Courtney Otis

Competent and recognized, but communication could improve

I hired Courtney Otis at Gausnell, O'Keefe & Thomas to handle a dispute with a contractor over significant cost overruns and project delays on a commercial renovation in St. Louis. Given her recognition in Construction Law by Best Lawyers, I felt confident in her technical expertise, which proved accurate. Her analysis of the contract clauses and her strategy for initial negotiations were sharp and well-founded. She clearly leveraged her background from Saint Louis University effectively. However, the experience was mixed. While her legal work was solid, communication was sometimes a challenge. There were periods of several days where I received no updates on developments, and responses to my emails were occasionally slower than I would have preferred for a matter with tight deadlines. My expectations for a more proactive flow of information weren't fully met. That said, she successfully resolved the dispute through mediation, achieving a favorable settlement without needing to escalate to full litigation. For straightforward legal matters where you need a competent attorney with recognized knowledge, particularly in construction or IP given her profile, Courtney is capable. Just be prepared to manage the communication timeline more actively yourself.