Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Black.
Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Highland, Illinois, a small rural farm town outside of St. Louis, where I first got hooked on the idea of becoming a lawyer in sixth grade. My class did a mock trial, and I became obsessed with building the strongest theory of the case and convincing our jurors, my classmates, to rule in our favor. My theory ended up winning, and I remember thinking, “This is it. This is what I want to do.”
Since then, my path in the law has taken a few different turns. I started my career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Madison County, Illinois, then moved into civil defense, where I traveled to 32 states and took hundreds of depositions. Eventually, I found my passion in representing injured people, especially railroad workers and families impacted by deadly grade crossing crashes. It is a complex and high stakes area of law where the people you are fighting for often feel outmatched. I love stepping into that gap.
As a woman practicing in two traditionally male dominated spaces, litigation and railroad law, I quickly learned how valuable it is to have a strong network. That is what led me to the Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis. I have been an officer for the last several years and now serve as president. The organization has been a source of mentorship, friendship, and advocacy, and I am proud of the work we are doing to elevate and support women in the legal profession.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. As a woman in trial practice, especially in railroad litigation, I have had to navigate moments of being sidelined, talked over, or underestimated. One example that stands out is a mediation I attended for a case I had worked on from start to finish. I handled the discovery, depositions, site inspection, and expert development. Despite that, the mediator repeatedly deferred to the male partner on our team. At one point, he asked to meet with him privately and excluded me entirely. Afterward, the client asked, “Why weren’t you in there? You know this case better than anyone.” That moment really stuck with me.
Another experience happened during trial. I was part of a fantastic team, and during the first two days, my male co-counsel presented witnesses with very few objections from the defense. But when I stood up to examine a witness on day three, everything changed. The lead (male) defense attorney started objecting constantly, to nearly every question I asked. It became so obvious that I half expected him to object when I said, “No further questions.” The judge overruled nearly all of them, and ultimately, the jury returned a unanimous $25 million verdict for our client. The jury could tell what was happening, and I think they respected how I handled it.
These experiences are frustrating, but they also push me to keep showing up, doing the work, and making space where it is not always given. That is part of why I care so deeply about supporting other women in this field. The more we share these stories and name the barriers, the better chance we have of changing the culture.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis (President); attorney at Gray Ritter Graham?
I currently serve as President of the Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis, an organization that has supported women in the legal profession since 1976 through mentorship, education, community involvement, and advocacy. WLA was founded at a time when women faced significant barriers to becoming judges, advancing in their careers, and accessing mentorship and professional support. While progress has been made, many of those core issues still persist in different forms today. Inequality of pay, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and the ongoing expectation that women manage both professional demands and caregiving responsibilities continues to impact women in the law. The WLA provides a space fully focused on addressing those challenges and uplifting women attorneys at all stages of their careers. We offer continuing legal education, mentorship, leadership development, networking opportunities, and advocacy related to judicial appointments and professional advancement. Through our WLA Foundation, we fund scholarships for local law students and support initiatives that promote equity, visibility, and access within the profession.
One of the most meaningful programs supported by the Foundation is the Portrait Project, which began in 2017 to honor retired women judges from St. Louis City and County. When WLA was formed, there were no women serving on the bench in either jurisdiction. As more women have reached retirement, their absence from courthouse walls has become striking. The Portrait Project commissions and installs original paintings of these trailblazing judges in the very courtrooms where they served, creating a visible and lasting legacy. To date, seven portraits have been installed, with more to come in fall 2025. The project was recently honored with the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations Outstanding Member Program Award.
Outside of WLA, I am a trial attorney at Gray Ritter Graham, where I represent individuals and families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, with a particular focus on railroad injury litigation and grade crossing crashes. GRG is known for its depth of experience in complex trial work and its commitment to preparation, integrity, and client centered advocacy. Whether through WLA or in the courtroom, my work is rooted in purpose, compassion, and a desire to help people feel seen and supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
This year, I am also preparing for a new chapter, expecting my first child this fall. As I navigate pregnancy while leading WLA and continuing my litigation practice, I have been incredibly grateful for the support of my colleagues, mentors, and even the railroaders and clients I serve. Their encouragement and understanding have been a powerful reminder of how much community matters, both inside and outside the courtroom.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I always welcome collaboration, especially when it comes to supporting women in the legal profession, building community, or strengthening access to justice. Through the Women Lawyers’ Association, there are many ways to get involved, whether it is attending events, joining a committee, becoming a mentor, or supporting the WLA Foundation and its scholarship work. We enjoy working with other bar associations, law firms, schools, and community organizations that share our mission of advancing equity and opportunity in the profession.
In my legal practice, I am open to referrals, co-counsel opportunities, or connecting with others to strategize on complex or serious injury cases, including railroad litigation. I believe that strong collaboration and shared insight lead to better outcomes for clients and better experiences for the lawyers doing the work. I also welcome conversations with anyone looking for guidance or connection in building a meaningful career in trial practice or navigating the profession as a woman.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grgpc.com/professionals/stephanie-black | https://wlastl.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-a-black/
