About Eric Kendall
Eric Kendall Banks earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri–Columbia in 1980 after beginning law school in 1977. His legal training at Missouri placed him in the heart of a Midwestern legal community that would shape the early years of his career.
He moved into public service immediately after law school, taking a position as Assistant General Counsel at the Missouri Public Service Commission in 1980. That role introduced him to regulatory law and the mechanics of administrative proceedings. In 1984 he joined the Office of the Circuit Lawyer as an Assistant Circuit Lawyer, handling matters that required courtroom experience and an understanding of local procedures.
By 1987 Banks returned to private practice as a trial lawyer, primarily defending the Burlington Northern Railroad Company. Those years in litigation gave him sustained exposure to transportation liability issues, dense factual records and trial strategy. In 1992 he shifted into an in-house role as Corporate Counsel for Seigel Robert, Inc., where corporate transactional work and internal legal advisement rounded out his litigation background. In 1997 he served as City Counselor in the Office of the City Counselor, advising municipal officials and dealing with the legal questions that arise in city governance.
In 1999 Banks became an equity partner, senior of counsel and business owner in private practice. That step formalized his role as a firm leader and brought together his public-sector and corporate experience into a single practice. He is admitted to practice in Missouri and Illinois, and he holds admission to several federal appellate courts, including the 7th, 8th and 10th Circuits, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. Over the decades his work has ranged from regulatory matters to complex civil defense.
Outside the usual legal credentials, Banks is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist through the National Guild of Hypnotists, an unusual certification for a lawyer and one that speaks to an interest in applied psychology and communication. He is now based at Banks Law LLC, where he continues to handle litigation, counsel corporate clients and advise on regulatory and municipal issues. His current practice centers on civil litigation, corporate counsel matters and regulatory work.
