporate clients.

Business relationships frequently lead to addressing personal relationships, and estate planning, taxation, and probate and trust administration are other areas in which Mr. Paule places his focus with his clients, including creation and administration of revocable and irrevocable trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and private charitable foundations. He is designated as an Accredited Estate Planner® by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils. He is a member of the Estate Planning Council of St. Louis, Attorneys for Family Held Enterprises, and the Family Firm Institute.
Mr. Paule served for eight years as Chairman of the St. Louis County Civil Service Commission and devoted substantial time and attention to the development of the merit system pay plans, personnel policies and practices, preparation of job descriptions, and participation as a hearing officer in suspension and discharge cases.

In addition to his practice, Mr. Paule has been very active in civic activities, having served as a Member of the Board and Chairman of the West County YMCA, Member of the Board and Chairman of the Board The College School, Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis, Member of the Board of Home Health Care Foundation, Member of the Board of Directors of Lindenwood University, and Member of the AMC Cancer Research Institute – St. Louis Area Board of Directors.

Mr. Paule has served as adjunct faculty in the MBA Program at the Washington University School of Business for more than forty years teaching Law and Business Management and Legal Issues at Business Stages.

Mr. Paule been listed in Naifeh & Smith’s Best Lawyer in America® since 2007 and presently listed for Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisition Law, Real Estate Law, and Trusts and Estates. He has also been listed in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® since 2006. Mr. Paule was also designated by the St. Louis Small Business Monthly as one of the 2018 top estate planning attorneys in St. Louis.

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