Robert E. Guest, Jr.
Founding Member, Of Counsel

Bob practices in the areas of business growth, mergers and acquisitions, capital transactions, and reorganization, often in a strategic advisory role. He represents clients in the full range of stock and asset acquisitions of public and private companies, management buyouts, structuring family buyouts, and divestitures. Bob has provided both legal and strategic advice and counsel to individuals, businesses, and family groups concerning general business representation, estate planning, succession planning, real estate contracts, and commercial lending debt documentation for over 40 years.

 

Bob received his B.S. from Missouri State University (formerly SWMO) in 1977 and his J.D. from the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Law in 1980.

 

Bob is a long-standing member of the Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the St. Louis County Bar Association, and the Association for Corporate Growth.

 

Bob is licensed to practice law in Missouri and is a Founding Member of Affinity Law Group, LLC.

 

In his spare time, Bob serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Aquarium Foundation and advises private and family-owned businesses on properly installing Advisory or Fiduciary Boards of Directors.

Honors and Awards

 

Small Business Monthly Awards include Best M&A Provider in 2016, 2017, and 2021; St. Louis Top Attorney and Top Small Business Lawyer in 2012; 100 St. Louisans to Know in 2013 and 2017; and Best Attorney in 2021.

Professional & Community Involvement

 

Bob has served on the Board of Directors of Enterprise Bank (NASDAQ: EFSC) for over 15 years.  He is currently Chair of the Risk Committee, past Chair and current member of the Nominating and Governance Committee, past member of the Audit Committee, and is currently a member of the Executive Committee.

 

Bob also currently serves on several other corporate Boards of Directors for privately owned and family-owned businesses.

Combination with Sandberg, Phoenix & von Gontard P.C.

I am thrilled to announce Affinity Law Group, LLC has combined with Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C., effective Monday February 19, 2024.

 

Why Sandberg Phoenix?  In my months of discussions with Sandberg Phoenix, it became crystal clear the combination provided immediate demonstrable benefits for our clients. With multiple offices in Missouri, Illinois, and Florida, and attorneys licensed in additional states, we will provide Affinity clients unparalleled support and bench strength in the practice areas in which Affinity historically excels such as corporate law (including mergers & acquisitions), employment law, and wealth transfer planning. As a result, Affinity clients will receive more proactive communication, improved responsiveness, and faster turnaround times on legal projects.  In addition, because Sanberg Phoenix is a full-service law firm, Affinity clients will gain access to additional practice areas including intellectual property, tax advice and controversy, as well as fiduciary/trust, employment, and commercial litigation.  Affinity clients will enjoy the opportunity to have one firm to address their needs across all practice areas and across the country.

 

In addition, the values of Sandberg Phoenix and Affinity align.  For example, “We Put People First”. The Affinity team will be joining Sandberg Phoenix – my colleague, Jason Kinser, my Executive Assistant, Angie Brandt, and my Trusts and Estates Paralegal, Sienna Johnson, will all join Sandberg Phoenix, ensuring that Affinity clients experience a smooth transition and consistent staffing on their matters.  Janet Arrow, our Accounts Manager, will remain with Affinity during the transition period before exploring opportunities with Sandberg Phoenix.

 

For me personally, the combination with Sandberg Phoenix means I will have a full administrative team to support me, allowing me to forego many administrative responsibilities and spend my professional time doing what I love – partnering with my clients to navigate life’s transitions; developing innovative approaches to the issues, opportunities, and challenges that impact clients daily; mentoring and coaching attorneys and staff; and delving into the emerging technologies which will allow us to provide more efficient legal services to our clients now and in the future.

 

What do you, an Affinity client, need to do in the Affinity/Sandberg Phoenix combination?  Nothing!  Because of the transaction structure, all Affinity clients and matters automatically transfer to Sandberg Phoenix effective February 19, 2024. If you have active matters with money deposited in Affinity’s trust account, the deposits will automatically move to Sandberg Phoenix’s trust account during the transition. Your billing rates will not change because of the combination.  I will be personally overseeing the transition and your matters going forward.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me on my mobile phone at 314-608-9165.

 

My new contact information effective February 19th is:

 

E-mail: kbilderback@sandbergphoenix.com
Direct Dial: 314-425-6933
Mailing Address: 120 South Central Avenue, Suite 1600, Clayton, Missouri 63105

 

We will maintain our Des Peres office during the transition. Previously scheduled meetings will take place at the Des Peres location unless you prefer to meet in Clayton.

 

Please note: if you have active matters, you will receive a final invoice from Affinity for work performed on or before February 18, 2024, payable to Affinity Law Group, LLC under our customary terms and conditions.  Legal work performed on or after February 19, 2024, will be billed by and owed to Sandberg Phoenix. To learn more about Sandberg Phoenix, visit www.sandbergphoenix.com.

 

One of Sandberg Phoenix’s values is “We Wow Our Clients Everyday”. With the best wishes of Affinity’s Emeritus Members Bob Guest and Ira Potter, Jason, Angie, Sienna, and I, along with the Sandberg Phoenix team, anticipate the opportunity to “Wow” you in the weeks, months, and years to come. 

 

Thank you for your business, friendship, and support over the years. I look forward to serving you at Sandberg Phoenix for many years to come.

 

Sincerely,

Kathleen Bilderback, JD, LLM