Mentor: Carl M. Markus, 59

Practice Areas: Corporate, estate planning, nonprofit, prenuptial, tax

Law School: Saint Louis University

A colleague at the St. Louis firm Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal said Carl Markus helps those around him “become the best versions of themselves.” He’s approachable, encouraging and always willing to talk to both seasoned and young attorneys — whether they want to discuss the nuance of the law, career advice or how the firm operates.

In his practice, he does everything from drafting simple wills and trusts with little or no transfer or income tax consequences, to complicated multi-million dollar business succession and asset-protection planning that involves multiple generations and significant transfer and income-tax consequences. He has won cases before the Internal Revenue Service and the Missouri Department of Revenue at both the audit and appeals levels. He also is a certified public accountant.

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what profession would you have chosen?

I have degrees in accounting and finance, but it would probably be something in the automotive industry or a long-haul trucker.

What is something that would surprise people about you?

I referee high school soccer.