The POWER List 2022: Erin L. Brooks

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, St. Louis

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s St. Louis office needed someone to head its Charitable Response Team, it turned to Erin Brooks. The 2010 Saint Louis University graduate went on to mobilize a team that raised $50,000 in just one month for Operation Food Search. Another month saw it fulfill a local elementary school’s entire Amazon wish list of virtual learning equipment.

An environmental attorney with a specialization in real estate redevelopment and renewable energy, Brooks is well-versed in responses to regulatory and enforcement actions. She is also experienced in site investigation and remediation as well as transactional matters and mergers and acquisitions. She routinely represents developers, investors and sellers at all phases of a real estate deal from due diligence and insurance procurement to post-closing issues. As someone who regularly counsels and defends occupational safety and health matters, Brooks is a respected author on issues affecting OSHA-regulated employers.

“Erin’s appreciation of business drivers is well-supported by her experience working ‘hand-in-hand’ with clients on corporate governance issues, such as serving as independent counsel for board committees to conduct large-scale investigations and advising energy industry clients on corporate social responsibility policies,” said the description on BCLP’s website. “In these capacities, she has played a critical role in evaluating potential compliance issues for the purpose of identifying and implementing proactive solutions, and appropriate remediation as needed.”

Outside the legal community, Brooks has served on the board of directors for Operation Food Search. Along with Wells Fargo, her firm was recognized by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri for the pro bono work of a team she helped lead in representing clients in estate planning and housing cases.