ST. LOUIS – Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale law firm officer Amy L. Blaisdell has received the 2018 Missouri Lawyer’s Award “...for her role in a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld an exemption in federal law for church-affiliated pension plans,” the firm announced in a press release Dec. 19.
In the case of Advocate Health Care Network et al. v. Stapleton et al., Blaisdell represented Advocate Healthcare Network and two hospitals that have religious affiliations. In handing down its decision on June 5, the U.S. Supreme Court found in favor of Blaisdell’s clients, reversing the decisions of all the lower courts that heard the case.
According to the firm, Blaisdell “...is recognized in the Influential Appellate Advocates category for her role in a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a high-profile case involving the interpretation of ERISA's (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) 'church plan' definition.”
The Missouri Lawyers Awards, which are presented every year by Missouri Lawyers Weekly, recognizes and honors attorneys who have made an impact the previous year.
The category that recognized Blaisdell, "Influential Appellate Advocates," honors attorneys involved in the most influential appellate decisions of the past year.
Blaisdell will be presented with the honor on Jan. 26 in St. Louis, at an awards luncheon. Missouri Lawyers Weekly will also write a profile of Blaisdell. It covers business news for attorneys in Missouri.
Blaisdell represents employers nationwide in the defense of employment and employee benefits litigation, according to the firm's press release. She focuses her practice on highly regulated industries including health care, the securities industry and banking.
Blaisdell is a graduate of St. Louis University School of Law, and she earned her undergraduate degree at Murray State. She has been with Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale since 2001.