Lawrence J. Wadsack
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Biography
Lawrence J. Wadsack practices in the areas of governmental and public institutions law. He advises school districts and other public entities on open-meetings laws, the First Amendment, school and religion, student and employee dress codes, student discipline, search and seizure, administrative matters, and employee discipline and termination. He has dealt extensively with how social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter impact these areas of governmental entities, and their staffs and students.
Mr. Wadsack has conducted and prosecuted numerous administrative personnel hearings. He has litigated constitutional issues including speech and religious rights under the First Amendment, and due-process, equal protection, and search and seizure cases under the Fourth Amendment. In addition, he has defended negligence claims brought against schools and other public entities.
He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Saint Louis University School of Law.
Representative Clients
- Ferguson-Florissant School District
- Rockwood School District
- City of Festus, Missouri
- Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Weldon Spring, Missouri and Festus, Missouri
Community Service & Awards
- Special Olympics Missouri, Endowment Fund, 2010-2014
- Special Olympics Missouri, Board of Directors, 2007-2014
- St. Louis Zoo Friends Association
- Moolah Shriners, St. Louis, Missouri
- The BackStoppers of St. Louis, Family Friend Committee, 2000 – Present
Lectures & Legal Publications
- Presenter, Student Discipline Issues, Missouri School Boards’ Association Conference, Fall 2015
- “Guidance on the Administration of Student Discipline,” MASSP/MCCTA Fall Conference, 2015
- “Trending Issues in Education Law 2014,” MASSP/MCCTA Fall Conference, 2014
- Presenter, School Violence Issues, Missouri School Boards’ Association Conference, Fall 2012
- “Legal and Ethical Issues for School Counselors Workshop,” Missouri School Counselor Association Conference, Fall 2011
- “Students 2011: Bullying, Smartphones, Sexting and More…,” Missouri School Boards’ Association Conference, Fall 2011
- Presenter on First Amendment Rights, 2008-2009
- Presenter, School Law Seminars, 2005-2006
- Facilitator, School Violence Prevention Summit, 2000
- Note, The Plain Touch Doctrine and Confusion following U.S. v. Dickerson: The Terry Frisk Needs an Expansion, Saint Louis University Law Journal, Vol. 39, No. 3, Spring, 1995
Practice Areas
- Education
- Government & Public Agencies
- Litigation
Bar Admissions
- United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 1997
- Supreme Court of Missouri, 1996
- Supreme Court of Illinois, 1997
Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
- J.D., magna cum laude, 1996
- Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri
- B.S., cum laude, Criminal Justice, 1977
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- The Missouri Bar
- Illinois State Bar Association
- St. Louis Municipal League
- Missouri Municipal League
- Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- National Council of School Attorneys
- Missouri School Safety Association
- St. Louis County Bar Association
- F.B.I National Academy Associates, Past President, 1994
Employment History
- Lashly & Baer, P.C.
Member, 2005 – Present
Associate, 1996 – 2005 - St. Louis County Police Department
1970 – 1996
Plan Your Visit
Lashly & Baer, P.C.
ST. LOUIS OFFICE
ILLINOIS OFFICE
20 East Main Street
Belleville, IL 62220
Map & Directions
By Appointment Only
Call: 618-233-5587
Fax: 314-621-6844