Our History
1920
1940
1980
1990
2000
2010

1895
Bernard Greensfelder was admitted to the bar and enrolled in the St. Louis County Circuit Court on June 26, 1895.

1901
Bernard Greensfelder is one of the original founders of the Jewish Federation, being elected secretary of the new group at age 29, according to the St. Louis Light. "From the minutes of that historic first meeting in November 1901, Greensfelder's recorded reports on board meetings are remarkable alike in their attention to detail and fidelity to the spirit motivating the organization."

1920s
Between 1922 and the 1940s, the firm changed and grew as various partners joined and departed. The firm operated under names including Greensfelder & Levi; Greensfelder & Grand; Greensfelder, Dyott & Grand; and Greensfelder, Rosenberger & Grand. By the 1930s, the firm had eight attorneys, although the ranks did shrink during the wartime years of the next decade.

1927
Forrest Hemker received his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and joined the firm making $80 a month. He remained with the firm for 59 years until his death in 1986.

1928
Edward Greensfelder was Bernard’s son and the second of three generations of Greensfelders to practice with the firm. He joined after his graduation from Washington University in 1928 and was the seventh attorney with the firm.

1930
The firm weathers the Great Depression and manages to continue to grow. It had about eight attorneys during this time and also rented office space and shared secretarial services with sole practitioners.

1937
The firm adopts the name Greensfelder & Hemker.

1946
Edward Wiese becomes a partner of the firm after returning from the war. He was instrumental in establishing the downtown St. Louis landmark Kiener Plaza. A very good athlete, he brought in clients from his many activities and interests related to sports.

1947-48
Mark Gale and Kent Chappelow join the firm, both graduates of Washington University School of Law. The two were instrumental in helping the firm to expand beyond its small clientele and bring in new business.

1948
Forrest Hemker was named head of the Missouri Bar Association.

1953
Bernard Greensfelder retires from active law practice, turning his focus to "projects to benefit the poor, the hungry, the aging, school children and many other groups," according to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

1958
Forest Hemker’s son, F. Roger Hemker, joins the firm right out of law school, practicing general business and estate planning.

1960
The firm moves to the Victoria Building at 407 N. Eighth St. in downtown St. Louis.

1963
Founding partner Bernard Greensfelder dies on Dec. 14 at 92 years old at Jewish Hospital of complications following pneumonia.

1972
Greensfelder moves into its current headquarters at 10 S. Broadway in downtown St. Louis.

1984
The firm becomes a professional corporation, with 46 attorneys at the time.

1989
The firm adopts its current name of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.

1995
Greensfelder's Southern Illinois office opens in Belleville, serving the Metro East and beyond in a full range of practice areas. As the firm as a whole celebrates 125 years in 2020, the Southern Illinois office marks a quarter-century in business.

1995
Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan recognizes “Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. Day” in honor of the firm’s 100th anniversary. As noted in the proclamation, the firm had about 85 attorneys at the time and was noted for its support for "professional bar activities" and its "civic responsibility and generosity in the community."

2008
The Chicago office of Greensfelder opens its doors, bringing the firm into its second major metro area.

2009
The Greensfelder sign is added to St. Louis office building, overlooking downtown toward Busch Stadium.

2016
New St. Louis conference center opens, expanding to about 10,500 square feet and filling the majority of the 20th floor at 10 S. Broadway. Highlights include a bar and café, updated teleconferencing technology and flexible meeting space.

2016
Tim Thornton is appointed as the firm's first Chief Executive Officer. Thornton held the position of President and CEO until his death in 2019.

2018
Greensfelder opens an office at the Cortex Innovation Community, an active and growing innovation hub and technology district in St. Louis.

2020
Kevin McLaughlin begins tenure as the firm's President and CEO in 2020, as the firm celebrates its 125th year.

2020
In summer 2020, the firm opened a satellite office in Clayton, Missouri, the St. Louis County seat. This expanded geographic reach allows the firm to improve client service by offering a meeting location further west in the St. Louis metro area.
Greensfelder was founded in St. Louis in 1895, and the firm celebrates 125 years in 2020. This timeline provides highlights from our long history. Click on any item above to learn more.