About Jennifer

Jennifer R. Piper attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where she earned a B.A. in political science, she then went on to receive her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law.

As an attorney, Jennifer has been distinguished by Missouri Lawyers Weekly as a Rising Star, Up and Coming Lawyer; she has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2017-2022 in the practice area of Family Law. Ms. Piper also recently received a Woman’s Justice Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly in 2019 and recognized by Missouri Super Lawyers for 2021-2022.

In the News:

Experience

Ms. Piper served as a member of the 2010 and 2011 inaugural class of Barristers in The Theodore McMillian American Inn of Court. As a member and Past President of The St. Louis County Bar Association, Ms. Piper is still actively involved in the organization and helps organize Continuing Legal Education Seminars and events. Ms. Piper was appointed and served on a special committee of the Missouri Bar Association dealing with issues involving juvenile cases and immigration. Ms. Piper was appointed by St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Burton to serve on a special committee to improve the Family Court of St. Louis County that developed and implemented new local rules and procedures. Ms. Piper served on the Board of Directors for Caring for Kids, an organization developed and designed to provide essential resources to meet the urgent needs of children in foster care in St. Louis County.

Certified as a Guardian Ad Litem, Ms. Piper is regularly appointed to represent and protect children by Judges and Commissioners in St. Louis County and St. Louis City. Ms. Piper volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem for the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court Docket. Ms. Piper is certified as a Mediator for civil and family law matters. Ms. Piper is also a certified Parenting Coordinator and is regularly appointed by the Court to assist families with the most difficult custody matters.

Family Ally has been ranked by U.S. News- Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list in Family Law, St. Louis 2021-2022
Women’s Justice Award, from Missouri Lawyers Weekly 2019
Named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2017-2022 in the practice area of Family Law
Selected to Missouri Super Lawyers 2021-2022
Recognized by St Louis Small Business Monthly as one of the Best Attorneys in St. Louis for 2020
Reinker, Hamilton & Piper, LLC listed with US News and World Reports, Best Law Firms in the area of Family Law for the St. Louis Metro Area 2016-2020
Named Up and Coming Lawyer from Missouri Super Lawyers, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
Appointed to Special Committee of Missouri Bar Association addressing Juvenile Law and Immigration Issues, 2011
Named Up and Coming Lawyer from Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2009
Appointed to Special Committee of St. Louis County addressing the Family Court rules and procedures
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Ranking

University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 1998

B.A.

Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, 2001

J.D.

Family Law

– Child Custody
– Divorce
– Child Support
– Adoption
– Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
– Alimony

Family Law Mediation

Missouri, 2001
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 2001
Illinois, 2002 (currently inactive)

Full Day Domestic and Guardian Ad Litem CLE, Parent Coordinators, 2021
Society of Human Resource Management: What to Expect and How to Support Your Employee Going through a Divorce or Modification, 2019
Going Solo: How to Start Your Own Law Firm, 2016
Divorce over 50, 2014
Veteran’s Benefits in Divorce, 2013
Finding and Preserving Electronic Evidence, 2010

The Missouri Bar Association
Illinois Bar Association, Inactive
St. Louis County Bar Association, Past President
St. Louis County Bar Association, President, 2010
St. Louis County Bar Association, President Elect, 2009
St. Louis County Bar Association, Treasurer, 2008
St. Louis County Bar Association, Secretary, 2007
St. Louis County Bar Association, Executive Committee, 2003 – 2006
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Family and Juvenile Law Section, Chair Elect 2022-2023
The Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis
The Theodore McMillian Inns of Court, Barrister, Inaugural class 2010
St. Louis County Law Library, Board of Directors, 2004 – 2010
Caring For Kids, Board of Directors 2010-2013
The Missouri Bar Association Juvenile Courts and Law Committee, Vice-Chair 2011-2012
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, National Member and Missouri Chapter
St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association
Association of Missouri Mediators
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Amicable Divorce Network

Domestic Law Specialization

Ms. Piper has successfully represented numerous individuals in all areas of domestic law. Many cases have involved dissolutions, paternity actions, child custody disputes, child support disputes, adoption, juvenile law, abuse and neglect, property division, and guardianship proceedings. Ms. Piper has successfully argued in front of the Missouri Appellate Court on several occasions. Most notably, Ms. Piper argued in the reported case of Brown v. Shannahan, 141 S.W.3d 77 (Mo.App. E.D. 2004). In Brown, the Court agreed with Ms. Piper and established the following new holding: that the statute governing relocations of parents and minor children did not apply to cases where the court was making an initial determination of paternity and custody.