A life-long resident of St. Louis County, Stephen G. Bell has been engaged exclusively in the private practice of law in Metropolitan St. Louis since his graduation from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1982.

Mr. Bell is the recipient of an attorney’s highest accolade, the prestigious “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, our country’s most trusted source for identifying qualified attorneys. Mr. Bell’s rating is the result of an extensive confidential review and assessment of his legal abilities and ethics conducted by judges and attorneys in Metropolitan St. Louis. The AV rating indicates very high-to-preeminent legal ability, expertise, and qualifications, and the highest professional reputation for adherence to standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence. Less than 8% of attorneys in Metropolitan St. Louis enjoy the AV rating.

Mr. Bell attended Saint Louis University on a full academic scholarship, where he completed the four-year Honors Program in three years, graduating magna cum laude with an Honors Bachelor of Arts (1979) and with a Juris Doctorate from the Saint Louis University School of Law (1982).

Mr. Bell’s past and current civic and charitable service includes the following:

·       Founder and Executive Director of The Gabriel Project, a not-for-profit company that provides free legal services to the poor

·       Founder and President, DAKOTA, Inc., an organization serving families of children with disabilities

·       Director/Counsel, Rachael’s Rainbows, providing financial assistance and services to parents who have lost a child

·       Director/Counsel, Gwendolyn’s Gifts, providing assistance to families of children suffering from serious illnesses

·       Sponsor/Advisor, Urban Farming Movement

·       Counsel/Supporter, Lifelong Pets, keeping pets in the lives of the elderly

·       Member, Planning Commission, City of Webster Groves

·       Chairman, Health and Environmental Services Advisory Board, City of Webster Groves

·       Member, Missouri State Board, United Cerebral Palsy Association

·       Speaker, National Down Syndrome Congress

·       Instructor, Rockwood School District, Partners in Education Program

·       Chairman, Proffitt Family Foundation, providing financial assistance to charities

·       Chairman, Religious High Schools Foundation, providing financial aid for education

·       Counsel, St. Louis HELP (Health Equipment Lending Program)

·       Volunteer Attorney, Joplin Tornado Disaster Center

·       Judge, Missouri High School Mock Trial Program

·       Member and Chairman of many boards, including De Smet Jesuit High School, St. Clement of Rome Catholic School, and Lou Fusz Soccer Club

Mr. Bell has been recognized by The Missouri Bar on the Pro Bono Wall of Fame for providing access to justice for those who cannot afford legal counsel.

Mr. Bell was appointed by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke to serve on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities-Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri’s largest private social services organization, comprising eight agencies offering more than 60 programs to more than 100,000 disadvantaged people each year.  Mr. Bell was subsequently elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Board.