Representative Matters

While on the bench, Judge McLaughlin presided over a wide variety of matters, including:

Appellate
• Served as an appellate judge by order of the Missouri Supreme Court in the following matters:

  • Shupe v. Treasurer of Missouri as Custodian of Second Injury Fund, 435 S.W.3d 705 (Mo. App. 2014)
  • Prince v. Replogle, 437 S.W.3d 393 (Mo. App. 2014)
Business Commercial
• • Presided over a three-day jury trial for claims of common law trespass and conversion. Penn Tenant, LLC v. Shout Outdoor Missouri, LLC et al., 701 S.W.3d 659. (Mo. App. 2024)
  • Adjudicated an employer liability matter where proximate cause was at issue for employee actions taken outside the scope of employment. Campbell v. Baxter International, Inc., 697 S.W.3d 36 (Mo. App. 2024)
  • Adjudicated a commercial property owner’s claims for fraud and fraudulent concealment, where the claims were time barred by the statute of limitations. Schultz v. Bank of America Merrill Lynch Credit Corp., 645 S.W.3d 689 (Mo. App. 2022)
  • Conducted a bench trial involving creditor plaintiff’s claims against LLCs and their members under the Missouri Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (MUFTA), governing transfers as to present and future creditors; the evidence supported the piercing of the corporate veils of the corporate defendants. Dieckmann v. J.H. Construction 2, LLC, 619 S.W.3d 513 (Mo. App. 2021)
  • Presided over a bench trial involving banks claims on promissory notes; property owner was liable for obligations owed pursuant to promissory notes signed by her husband, where she ratified her husband’s authority to execute the promissory notes and related deeds of trust concerning her solely owned property. People’s National Bank, N.A. v. Fish, 600 S.W.3d 273 (Mo. App. 2020)
  • Adjudicated, as a matter of law, a coverage claim where the insured did not give the defendant insurance company notice of his claims for seven years and five years, respectively, after the insured’s instigation of litigation. Lurie v. Commonwealth Land Title Company, LLC, 558 S.W.3d 583 (Mo. App. 2018)
  • Conducted a bench trial involving plaintiff’s claims for breach of contract, quantum meruit, unjust enrichment and violation of Prompt Pay Act, Section 431.180.1-2 R.S.Mo. Rocky Mountain West Telecom, Inc. v. Glenmartin Holding Co., LLC, 15SL-CC03112
Class Action
• • Presided over a class action matter involving claims of employees and former employees for breach of contract, unpaid wages, and benefits. Rhoades v. BJC Health System, et al., 17SL-CC03055-01
  • Presided over a class action for a group of individuals seeking a declaration that default judgments taken against them be voided for lack of personal jurisdiction. Wicks v. Title Loan Company, 17SL-CC02673
  • Adjudicated class certification for a group of individuals seeking a declaration that default judgments taken against them be voided for lack of personal jurisdiction. Martin v. LVNV Funding, LLC, 20SL-CC04219
Employment Law
• • Presided over a five-day jury trial involving plaintiff’s claims of constructive discharge and breach of contract. Boone v. Facilitec, Inc., 13SL-CC00224
  • Presided over a three-day jury trial involving plaintiff’s claims for discrimination on the basis of age and violation of the Missouri Service Letter Statute, Section 290.140 R.S.Mo. Munie v. Cleaver-Brooks Sales and Service, Inc. and Holman Boiler Works, Inc., 15SL-CC00468
  • Presided over a weeklong trial involving plaintiff’s claims for discrimination and retaliation on the basis of disability. McKee v. Mo. Dept. of Corrections, 17SL-CC01269
  • As an attorney, represented working people in hundreds of arbitration cases and administrative hearings involving interpretation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements, including both disciplinary and contract matters
  • As an attorney, represented plaintiffs and defendants in employment discrimination litigation
Family Law
• • Presided over more than 25 trials regarding dissolution of marriage, motions to modify and motions for contempt while assigned to the Family Court for the 21st Circuit; issues included:
    • Adult abuse petitions
    • Child support
    • Custody
    • Domestic violence
    • Dissolution of marriage
    • Divorce
    • Guardianship
    • Motions for contempt
    • Motions to modify
    • Motions to terminate child support/maintenance
    • Paternity
    • Restraining orders
    • Spousal support
    • Valuation
Labor
• • As an attorney, represented working people in dozens of arbitration cases and administrative hearings involving the interpretation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.
  • As an attorney, represented Missouri teachers in the enforcement of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and collective bargaining agreements. In this context, represented teachers in matters involving conduct, licensing and abuse and neglect matters before state and local school boards, the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board, and in Missouri courts.
  • As an attorney, before administrative bodies and in Missouri courts, represented members of the National Education Association (Missouri) and the American Federation of Teachers in matters involving allegations of abuse and neglect in educational settings, allegations of violations of the Teacher Tenure Act (RSMo §168), and actions seeking revocation or discipline of state licenses.
  • As an advocate, represented Teamsters, Service Employee International Union (SEIU), Meat Cutters Union Local 88 (St. Louis), Longshoremen’s Union, IBEW, Laborers Union, and other union members across the trades, including short and long distance truck drivers, factory workers, paralegals, construction and landscaping laborers, gaming facility (horse track) maintenance workers, transportation workers (bus drivers), cemetery workers, grain elevator workers, electrical workers and linemen, meatcutters, and others.
  • As an advocate, represented the Police Officers Pension Fund (St. Louis Police Retirement System).
  • As an advocate, successfully represented the Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers Welfare Fund and the Construction Laborers Pension Trust of Greater St. Louis in numerous actions for delinquent employer contributions.
Personal Injury
• • Presided over a four-day jury trial involving plaintiff’s claims for wrongful death of decedent. Boren v. UFM Operations, LLC d/b/a U-City Forest Manor. 2024 WL 2091839 (Mo.Cir.Ct.)
  • Conducted a two-day jury trial involving plaintiff’s claims for personal injuries. Jentsch v. Midwest Elevator Co., 21SL-CC04115
  • Adjudicated in a matter with respect to the rule governing dismissal of actions where there were two pieces of prior litigation and a time-barred claim. Ferrill v. Yeung. 577 S.W. 3d 818 (Mo. App. 2019)
  • Presided over five-day jury trial involving Plaintiff’s claims for personal injuries arising out of alleged medical negligence. Arnold v. Retina Consultants, LTD, 17SL-CC01922
  • Presided over a five-day jury trial involving Plaintiff’s claims for personal injuries arising out of alleged medical negligence. O’Connell v. Orthopedic Specialists, et al., 17SL-CC03615
  • Presided over a four-day jury trial involving Plaintiff’s claims for personal injuries arising out of alleged medical negligence. See, e.g., Linnertz v. SSM Cardiovascular and Thoracic Services, Inc., 14SL-CC01045
  • Presided over five-day jury trial involving Plaintiff’s claims for personal injuries arising out of alleged medical negligence. Betzold v. St. Anthony’s Medical Center, et al., 12SL-CC04171