Law Office of Michelle M. Funkenbusch

Law Office of Michelle M. Funkenbusch Funkenbusch specializes in personal injury, car/bike/and truck accidents, workers' comp, family, and criminal law. Why hire me as your personal injury lawyer?

Here are just a few representative verdicts & settlements:

•Local Counsel on Walter Huggins v. Fed Ex Ground, which was tried in December 2010 in federal court in St. Louis, Missouri. Won $1,050,000.00.

•Trial Counsel on railroad crossing collision case representing truck driver and trucking company against Union Pacific railroad. Won $600,000.00 plus verdict after two week trial in St. Louis Ci

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•Settlement prior to filing suit for $500,000.00 against railroad company for a dangerous railroad crossing where a minister was hit by a train at an unprotected and dangerous crossing.

•Worker’s Compensation: In Spring 2010, won award for employee of trucking company who sustained multiple injuries from a fall and who was denied medical treatment. Michelle was able to proved the work-related accident was the prevailing factor in causing the employee to sustain his injuries and won an award requiring the employer to pay all outstanding medical bills, to pay over $47.000.00 in back temporary total disability weekly benefits, and an order requiring the employer to provide medical treatment and temporary benefits in the future. The permanent disability case is still pending subject to the client completing treatment.

•Negotiated confidential settlement of a discrimination claim an employee had against her employer who refused to give her reasonable accommodations to assist her in her job when she was recovering from a cancer operation.

•Obtained complete dismissal of a felony criminal case in St. Louis County in 2012 after filing complex Motion to Suppress Evidence Due to Lack of Probable Cause For Traffic Stop

08/01/2023

📚💼 **Unveiling the Empathetic Side of Law**: Why Grieving for Our Clients Matters 💔😔

Hey, legal eagles! 🦅 We all know being an attorney demands resilience and intellect, but let's talk about the often overlooked aspect – the human touch! 🤝💕

Picture this: You're representing a client, facing a daunting future in prison, leaving the kiddos behind. 😢 It's okay to admit it hits you in the feels! 💔 It took me an entire afternoon to recover today. And guess what? That's a good thing! 🌟

**Here's why it's cool to let the tears flow:**

1️⃣ **Empathy = Better Advocacy**: Feeling their struggles drives us to go that extra mile in the courtroom, unleashing our fierce legal ninja skills! 🔥 Empathy helps us truly understand our clients' unique situations and allows us to tailor our strategies with heart and precision. It's like turning up the volume on our legal expertise while being in sync with our clients' emotions.

2️⃣ **Building Real Connections**: Showing we care builds trust, leading to open communication and more powerful legal strategies! 🗣️💪 Our clients aren't just case files; they're real people with emotions, dreams, and fears. By empathizing with their situation, we break down barriers and create a harmonious attorney-client relationship. This kind of connection fosters transparency, enabling us to gather essential information and present a stronger case.

3️⃣ **Grasping the Ripple Effect**: Legal battles impact lives beyond case files – it's the real deal! 😮 Our clients' lives are interconnected with their families, friends, and communities. When we grieve for them, it reminds us of the profound implications of our work. We take into account not only the immediate legal implications but also the long-term effects on their loved ones. It's like zooming out to see the bigger picture while staying focused on the details.

4️⃣ **Pro-Level Professionalism**: Grieving doesn't mean weakness! It enhances our passion, making us unstoppable justice seekers! 💥 Acknowledging our emotions doesn't diminish our professionalism; it strengthens it. As empathetic attorneys, we bring a unique blend of legal expertise and human understanding to our cases. It's like adding a special riff to our legal performances that resonates with judges, juries, and clients alike.

5️⃣ **Being Superheroes Outside Court**: Empathy pushes us to connect clients with essential resources, making a difference beyond the law books! 🦸‍♀️🌟 We wear many hats as attorneys, and our role doesn't end when we leave the courtroom. By grieving for our clients, we're inspired to be superheroes outside the legal realm, seeking resources, support, and solutions to help them navigate challenging times. It's like creating a playlist of helpful services that they can turn to even after the case is closed.

In the legal world, mental health is a crucial aspect that deserves attention and support. As lawyers, we often face high levels of stress, pressure, and emotional challenges while navigating complex cases and representing our clients. To address this issue and foster a healthier legal profession, we need to open up conversations about mental health and well-being. Let's break the stigma and use hashtags like , , and to raise awareness, share experiences, and support one another. Together, we can build a community that values self-care, encourages seeking help when needed, and prioritizes mental wellness in our legal careers. Let's advocate for a profession where lawyers can thrive both professionally and emotionally. Dedicated to: My many attorney friends and colleagues who have taken their lives.

07/18/2023

It’s National Month and we’re shining a light on Legal Services’ Children’s Legal Alliance program, which provides individual legal representation to children and youth with educational issues, including special education, suspension/expulsion, students experiencing homelessness, and students in foster care.

Recently, CLA Program attorneys helped “Sophia,” a fourth grader attending a Missouri school district who was falling behind in school. Although Sophia was several grade levels behind in reading, math, and writing, the school district had previously refused to evaluate her for special education services.

Fortunately, an agency partner referred Sophia to our office for help with obtaining special education services. Our program attorney contacted the district and successfully advocated for special education testing for Sophia. Testing found that Sophia had learning disabilities in both reading and math. An IEP (Individualized Education Plan) was developed which provided Sophia with 90 minutes per day of special education support in academics.

As a result, Sophia is receiving the educational support she needs and deserves -- and a better shot at achieving success in school.

Title: The Power of Persuasion: Why Your Lawyer Needs the Gift of GabYou know those people... the ones with campfire sto...
07/16/2023

Title: The Power of Persuasion: Why Your Lawyer Needs the Gift of Gab

You know those people... the ones with campfire stories and who are the most fun at happy hour... they have The Gift of Gab. This morning I'm spilling the tea on this all-important legal topic... lawyers with The Gift of Gab! You may have heard the saying, "Never hire a lawyer who can't play chess in the dark." Well, today I'm adding my own little twist to this age-old wisdom - "Never hire a lawyer who can't convince a goldfish to buy a bike." Sounds odd, doesn't it? Trust me, by the end of this post, you'll be nodding your head in agreement.

The legal field is not for the faint-hearted. It's a battleground where arguments are the ammunition, and your lawyer is the general, leading your case towards victory. While possessing a thorough knowledge of the law is undeniably essential, there's one more attribute that can make a considerable difference - the ability to persuade, or as I like to call it, the Gift of Gab.

Why, you may ask, does it matter if your lawyer can convince a goldfish to buy a bike? It's not just about the absurdity of the task but the skill and ingenuity it requires. Picture it: there you are, trying to persuade a creature with a supposed nine-second memory span, that doesn't even have the physical capability to ride a bike, to make a purchase. This takes a level of persuasive ability that extends beyond the ordinary; it requires creativity, adaptability, and an understanding of one's audience, no matter how unique they may be.

And that's precisely what you need in a lawyer - someone who can adapt their strategy to any jury, any judge, any opposition, and convince them of your case's merits. A lawyer with the Gift of Gab doesn't just recite facts and legal statutes; they paint vivid pictures, weave compelling narratives, and strike a chord with their audience's emotions.

Let's not forget the importance of storytelling in the courtroom. The greatest lawyers in history didn't just state the facts; they told stories that engaged the listener, that made the complex understandable and the dry fascinating. They could take the most complicated legal scenarios and make them as engaging as an edge-of-your-seat thriller.

In short, it's not just about possessing knowledge but effectively communicating it. Legal prowess alone does not win cases; persuasive ability does. Your lawyer needs to transform the courtroom into a stage and captivate their audience with their compelling oration.

To bring it back around, a lawyer who can convince a goldfish to buy a bike is not simply performing an absurd trick. They're demonstrating an understanding of their audience, they're showcasing their ability to think outside the box, and they're proving that they have the power of persuasion.

Remember, choosing a lawyer is not simply about their knowledge of the law, but also their ability to communicate it effectively and convincingly. So next time you find yourself in need of a lawyer, consider their persuasive abilities. Ask yourself, could they convince a goldfish to buy a bike? If the answer is yes, then you've likely found a lawyer with the Gift of Gab, and that's a person you want on your side.

You can reach me at SaintLouisLegal.com or our office at 314-338-3500. But give yourself extra time to meet with me... because I might try to sell you a bike. -Michelle

"I've been in the legal field since 1996 and there is only one truth in the law, the truth does not matter... it is about what the lawyers can PROVE." -Michelle

07/14/2023

Lawyers and Pro Se Litigants,
Effective July 1, 2023, in accordance with Court Operating Rule 2.02, when an individual files a document with the court that is required to be redacted under Court Operating Rule 2.02 or Rules 19.10 (criminal), 55.025 (civil), or 84.015 (appellate), the filer also must contemporaneously file a confidential redacted information filing sheet (CRIFS) that either:
Has the unredacted version of the document attached thereto; or
Sets out the information redacted from the document and explains either where in the document the information was redacted, or the generic descriptors used in the document to reference the type of redacted information.
The filing information sheets have been updated to include that language and a new Confidential Redacted Information Filing Sheet (FI-35) has been created.

To download FI-35 go to: https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=384

And download Redact Pro at HiveMindLegal.com to redact your documents.

07/14/2023

Go to our website HiveMindLegal.com to see the latest HiveMind video on your desktop before downloading your FREE trial of Redact Pro Beta. There is no reason to worry about time consuming redaction anymore! You have the help of artificial intelligence to help you find confidential information and redact it right in MS Word. Spread the word!
HiveMind Legal Founders, Michelle and Tripp

01/14/2015

Hey Truman State University grads!! If you would like to attend a free alumni networking event this Saturday, let me know. I am speaking along with others on entrepreneurship. http://www.saintlouislegal.com/event/funkenbusch-speaks-truman-state-alumni-bulldogs-supporting-bulldogs-networking-event/

Trial Attorney Michelle M. (Buelt) Funkenbusch was invited to speak at the annual “Bulldogs Supporting Bulldogs Networking Event” featuring Truman Alumni Entrepreneurs. It is Sponsored by the Truman Alumni Association and St. Louis Alumni Chapter. It is a FREE event for all Truman alumni, attendees…

A question that I am asked a lot as a local St. Louis expert in cycling law is whether cyclists can legally ride down th...
08/11/2014

A question that I am asked a lot as a local St. Louis expert in cycling law is whether cyclists can legally ride down the road side by side rather than single file. I have drafted a permanent page on my website to answer this question. I also explain the St. Louis City ordinance that makes it illegal to ride your bike on the sidewalk if you are 15 or older unless it is a designated bike path. Let me know if I can clarify anything.
http://www.saintlouislegal.com/areas-of-practice/bicycle-accidents/cyclingsidebyside-com/

St. Louis Expert in Cycling Law: Two Cyclists in St. Louis City can ride Side By Side If Not Impeding the Reasonable Flow of Traffic.

06/23/2014

CYCLING SAFETY AWARENESS IN THE NEWS: Tune in tomorrow Tuesday, June 24th at 7:15am for my interview on Fox 2 News in the Morning about our grass roots campaign to promote cycling safety in St. Louis City. Some fellow cyclists and I have a meeting scheduled tomorrow afternoon with the St. Louis City Transportation Director to discuss what can be done. This was in response to a rally we had in front of City Hall this morning. We will also be seeking to meet with the police regarding law enforcement issues as they relate to enforcement of crimes against cyclists and reporting of accidents involving cyclists.

Address

2901 Dougherty Ferry Road Suite 100
St. Louis, MO
63119

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13143383500

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